Important:
- You will need to create a free Submittable account in order to submit to these forms. Here is a quick guide on how to get started: https://submittable.help/submitters/making-new-submissions/how-do-i-submit
- You can save a draft of your work if you would like to finish filling out the form at a later date.
- We will follow-up with you about your submission by email. Please be sure the email address you used to sign up for your Submittable Account is one that you check regularly.
Who may apply for these grants?
This grant is available for the 2024-2025 school year to any elementary or secondary classroom teacher if they teach at a qualifying school listed below.
The list of qualifying schools includes: All Lubbock ISD schools, Abernathy, Aspermont, Childress, Chillicothe, Cotton Center, Crosbyton, Crowell, Frenship, Guthrie, Hale Center, Idalou, Jayton-Girard, Lorenzo, Lubbock-Cooper, Motley Co., New Deal, New Home, Paducah, Patton Springs, Petersburg, Post, Quanah, Ralls, Roosevelt, Ropesville, Shallowater, Slaton, Southland, Smyer and Spur. If you are teaching at a private or charter school, your application will be subject to eligibility verification.
How much are the grants?
There are a minimum of 10 Mini-Grants of $500 each available during the 2024-2025 school year for student-based projects or educational field trips that tie back to the subject you teach. Each Mini-Grant will be funded at the beginning of the 2024-2025 school year.
How will the applications be judged?
All applications will be screened by a volunteer committee related to education to select the finalists. The Operation Round Up Board of Directors will select recipients from the finalists.
Applications will be judged on the following criteria:
1. A project or educational field trip that demonstrates cooperation between students;
2. Appropriateness for age and grade levels;
3. A project or educational field trip that encourages a high level of student involvement;
4. A project or educational field trip that focuses on student learning;
5. Overall quality of the application and adherence to grant guidelines;
6. If you were a previous grant recipient and didn't fulfill the guidelines, it will affect your current eligibility.
Entries must be submitted online by Thursday, May 16, 2024, at 5 p.m.
What should be the focus of the proposal?
An eligible project or educational field trip should offer an expanded learning opportunity for your students that compliments and reinforces daily classroom studies. This is an opportunity to do something extra for your students. The project or field trip should be limited only by the imagination of you and your students and the resources you have available.
Each proposal must include the following information:
1. Name and address of your school district and specific campus;
2. Name and address of school district financial officer or campus accountant to receive check;
3. The name, school address, phone number and email address of the participating teacher(s);
4. The summer address and phone number for the participating teacher(s);
5. The grade level(s) and approximate size of participating class or classes;
6. A brief one-to two-page description of your project or educational field trip, which addresses the five criteria listed above;
7. Estimated time line for your project or educational field trip during the 2024-2025 school year;
8. A budget detailing all expenses;
9. What other funds are available/being requested for this project.
How can I use the money?
The money must be expended in compliance with your proposal for the 2025-2026 Operation Round Up Mini-Grant and within the 2025-2026 school year.
May the grant be used to extend/expand an existing project?
Yes, but in that case, clearly indicate the scope of the original project and for what part of the original project you plan to use the Operation Round Up Mini-Grant.
What kind of documentation or “final report” is required?
Each Mini-Grant winner must submit a written final report on their project or educational field trip, with pictures (with parental permission for print and online use). We would like to feature your class and project in the Texas Co-op Power magazine and on the South Plains Electric Cooperative website and Facebook pages. The final report must be mailed or emailed to Whitney Bryant by January 16, 2025, at South Plains Electric Cooperative, P.O. Box 1830, Lubbock, TX 79408 or wbryant@SPEC.coop. If emailing photos, send the largest size possible and attach only one picture per email. You can also use Dropbox to share the photos.
For more information, contact: Whitney Bryant at 806.775.7829 or wbryant@SPEC.coop.
Instructions:
- You must attach your high school transcript (social security number must be marked out) and one letter of recommendation.
- Seniors must be attending a qualifying school.
- Your parent or stepparent must be employed by SPEC.
- Applications must be completed online.
- If you have any questions, contact Whitney Bryant at South Plains Electric Cooperative at (806) 775-7829 or wbryant@spec.coop. If you experience any technical difficulties, contact support at support@submittable.com.
- Applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by 5 p.m. on February 17, 2025.
Eligibility
The Scholarship is available to an entering freshman who is a:
- member, or
- is a spouse, child or stepchild of a member, or
- child whose guardian is a member of the Cooperative; or
- person living in a home where the landlord is a member.
Applicants must reside in the Cooperative service area; participate in Operation Round Up; and attend a qualifying school. If you are not currently participating in Operation Round Up, we’ll automatically enroll you when you submit the scholarship application.
The qualifying schools are: Abernathy, Anton, Aspermont, Childress, Chillicothe, Coronado, Cotton Center, Crosbyton, Crowell, Estacado, Floydada, Frenship, Guthrie, Hale Center, Idalou, Jayton-Girard, Lorenzo, Lubbock-Cooper, Lubbock, Monterey, Motley Co., New Deal, New Home, Olton, Paducah, Patton Springs, Petersburg, Plainview, Post, Quanah, Ralls, Roosevelt, Ropesville, Rotan, Shallowater, Slaton, Southland, Smyer, Spur and Wilson. If you are attending a private school, charter school or are home-schooled within one of our local communities, choose "other" for school. Service Territory Map: https://www.arcgis.com/apps/mapviewer/index.html?webmap=033a6db4b71d4537996e87803fc0329e&extent=-102.5887%2C32.8424%2C-99.0703%2C34.5086
Operation Round Up Scholarships are available, each for $1,500, payable $750 for each of two semesters through the freshman year. Satisfactory scholastic performance and appropriate personal standards must be maintained for continuing eligibility. Students must possess the qualities of honor, integrity, thrift and good moral character. The Selection Committee evaluates each student on financial need (35 points), community and school activities (25 points), awards and honors (15 points), academics (10 points) and educational goals (15 points). The information provided in the essay questions is very valuable to the Selection Committee.
Instructions:
- You must attach your high school transcript that includes the first semester of your senior year (social security number must be marked out) and one letter of recommendation.
- Seniors must be attending a qualifying school.
- Applications must be completed online.
- If you have any questions, contact Whitney Bryant at South Plains Electric Cooperative at (806) 775-7829 or wbryant@spec.coop. If you experience any technical difficulties, contact support at support@submittable.com or 855-467-8264.
- Applications and all supporting documents must be submitted by 5 p.m. on Monday, February 17, 2025.