What is the Sauk Prairie Foundation for Academic Excellence (SPFFAE)?
The Sauk Prairie Foundation for Academic Excellence is a non-profit organization governed by a group of dedicated business, community, and education representatives. The purpose of the SPFFAE is to provide financial aid in the form of scholarships to be awarded exclusively to Sauk Prairie High School students who have achieved academic excellence and plan to pursue a post-secondary education.
The SPFFAE was established in 1987. The value of the scholarships awarded to SPHS students has grown dramatically since then due to the tremendous generosity of our scholarship donors. SPFFAE awarded scholarships totaling over $89,000 to 91 students from the Class of 2009.
How can a SPFFAE scholarship be established?
Are there guidelines to follow when establishing a SPFFAE scholarship?
How can donations be made to the SPFFAE without creating a specific scholarship?
How can students apply for SPFFAE scholarships?
What happens on the SPFFAE Senior Scholarship Awards Night?
How are SPFFAE scholarship funds distributed?
Who are the members of the SPFFAE board?
What are the foundation's investment and finance policies?
How can a SPFFAE scholarship be established?
Scholarships can be established as Memorials or Trusts which may have guidelines for selecting the recipient(s) of the scholarship. Scholarships will be permanent, non-permanent or annual.
Permanent scholarships are donated as a lump sum and are awarded annually from the earnings on the investment of this money. The non-permanent scholarships are donated as lump sums, but the scholarships awarded are a specific amount taken from the earnings and principal of the invested funds. Eventually the non-permanent scholarships will cease to exist. For both of these types of scholarships, donors can add to the principal at any time.
Annual scholarship donors send a check to SPFFAE for the amount to be awarded each year.
Are there guidelines to follow when establishing a SPFFAE scholarship?
All scholarships awarded through the SPFFAE must meet the following guidelines:
1. Recipients must be Sauk Prairie High School graduates and attending an accredited institution.
2. Scholarships for less than $100 will be given as part of the endowment fund.
3. The SPFFAE's Dollars for Scholars Donor Form should be completed and turned in to SPFFAE by March 1st. These forms can be printed, picked up from the High School Counseling Office, or mailed to potential donors. Call Stacy at 643-5910 or write to SPFFAE at 105 Ninth Street, Prairie du Sac, 53578 for more information.
4. Donations for scholarships should be received by SPFFAE no later than March 1st .
5. Criteria for the scholarship may be defined by the donor on the donor form, provided that they are consistent with the policies of the SPFFAE. (Please see back of donor form for our policies.) This is to ensure that they are non-discriminatory, and are in conformance with tax laws. If specific criteria are not defined or chosen, scholarships will be awarded to the most eligible student as determined by the SPFFAE Scholarship Selection Committee.
How can donations be made to the SPFFAE without creating a specific scholarship?
Many of our donors contribute to the endowment fund rather than establishing their own scholarships. Scholarships from the endowment fund are acknowledged in the program given to the participants and guests during the SPFFAE Senior Scholarship Awards night.
Questions regarding the establishment of a scholarship or making a contribution to the endowment fund should be directed to:
Ardell Passehl
SPFFAE Treasurer
Bank of Prairie du Sac
Box 130
555 Park Avenue
Prairie du Sac, WI 53578
How can students apply for SPFFAE scholarships?
By early spring, applications will be available in the SPHS Counseling Office and seniors will be informed of the application process. Parents of all seniors will also receive letters notifying them of the SPFFAE scholarship application process.
Turning in a completed application form by the deadline will allow current seniors at Sauk Prairie High School to be considered for scholarships administered by the SPFFAE. The SPFFAE selection committee evaluates the applications and then matches qualified students with the scholarships available. All final selections are kept confidential until the SPFFAE Senior Scholarship Awards Night in May. At this special event, a SPFFAE representative will present each scholarship to the proud recipient.
Application Form
What happens on the SPFFAE Senior Scholarship Awards Night?
The SPFFAE Senior Scholarship Awards Night takes place each May. In April, all scholarship donors will receive an invitation which will include the time and location of our awards celebration. The scholarship donors who are able to attend will be introduced. Donors who are unable to attend will also be acknowledged.
Everyone in attendance at the SPFFAE Senior Scholarship Awards Night will be given a description of all scholarships awarded. As each scholarship recipient's name is read, the student will come to the podium and receive information regarding the scholarships donor's name, the amount of the scholarship, and instructions on how to collect the funds.
Following the awards ceremony, there will be a reception. At that time the donors will have an opportunity to meet the recipients of their scholarships.
How are SPFFAE scholarship funds distributed?
After the SPFFAE receives confirmation that the recipient has completed one semester and is enrolled in a second semester of an accredited post-secondary educational institution, the scholarship funds are distributed.
SPHS students who receive SPFFAE scholarships appreciate the donors' generous gifts. Out scholarship recipients have been very conscientious about sending a personal letter to thank the donors for their financial support.
PROCEDURE TO REQUEST SCHOLARSHIP MONEY
Students who are awarded a scholarship will be presented with a letter explaining the name and amount of the scholarship and to whom a thank you should be sent. COPY OF FIRST SEMESTER GRADES AND PROOF OF SECOND SEMESTER REGISTRATION IN AN ACCREDITED POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION IS NECESSARY PRIOR TO DISBURSEMENT OF FUNDS. Funds may be requested by contacting:
Ardell Passehl
SPFFAE Treasurer
Bank of Prairie du Sac
Box 130
555 Park Avenue
Prairie du Sac, WI 53578
