Financial Opportunities

through Illinois AER

Scholarships

News Release: Illinois AER Scholarships

ELIGIBILITY

The IAER awards yearly scholarships, up to $750, to student(s) holding junior or senior, graduate student, or post graduate status who is enrolled in class(es) leading to certification areas in the field of education/ rehabilitation for persons who are blind or visually impaired.  The applicant should reside or attend school in the state of Illinois.

The scholarship will be awarded in January/February 2010.

HOW TO APPLY

Scholarship applications can be obtained through any of the IAER board members and applications are also available at Northern Illinois University, Illinois State University, and Western Michigan University.

Click here to download the application

DEADLINES

The deadline for scholarship applications is November 1, 2009.

Applications can be mailed to:

Cindy Miller, IAER Scholarship Chairman

20 Lindell Drive

658 E. State Street

Jacksonville, Il 62650

or email to:

Cindy.N.Miller@illinois.gov

NORMA DEMARIO SCHOLARSHIP Congratulations to the following recipients of the 2008 Norma DeMario Memorial Scholarship: Sarah Piggott, Chicago, Illinois Western Michigan University, Graduate Program: O&M Elyse Heinrich, Wonder Lake, Illinois Illinois State Univeristy, Undergraduate: TVI Lisa Marie Bielaga, Darien, Illinois Northern Illinois University, Graduate Program: Vision Rehabilitation Therapist

Mini-Grants

$1500 mini-grants are available on an annual basis to IAER members who desire to pursue projects that further the purpose of AER. Grants may be awarded for, but are not limited to curriculum development, research, improvement of a particular area of service, and the implementation of unique activities or ideas. The deadlines for application submissions are May 1 and October 15. For more information see the Mini-Grant Application. Questions about the Mini-Grants should be directed to Leah Gerlach at 630-690-7115 ext 324 or lag324@spectrios.org.  Remember to put "IAER" in the email subject line.

Space Camp Scholarships

Space Camp Flier

For over two decades, a Space Camp for Interested Visually Impaired Students (SCI-VIS) has been held.  IAER is proud to help teachers fund such and opportunity for their Illinois students.  Don’t miss this chance to apply for a scholarship to Space Camp for your 4^th to 12^th grade academic students.  To download a Space Camp Scholarship form go to the Scholarship Application form. Questions about this exciting opportunity should be directed to Pam Duda at pduda@usd116.org.

IAER would like to extend a special thank you to the 2009 National Teachers of the Year and to 2009 Illinois Teacher of the Year, Ruth Meissen, for their donation of scholarships to two Illinois students to attend SCI-VIS in September of 2009.

2009 Space Cadet Ashley A. from Urbana School District Lonnie M. from Urbana School District Joshua N. from Maroa-Forsythe School District   These Illinois students were selected to receive the Illinois AER Space Camp scholarships.     Congratulations !

Stipends

Stipend monies may be used to attend conferences or workshops that relate to the AER field. This year we have awarded several stipends to individuals who attended various conferences. For more information on stipend recipient requirements go to Stipend Application.

Questions should be directed to Leah Gerlach at 630-690-7115 ext 324 or lag324@spectrios.org. Remember to put IAER in the email subject line.

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Harrell and Sangalli are Chapter-Get-A-Member Campaign Winners

July 7, 2009--Congratulations to Susan Harrell of the AER Alabama Chapter on winning the $1,000 grand prize for the association’s 20 for 20 Chapter-Get-A-Member Campaign. Harrell, a vocational rehabilitation counselor for the Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services and president-elect of the Alabama Chapter, successfully recruited 11 new members during the year-long effort.

John Kelly, AER Board President, drew Harrell’s name from more than 200 qualifying recruiters and new members. Kelly said the program resulted in 107 new members for AER between May 2008 and April 2009. A total of 95 recruiters in 26 chapters participated in the first-ever campaign.

With 20 new members, the Arkansas Chapter narrowly beat out the Alabama Chapter’s 19 for the highest number of recruits. Penn-Del was third with 10 new members.

The Arkansas Chapter’s new member total translated into 20% growth for the chapter which meant that one of the recruiters was eligible for a free one-year AER membership. Congratulations to Ramona Sangalli of Little Rock whose name was drawn as the lucky winner. Each chapter will receive a $20 bounty from AER for each of the 107 new members.

Kelly expressed his gratitude on behalf of the board of directors to all those who participated in the program.

AER Kicks Off Chapter-Get-A-Member Campaign

Help AER achieve its goal of 1,000 new members in the coming year. Be part of the 2008 Chapter-Get-A-Member campaign! You could win cash prizes! Read more...

Name of AER's New Journal Announced

AER Journal: Research & Practice in Visual Impairment & Blindness

AER's Strategic Planning Process Underway

AER is committed to serving our members and affiliated chapters and divisions through effective strategic planning conducted at all levels within the organization. AER's Strategic Plan guides the association into the future and is periodically updated to ensure we are meeting the members' and association's needs. 

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