Women in Public Finance is a non-profit, educational and professional networking organization for women in the public finance industry. Governed by a 16-member board of directors representing the areas of finance, banking, and law, the organization also sponsors a variety of philanthropic efforts, from fundraisers for abused women’s shelters to scholarships for college-bound women with an interest in finance.

What is Public Finance?
Public finance generally refers to how governments raise and spend money. Individuals who work in public finance help governments at all levels—national, state and local—obtain the necessary financial resources to pay for the services they provide, such as schools, roads, parks, water, police and fire protection, libraries and health care.

1. recognize college-bound high school females who have exhibited scholastic achievement, preferably with a demonstrated aptitude in mathematics, and demonstrated leadership skills;
2. encourage the consideration of careers in finance and, more specifically, public finance; and
3. provide an opportunity for award recipients to meet women established in the public finance area and expose young women to various career options and opportunities.

1. be a female college-bound high school student entering her senior year in the fall of 2010;
2. demonstrate aptitude in math (include a photocopy of unofficial high school transcript with the application);
3. demonstrate leadership skills through extracurricular activities, volunteer positions or work experience;
4. have an interest in pursuing a career in finance, government, nonprofits, or law; and
5. complete and return the scholarship application via e-mail or mail so that the application is RECEIVED no later than August 5, 2010 to:

Selection and Recognition

The Scholarship and Mentoring Committee of the Women in Public Finance will select up to five recipients who will each be awarded our Achievement Award and a scholarship in the amount of $2,000. The scholarship will be paid in the form of a check payable to the award recipient. Award recipients, along with a parent, guardian or teacher, will be invited to accept the Achievement Award and scholarship at the Women in Public Finance Annual Conference to be held on Thursday, September 23, 2010, at The Standard Club located at 320 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL. The Achievement Awards and scholarships are expected to be presented at 4:00 p.m. (Chicago time). (Note: Attendance at the annual conference is not required to receive the Achievement Award and scholarship).

Application

1. complete the scholarship application form including the required essays; and
2. submit the completed scholarship application with a photocopy of your most recent unofficial high school transcript to the Women in Public Finance Scholarship Committee at the address listed above or electronically to scholarship@wpfc.com so that the application is RECEIVED no later than August 5, 2010.