NC ABANA Scholarships
The W. Dean Taylor Memorial Scholarship Fund was created by NC ABANA for members to attend blacksmithing classes and workshops. Scholarship funds may be used to cover tuition, room, and board only. Other expenses are the responsibility of the recipient. Funds are to be used to attend recognized schools or workshops for hands-on blacksmithing and may not be used to attend conferences or similar events. Funds will be paid by the Treasurer directly to the school or institution attended.
Any member of the Chapter who has been a member at least one full year prior to his/her application will be eligible for a scholarship. Applicants are responsible for obtaining information about available courses and workshops. Applicants for a scholarship should submit a completed and signed application form. In the event that the course or workshop is canceled, the recipient is allowed a second choice. Scholarships winners will not be eligible for another scholarship for the next three years. View or download NC ABANA Application for Scholarship. (PDF))
Each year the Chapter offers one or more scholarships in an amount up to $1000. The Board of Directors will decide the number of scholarships to be awarded depending on available funds. Scholarship winners will be chosen by the Board of Directors or by a committee appointed by the Board. Board members who wish to apply for a scholarship will not participate in the decision.
Applications may be submitted to any Board Member at any time and will be acted on at the next Board of Directors Meeting after receipt. Winners will be notified immediately, and announced in the next issue of the Hot Iron Sparkle. Scholarships must be used within one year of their approval.
Scholarship winners agree to the following obligations:
- Upon completion of the course or workshop, the recipients will submit a written report, with photos if possible, for publication in the Newsletter.
- Recipients will give a demonstration of some technique that was learned in the class at a chapter or area meeting within six months of completion of the class.
- Recipients will donate some object to the Chapter Auction.
Scholarship Funds are obtained from donations, "Iron-in-the-Hat" drawings, Fair sales receipts, and special fund raising projects. The Board of Directors may transfer funds from the General Fund to the Scholarship Fund at its discretion.
OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS
Chapter members should be aware that in addition to the W. Dean Taylor Memorial Scholarship Fund, there are other sources of money for blacksmithing education. Francis Whitaker has been instrumental in setting up several such funds, most recently at the John C. Campbell Folk School where there is a scholarship fund in his name.
ABANA members should check with the ABANA office at P.O. Box 206, Washington, MO. 63090 about other possibilities.

