The Paula Kovarick Segalman Family Scholarship Fund For ALS
Paula Kovarick Segalman was born and raised in Stroudsburg, PA. After graduating from Stroudsburg High School in 1971, she attended Juniata College, and earned a bachelor's degree in nursing in 1976 from East Stroudsburg University.
She moved to New York City in 1986 and took a nursing job at New York University Hospital. She married Dr. Keith A. Segalman, an orthopedic surgeon, in 1990. The Segalman’s eventually moved to Baltimore, MD and had two daughters, Lily and Olivia.
Paula was an accomplished athlete. During her teenage years, she became a noted equestrian and open jumper and traveled throughout the United States riding her horse, Burgundy. When living in New York City, she continued riding in Central Park and learned to sail on Long Island Sound. Paula was also an avid skier, competitive tennis player and loved to travel.
In 2008, Paula was diagnosed with ALS, Lou Gehrig’s disease and passed away on May 8, 2015.
In 2016, the Segalman family established The Paula Kovarick Segalman Family Scholarship Fund for ALS to provide educational funding to students affected by ALS.
ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease is a fatal disease affecting families physically, emotionally and financially. The cost of care for someone with ALS can exceed $250,000 a year. The fund looks to alleviate some of the additional financial burdens that families will face when paying for college.
SCHOLARSHIP DESCRIPTION
Scholarship is awarded to one individual per year, up to $5,000 (award may not exceed tuition balance)
- Students must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent)
- Funds must be used for payment of tuition only (not including boarding, books or fees)
- Funds may only be applied to schools within the United States
- Payment will be made to an institution or corporation directly, and not to an individual
- Students may re-apply each year, but priority will be given to first time applicants
ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Applicant must have a parent or legal guardian currently battling ALS or who has passed away from the disease
- Applicant must be a legal resident of Washington, D.C, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, South Carolina or Northern Ohio
- Applicant must have an annual household income of less than $100,000
- Applicant must attend or be accepted to school full-time (as defined by the educational institution) at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university or not-for-profit vocational-technical school
SELECTION OF RECIPIENTS
Recipient will be selected by The ALS Association - DC/MD/VA Chapter and Segalman Family Selection Committee. Applicants may be asked to interview with the selection committee, following the submission of their application.
All applicants will be notified whether or not they are the recipient by August 1st. Only one recipient will be selected.
PAYMENT
Checks will be mailed directly to the school named in the student’s application.
Payments will be made in two installments, split evenly over two semesters.
REVISIONS
The Paula Kovarick Segalman Family Scholarship Fund for ALS reserves the right to review the conditions and procedures of this scholarship program and to make changes at any time. Scholarships will be awarded based on availability of funds.
HOW TO APPLY
Interested students must complete an application found here and mail it along with an official transcript of grades, two (2) letters of recommendation (personal and academic) and a 500-word essay describing how ALS has impacted him/her. Other requirements are listed on the application. Application deadline is May 1st for fall semester (for August payment of funds).
CONTACT
Bridgit Phelps, Managing Director Development
[email protected] or 240-428-9604
