The Junior Auxiliary of Meridian has announced its national organization is currently accepting applications for its annual graduate scholarship program, which has been awarding scholarships for deserving students for more than 60 years.
The National Association of Junior Auxiliaries Inc., based in Greenville, awards graduate scholarships to individuals who work, or plan to work, directly with children, according to a NAJA news release.
Applicants must be pursuing graduate-level studies for one year in fields which address the needs of children and youth. These areas of study include, but are not limited to, counseling, psychology, mental development, special education, speech pathology, exceptional children, remedial skills development, hearing impaired and gifted and talented.
The National Association of Junior Auxiliaries, founded on the principles of helping children and making a difference in their lives, is made up of nearly 100 JA chapters throughout Arkansas, Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee, including the Junior Auxiliary of Meridian.
Since it was founded in 1962, the NAJA Graduate Scholarship Program has awarded more than 600 scholarships, totaling more than $1.5 million, to students pursuing graduate studies in fields addressing the special needs of children and youth.
Applicants for the graduate scholarship must be a U.S. citizen and a permanent resident of states with a JA chapter, as well as have plans to attend a U.S. college or university for full-time or part-time study.
Instructions and application forms are available on the NAJA website beginning Sept. 1 through the Feb. 1 deadline at najanet.org/naja-scholarships. Scholarship recipients will be announced in April.