ABOUT RCI

The John & Betty Pope Fellowship

About the Program

The John and Betty Pope Fellowship in Caregiving is a unique program of the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving at Georgia Southwestern State University. The fellowship provides financial support for outstanding individuals pursuing training and careers in fields related to caregiving, and provides a structure and course of study intended to prepare them for leadership in the field.

Fellows must be enrolled in the Caregiver Specialist Certificate program at GSW. The certificate program of study includes courses in psychology, nursing, sociology and special education taken over up to four years of study at GSW.

This Certificate is the only one of its kind and represents a unique commitment of Georgia Southwestern State University to prepare leaders in the field of Caregiving. The certificate program helps students:

• Understand the societal challenges of caregiving including challenges to our health care system, the economy, communities and more.
• Expand their career options.
• Prepare them for leadership positions in the field.
• Prepare for advanced training in a field of study related to caregiving.

Progress as a Fellow

Fellowships are awarded for a single year, but fellows in good standing are encouraged to apply for renewal each year, for up to four years of support. The focus of the student's work during the first two years of award must include progress toward fulfilling the core requirrments of the Certificate (9 credit hours in three courses). Funding for a third and fourth year requires the fellow to propose an in-depth service-learning project to be completed during the year of study.

More information about the Certificate Program is available here. Enrollment in the Certificate Program is open to ALL students attending Georgia Southwestern State University and is NOT limited to Pope Fellows.

Fellowship Eligibility

Award of Pope Fellowships is currently limited to students pursuing a degree program at Georgia Southwestern State University and who are or will be enrolled in the "Caregiver Specialist Certificate" at GSW. Applicants must have a grade point average of 3.0 as well as an established interest in academic study related to caregiving or a record of outstanding professional or informal caregiving. In addition, Pope Fellows must:

• Enroll for minimum of 12 credit hours each semester (undergraduate) or 9 credit hours (graduate) for a full award.
• Maintain of minimum 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA).
• Attend Pope Fellowship orientation and other required meetings.
• Make steady progress in fulfilling requirements of the Caregiver Specialist Certificate

Amount of Awards

The amount of the award is determined annually and has ranged from $3000 - $5000 per academic year.

Application Instructions

Fellowship Applicants should submit:

• An application form postmarked by February 15, 2008.
• Official grade transcripts mailed directly to the Rosalynn Carter Institute (800 Georgia Southwestern State University Drive, Americus, Georgia 31709)
  
• A resume/vita.
• A detailed description of the applicant's interests, experience, and aspirations related to caregiving.
• Two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicant's academic, professional, and/or caregiving background. Letters from family members are not appropriate.

Download Brochure here

Download Application here

Selection Process

Application materials are reviewed by the Pope Fellowship Awards Committee; finalists are interviewed in person. Send applications and related materials to:

Pope Fellowship Awards Committee
Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving
Georgia Southwestern State University
800 GSW Drive
Americus, GA 31709