NAE4-HA provides several opportunities and awards as listed below. For more information, see the "NAE4-HA Member Recognition Award Description and Application Handbook" which is published yearly. In most cases, state awards are also given and deadlines are determined at state level.

Distinguished Service Award - must have seven or more years in Extension youth programs. State association may select one winner for every 50 members or part thereof.

Twenty-Five Years of Service Award - must have 25 years of service to Extension 4-H youth work and be a member for the immediate four years prior to the current year.

Achievement In Service Award - to recognize members with three to seven years of creative and innovative programming.

NAE4-HA American Spirit Award - to recognize an individual who has created a positive image through leadership and citizenship as it relates to 4-H.

Educational Technology Awards - to recognize the use of technology (computers, video, satellite, etc.) in delivering or managing programs.

Search for Excellence in Teen Programming - to recognize members for outstanding programs with 4-H teen audiences, individual and team awards.

NAE4-HA Professional Improvement Award - Includes the Stiles Memorial Award ($1,000) for formal education; Professional Improvement Opportunity Awards, $500 to $1,000 for opportunities other than college degree programs; Mary Ann Krug Professional Study Tour Award, $1,600 for a team of 4 or more NAE4-HA members to study innovative programming

Joint Council of Extension Professional Award for Excellence in Teamwork - Two awards of $1,000 for team programming.

Natural Resources/Environmental Stewardship Award - individual or team awards to recognize outstanding effort in this area.

NAE4-HA Diversity Award - to recognize outstanding effort and accomplishments in achieving and sustaining diversity.

NAE4-HA Communicator Awards - Categories include state association publication, periodical publication, educational piece, promotional piece, personal column, news story, feature story, published photo, video program, radio program, educational package, promotional package.

Chapter Forgivable Loans - Epsilon Sigma Phi

One or more forgivable Chapter Loans in the amount of $100.00 for graduate study and professional improvement may be awarded annually, depending on the availability of funds, to active members and Cooperative Extension employees with at least two years service and who expect to join Epsilon Sigma Phi when they become eligible. Persons with five or more years service in the Cooperative Extension in Pennsylvania and elsewhere are not eligible for forgivable loans unless they are members of Epsilon Sigma Phi.

Low interest rate loans in amounts not to exceed $500.00 may be made from unused funds designated for Chapter Forgivable Loans. The loan(s) shall be made at four percent interest and shall become due one calendar year after the date the loan was granted (date on Check) excluding time on leave from the Cooperative Extension to pursue professional development. If the recipient is employed full time by the Penn State Cooperative Extension for one year after receiving the loan, the loan plus accrued interest will be forgiven. If the recipient is not employed for the one year after receiving the loan, the loan plus accrued interest is due on date of terminating employment with extension.

Cooperative Extension Forgivable Loan

One forgivable loan in the amount of $500.00 may be awarded annually to an active member for professional improvement and advanced studies leading to a graduate degree. The forgivable loan is funded equally by the Alpha Omicron Chapter of Epsilon Sigma Phi, the Extension Professors' Association, the Pennsylvania Association of County Agricultural Agents, the Pennsylvania Extension Association of Family and Consumer Sciences, and the Pennsylvania Association of Extension 4-H Agents. The repayment will follow the same standards as the chapter forgivable loan(s).

National Epsilon Sigma Phi Scholarship Loans

The purpose of the national Epsilon Sigma Phi Scholarship Loans Fund is to provide additional financial incentive and assistance for Epsilon Sigma Phi members who wish to increase their professional competencies. Up to $1,000.00 may be borrowed at four percent interest provided the loan is repaid on schedule (one half during the first year following the study leave and one half during the second year). If repayment goes beyond two years, the interest rate on the balance will become 15 percent. Loans of $500.00 or less are to be repaid within one year following the study leave.

Assistantships

May be available through the graduate department member is enrolled in.

The Dr. Helen E. Bell Scholarship/Penn State College of Agriculture

Scholarship recipients will be Penn State faculty and staff with extension responsibilities who enroll in graduate courses that will help them to improve extension family programs in Pennsylvania. Applications coordinated through Staff Development.

Ruth and Robert O'Connor Scholarship

One or more awards to staff who have at least six years of full-time employment with Penn State Cooperative Extension who are currently enrolled or accepted into a graduate degree program.

(Revised 1997)