The Central States Rotary Youth Exchange (CSRYE) Robert W. Shoemaker Jr. Grant is a need-based grant and is awarded based on demonstrated financial need.

Eligibility:

• Applicant must be sponsored by a member district of the Central States Rotary Youth Exchange Program, Inc.
• Acceptance by the sponsoring Rotary District offering a Long-Term Exchange Program
• Maximum family income thresholds:
  • US Students, US$ 80,944*
  • Canadian Students, CDN$ 102,831 

Application:

Students who apply for the CSRYE Robert W. Shoemaker Jr. Rotary Youth Exchange Grant must submit the following items together:

• Scanned copy of completed and signed grant application form: this is a fillable pdf form – please use a computer to complete the form fields prior to printing and signing.
• CSRYE Outbound Application: copy of the front page.
• Transcript: of cumulative C+ (2.75 Grade Point Average on a 4.0 scale) or equivalent.
• Financial Documents: o Parents: Income tax returns for the prior tax year (IRS Form 1040 / Canadian T1 Form). Only the first page(s) that show gross income and number of dependents is needed.
• Essay from Student: “What issue facing the world today are you as a Rotary Exchange Student the most passionate about, and what can we do to affect positive change in this area?”
• Letter from Student: describe what you have done to: 1. raise money for your exchange; 2. what types of services have you provided to your community and others; and 3. what activities are you involved in?
• Letter from parents: describe your support for your son’s/daughter’s decision to be a Rotary Youth Exchange Student and the need for financial assistance.
• Optional additional supporting data: please provide any other documentation that would assist the review committee in determining suitability for the award.

All information provided is confidential and only available to those authorized by CSRYE.

Award:

Grants are awarded based on financial need. Amount of award will vary depending on availability of funds but shall not exceed $5,000 for any student. The actual amount of total award will be determined by CSRYE Selection Panel. The Selection Panel shall have the latitude to determine the distribution of funds among the chosen applicants. Award and amount of the grant shall be approved by two thirds vote of the Selection Panel present. The Panel decision will be based on content of the materials presented. The decision of the members will be final and not subject to appeal. 

Number of awards will vary depending on the number of applications selected and the availability of funds.

Award Match:

Not relevant to this grant application, but it is recommended that applicants also reach out to their sponsoring Rotary Club and District for additional financial support.

Application Deadline:

Applicants should submit their grant application as soon as their youth exchange application has been accepted and approved by CSRYE. Grant applications and supporting information must be received by the Selection Panel for:

• Summer Exchanges beginning July/August: No later than February 15th of the exchange year;
• Winter Exchanges beginning in January: No later than August 15th of the calendar year prior to exchange

Please EMAIL your application and documentation as instructed in the application. All applications must be submitted electronically; No paper copies will be accepted.

Selection Panel:

Grant Applications will be reviewed by the CSRYE Selection Panel. The Selection Panel is composed of (6) individuals and drawn from District Chairs, and Central States Correspondents. All staff members of CSRYE are ineligible to be a member of the Selection Panel. 

Conflicts of Interest:

Any member of the Robert W. Shoemaker Jr. Grant Selection Panel who is related to an applicant will recuse themselves from the review process to avoid a conflict of interest. The CSRYE President may elect to appoint a replacement for that specific exchange year.

Announcement of Award:

The District Rotary Youth Exchange Chair of the applicant will be responsible for notifying the applicant of the determination of the Selection Panel.

Disbursement:

All checks with be issued to the applicable District Rotary Youth Exchange Chair. The Rotary District will distribute the awarded funds to the successful applicants.

Questions:

All questions regarding the Central States Rotary Youth Exchange Robert W. Shoemaker Jr. Grant should be directed to your District Rotary Youth Exchange Chair.

Please contact your local representatives for a copy of this year’s application.