John & Betty Pope Fellowship Program

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 GSW and in the Caregiver Certificate program at GSW. This Certificate (Caregiving Issues and Management 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:
• Analyze a caregiver’s circumstances, needs, strengths, goals and cognitive abilities, cultural and spiritual situation.
• Translate information across healthcare systems and healthcare providers.
• Assist family caregivers in identifying and accessing community and regional services in healthcare settings.
• Participate in an interdisciplinary team approach utilizing multiple health care and social service systems.
• Integrate knowledge and values of caregiving in an individual’s career field, including, but not limited to business, health care, education, social work, social services, psychology, and public health.
• Apply knowledge of evidenced-based caregiver programs to support diverse individuals, families, and communities across the lifespan.

The Caregiving Issues and Management Certificate program includes 18 credits – three courses (3 hour credits each- total 9 credit hours) are lower division (1000-2000) and three courses (3 hour credits each- total 9 credit hours) are upper division (3000-4000). Fellows are expected to make steady progress in the certificate program.

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.

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 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 Certificate Program
The current award amount is for $3500.00 per academic year.

Application Instructions

Fellowship Applicants should submit:
• An application form postmarked by March 1, 2012.
• 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.

Application materials are reviewed by the Pope Fellowship Awards Committee; finalists are interviewed in person. Contact information for inquiries regarding this fellowship opportunity: 229-928-1234 (Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving).