Scholarships

A great opportunity that the RTMA organization provides is the James M. Nieboer Scholarship. This scholarship is available to individuals truly interested in a career in the manufacturing and metal working field. Jobs are available for those with the skills developed from their technical education. The world runs on the high-quality expertise of men and women working in manufacturing.

Applications are available from:

Rochester Technology and Manufacturing Association
Attention: James M. Nieboer Scholarship Committee
2485 West Henrietta Rd. Suite 152
Rochester, New York 14623
585-292-3760

Please call 585-292-3760 for an application.

James M. Nieboer Scholarship Fund Guidelines
The purpose of the James M. Nieboer Scholarship Program is to assist deserving students who enroll in related instruction for the metalworking industry at an accredited community/junior college, technical post-secondary institution or highly regarded metal working training program. The RTMA hopes that the scholarship program will interest students for careers in the metal working industry while fostering the interest of the tooling and machining companies to train their workforce.

The Program
The Scholarship program consists of:

• Six full or equivalent partial scholarships at Monroe Community College
• Scholarships from the Rochester Area Foundation RTMA Scholarship Fund
• Scholarships from the RTMA Endowment Fund.

The James M. Nieboer scholarship will provide either full or partial monetary assistance for tuition, books and related fees for full and part time students or metal working related training. Scholarship continuation is subject to review and renewal by the RTMA Scholarship Committee at the end of each training period.

Scholarships can be for entry level training, intermediate skills ( CNC, Mold, Mill Wright, Precision sheet metal etc.) training, apprenticeship level training or related metal working training as long as it leads to a better qualified metalworking employee.

RTMA member companies are encouraged to offer students “work training employment” (after school, summers etc.) which will augment their career goals and allow them the ability to remain enrolled in school through completion.

Student Application, Eligibility and Selection

1. The field of study selected by the applicant must be related to a technical career in the industries represented by the membership of the RTMA. Specifically, the training must be in metal working technology; e.g. tooling & machining, die design, mold making, precision sheet metal, stamping, electric discharge machining, screw and gear machining, special machine building, plastics, quality, mechanical tech and manufacturing tech.
   
   
2. Student must be a high school graduate or have a GED with satisfactory performance in the prerequisites for the chosen field.
   
   
3. Student must have demonstrated or expressed a specific interest in the metal working industry and a desire to pursue additional education and training in the field. To fulfill this requirement the student should provide evidence of:
   • Participation in metal, shop or related vocational education courses while in school (not mandatory)
   • Having worked either full or part-time in the metalworking industry (not mandatory)
   • AND a written statement regarding the students career objectives in machining or manufacturing technology and how they would apply the skills learned to the metal working industry. Mandatory. Required only for first application.
   
   
4. Student must meet the entrance requirements of the participating college/school/training organization.
   
   
5. Student must apply and become accepted at the school/training facility they plan on attending (not including application fees, no expense is encumbered until the student is registered) Copy of acceptance letter must accompany scholarship application.
   
   
6. Recommended dates for submittal of applications to RTMI Scholarship Committee to be considered for:
   • Fall Training: Application submitted by: July 1st
   • Spring Training: Application submitted by: November 1st (These are suggested dates but applications will be accepted anytime)
   
   
7. Student must meet the normal employment standards of the participating member companies and be employable in the industry.
   
   
8. RTMA members and their families as well as veterans are given special consideration for acceptance. NOTE: the selection is to be in compliance with all Equal Employment Opportunities/Affirmative Action (EEO/AA) regulations and requirements.
   
   
9. Student must submit a complete application (available from the RTMA office by calling 585-292-3760) and provide all related backup material listed on this application. This scholarship is valid only for the course/semester applied for. A new application must be submitted for each semester or training course. There are NO automatic renewals. Funding will depend on successful completion of the initial course.
   
   
10. A Scholarship Committee will determine eligibility and awarding of the scholarships. This committee will consist of chapter industry members, educational members and the RTMA Executive Director.

Student Responsibilities:
The student shall meet the following criteria as conditions for receipt of scholarship money to continue participation in the James M. Nieboer Scholarship Program:

1. Fill out and submit a complete application prior to the beginning of each semester. Provide and follow all of the instructions on the scholarship application.
   
   
2. Maintain a "C" average in all trade related courses of study.
   
   
3. Remain in good academic standing in accordance with the requirements defined by the training organization. Academic probation will result in loss of any scholarship money coming and continued qualification for the scholarship.
   
   
4. Agree to authorize the release of academic transcripts to the appropriate RTMA member company in order for the member company to evaluate a student's progress and achievement for the purpose of job interviews.
   
   
5. Remain in the major curriculum area elected at the time of enrollment in the program. Any non-trade related courses of study would not be covered by this scholarship.
   
   
6. Comply with all conditions of employment imposed under work-study by the school (tours & shadowing), work-study employer or another employer without jeopardy to students individual performance.
   
   
7. Agree to the publication of students name in any public relations news releases.

Administration and Control

1. The RTMA Scholarship Committee is responsible for the selection and determination of all scholarship awards.
   
   
2. Upon selection the Scholarship Committee will notify both the training facility and student of the scholarship offer.
   
   
3. The RTMA Scholarship Committee will monitor the students progress and performance.
   
   
4. The Scholarship Committee will work with a designated official from selected training facility (most typically area high schools, vocational schools and BOCES programs) to identify sources of students and then to attract candidates by publicizing the scholarship program.
   
   
5. Level of funding for these scholarships will be provided by information received from sources including Monroe Community College Foundation, Rochester Area Foundation's - RTMA Scholarship Fund and RTMA Endowment Fund.
   
   
6. All questions related to, or requests for information on this program will be directed to the Executive Director of the RTMA. Address and phone number listed above.
   
   
7. The amount of each scholarship will not exceed the tuition, books and fees for the training facility to which the student is enrolling. In many cases, full time scholarships will include only tuition costs while partial scholarships will be awarded to defray costs to as many students as possible.
   
   
8. Upon notice of acceptance by the student, a check will be sent to the appropriate organization for the amount awarded. Normally no funds will be provided directly to a student. Other payment procedures may be established if required and agreed to in advance by both the college/school/training facility and the RTMA Scholarship Committee.
   
   
9. Should the student withdraw from classes without prior notice or approval by the RTMA Scholarship Committee, the student will be responsible for repayment of all tuition, books and fees paid for by the Scholarship Fund.