The Smiley H. Waller Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of VEDA’s first Executive Director who served the organization for more than 15 years. The scholarship, funded by Smiley’s family is designed to assist VEDA members who are on track to earn an economic development professional certification. Applicants may use the scholarship for any generally accredited economic development program.
Application information is preferred to be in electronic (email) format for easy distribution to review committee; however, faxes will be accepted. The application shall consist of
- A VEDA Scholarship Request Form
- A resume
- Letter of support or recommendation from a superior or sponsor
- A one-page statement defining the applicant’s role in his/her community’s economic development efforts with potential impacts of that involvement.
- Copy of the budget for economic development from your organization, which clearly specifies total professional development funds available. Please list employer’s total number of employees.
The following rules apply:
- Applicant's job description must be clearly defined as economic development and applicant must have worked as an economic development practitioner for a minimum of two years.
- Individual must be a VEDA member prior to applying for a scholarship.
- Candidates representing public organizations will be given consideration in deference to applicants affiliated with private firms.
- Financial needs of the candidate’s organization will be given consideration.
- The scholarship is not transferable to another individual.
- The scholarship must be utilized within the calendar year in which it is awarded.
- One Smiley H. Waller Memorial Scholarship shall be awarded annually.
- Amount of scholarship will be determined by the amount of funding provided.
Dates, times and locations of these courses may be found in the Calendar section of this web site.
