The Matt Piles EMS Memorial Scholarship awards medical education grants to qualifying individuals who strive to enter the EMS field and have shown a commitment to the profession. The goal of the fund is to support the education of individuals who are working towards entering the EMS field at its basic level (EMT), as well as EMT’s who are working toward their paramedic license in our rural communities.
Program Guidelines
- The scholarship fund will award up to 3 scholarships per calendar year.
- Scholarship categories/ maximum awards EMT student $750.00 Paramedic Student $1250.00
- Applicants must complete and submit required documentation by deadlines set.
Spring semester (December 1st) Fall Semester (July 1st) Summer Semester (April 1st) - Applicants may apply more than once a year but are limited to two awarded scholarships over a period of 3 years.
- This scholarship is not awarded for course work already taken.
- Scholarship payments are made directly to the educational program in the term for which the award is granted.
- Recipients will fully complete the EMS program for which scholarship is awarded. Recipient(s) who withdraw or discontinues the educational program prior to completion for reasons within his or her control (ie., dropping the course, academic dismissal for absences, etc.) must immediately refund scholarship funds. No refund will be required for recipient who is unable to continue in the EMS program for reasons beyond their control. Proof of reasons for program termination will be required.
- Recipient must maintain passing grades and remain in good standing throughout the course of study.
- Recipient must seek certification by testing upon completion of their EMS educational program.
- Recipient must sign contract agreeing to these scholarship guidelines.
Application Requirements
- Submit complete application
- A minimum of 2 letters of recommendation are required. Recommendations should provide at least the following information:
- Recommender’s name and Applicant’s name
- Recommender’s contact information including phone number, address and email
- Length of time acquainted with and relation to applicant.
(If the applicant is currently working for an EMS, Fire or Health Care Agency, one of the recommendations should be from a supervisor. Recommendations from relatives are not permitted)
- Applicants must submit a typed essay of no less than 300 words of why he/she wants to pursue a career in EMS.
Award Process
- Selection of recipients will be made without discrimination as to race, sex, creed or national origin.
- Only those applications which are complete and received by the deadline will be considered.
- Owensville Area Ambulance District administration and/or designees as well as a family member(s) of the Matt Piles will make up the committee to award the scholarship(s). OAAD will notify all applicants by email of the status of their application.
- The following criterial will be used in the scholarship selection process:
- Commitment to entering the EMS profession
- Financial need
- Dedication to the community
- Applicants living in rural Missouri which include the following counties. Gasconade, Franklin, Maries and Osage will be given preference in selection process
- The applicants will be notified of the awards to be distributed within 30 days of the deadlines of each semester.