Rotary offers ambassadorial scholarships

Applications for the 2009-2010 Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships are now available from the Rotary Club of Arlington Heights - Sunrise.

The scholarships, designed to further international understanding and goodwill, provide for study abroad in more than 150 countries where Rotary clubs are located. Some 1,300 scholarships of various types will be available from clubs worldwide.

Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholars act as "ambassadors of goodwill." Through appearances before Rotary clubs and districts, schools, civic organizations, and other forums, the scholars represent their homelands and work to further international understanding.

Academic year ambassadorial scholarships are for one academic year abroad and provide funding for round-trip transportation, tuition and fees, room, board, some educational supplies, and language training, up to a maximum award of $25,000.

Also available are cultural ambassadorial scholarships, which provide funding for three or six months of intensive language study and cultural immersion in another country, including transportation, tuition and home stay expenses, up to a maximum of $12,000 and $19,000 respectively.

The Rotary Club of Arlington Heights - Sunrise must receive completed application packages by July 1.

For an application, contact Mary Stitt (847) 259-0671 or Rhonda Serafin (847) 718-7719.

The Rotary foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships program is the world's largest privately sponsored international scholarship program. Focused on humanitarian service, personal diplomacy, and academic excellence, the program has sponsored more than 34,000 Rotary Scholars since it began in 1947.