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Thunderbird Assistance Fund for Asian Students (TAFAS) |
TAFAS Greater China Alumni Scholarship
Life-Changing Awards for Future Global Leaders
Thunderbird Alumni in Greater China, in cooperation with the non-profit 501 (c) 3 Kearny Alliance (www.Kearnyalliance.org), awards scholarships annually to outstanding entering student/s dedicated to creating sustainable, inclusive prosperity.
The scholarship is made possible by the generosity of Thunderbird alumni of many nationalities who want give the gift of Thunderbird educations to students with the potential to make a difference in the world. Funds raised by alumni are matched dollar for dollar by The Kearny Alliance’s Thunderbird Assistance Fund for Asian Students (TAFAS) program.
History
The Hong Kong Chapter of the Thunderbird Alumni Association created a scholarship in response to a challenge from Merle A. Hinrichs ’65, founder and executive chairman of Global Sources (NASDAQ-GS: GSOL), who asserts that "Thunderbird Alumni are the school's endowment". TAFAS is a “call to action” for alumni, and alumni chapters in China and Hong Kong, specifically.
The program’s goal is to encourage, enhance, and engage alumni and alumni chapters to take an active role in the development of Thunderbird’s future by contributing to the education of other Chinese students. In 2010, the Hong Kong, Beijing, and Shanghai funds were combined and the scholarship was renamed TAFAS Greater China Alumni Scholarship. As of 2011, TAFAS has awarded scholarships to five outstanding individuals.
Method
The Kearny Alliance has been pledged $300,000 to act as a catalyst for alumni participation. Each dollar donated by alumni in support of TAFAS will be matched by the Kearny Alliance, up to the $300,000 threshold. The program aims to support up to (4) students per year with full-tuition assistance.
Alumni chapters in these areas will be in charge of gathering support and donations, recruiting potential recipients, and identifying a recipient according to Thunderbird requirements. This recipient will, in turn, take on the responsibility of participating in future TAFAS efforts including but not limited to recruiting potential candidates, mentoring, fundraising, PR and raising awareness for philanthropic giving among Thunderbird alums.
Criteria
• Must be a citizen of mainland China;
• Passion for global trade;
• Plan to return to Greater China after graduation;
• Demonstrate financial need; and
• Meet Thunderbird’s admission requirements and have been offered admission.
Application Process
• The Greater China Chapter will recruit prospective students through personal contact, online postings and recruitment fairs.
• Prospective students will apply for admission to Thunderbird.
• The Scholarship Committee reviews and selects the top candidates.
• The top candidates’ applications are sent to the Greater China Chapter liaison for ranking.
• The Greater Chapter liaison sends their selection to the Scholarship Committee, where final approval is made.
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