Frank James-SkyLine Scholarship Application

About the Scholarship Program

SkyLine's Board of Directors established the SkyLine Telephone Membership Corporation Scholarship in 1987 to offer educational opportunities to deserving high school seniors with limited means. The scholarship has been awarded to children of SkyLine members who exhibit outstanding scholastic abilities and motivation to continue their education. Annually, scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors in each of the five counties served by SkyLine: Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Watauga and Johnson (TN).

In 1995, the Scholarship Program was renamed the Frank James–SkyLine Scholarship as a lasting memorial to Mr. James, who had been a longtime director and president of the cooperative. In addition to his tireless services to the causes of rural telephony, the former educator and superintendent of Ashe County Schools dedicated much of his life to promoting education. Also in 1995, the program was expanded to include five $500 scholarships for graduating high school seniors seeking a two-year community/technical college degree.

The Board of Directors further enhanced the program in 1999 to make the $1,000 College/University Scholarship annually renewable for up to four years and the $500 Community/Technical Scholarship annually renewable for up to two years. To receive the full two- or four-year benefits of this scholarship, recipients must maintain a minimum grade-point-average (GPA) of 2.0 and continue to be enrolled as a full-time student at their respective college/university. This year, 10 scholarships with a total value of $25,000 are scheduled to be awarded this spring to children of SkyLine/SkyBest telephone service customers to assist them with the cost of a college education.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

Be students whose parents are full-time residents in the SkyLine or SkyBest service area and have an account in good standing for telephone or broadband services for a minimum of one year.
Be graduating high school seniors (local public school, private school or home school) and along with their parents, reside full-time in the cooperative's five county service area.
Have qualified for entrance to a two-year community or technical college for the Community/Technical College Scholarship, or;
Have qualified for entrance to a four-year college or university and have a minimum SAT score of 880 (critical reading and math) or a minimum ACT score of 17 (composite) for the College/University Scholarship.
Be of college caliber in the judgment of their high school principal and counselor or scholarship committee.
Provide to the local high school guidance counselor only, documentation exhibiting financial need.
Exhibit high scholastic achievement, leadership qualities, and participation in school and community activities.

Note: Children of SkyLine employees or directors are not eligible for this scholarship.

How to Apply

Along with a completed scholarship application, please include the following:

Complete high school transcript, including the results of all college entrance exams.
Summary of applicant’s extracurricular activities.
Letter of application in the student’s own handwriting.
Letter of recommendation from the high school principal, guidance counselor, teacher, youth leader or community leader.
Official information regarding other scholarship awards the student has applied for or received.
Information demonstrating financial need.
Recent individual photo to be used for publication. For printed photos, please do not attach to your printed scholarship application using staples or paper clips. Digital photos may be uploaded with online scholarship applications when they are submitted.

Award Procedures

Students attending local public schools will submit applications to their guidance department; students attending private school or home school will submit applications directly to SkyLine. All applications will be reviewed, and nominees for each of the two- and four- year scholarships will be selected based on eligibility requirements.
Nominees will be interviewed individually at SkyLine’s Corporate Offices by the appropriate scholarship committee.
A SkyLine representative will recognize recipients at their school on awards day or at graduation, and a public announcement of the recipients will be made in June.
Special recognition of the scholarship winners will be highlighted in a video presentation at the Annual Meeting of Members each fall.

Important: if a field is required, but not applicable to you, enter "NA" for your response.

SkyLine/SkyBest Account Number *

Your Name *

First Name

Middle Name

Last Name

Last 4 Digits of Your Social Security Number *

Your Phone Number *

Your High School *

Your County of Residence *

Your Address *

City

State

Zip

Your Email Address *

Your Age *

Your Date of Birth *

YYYY

Your Sex *

Male

Female

Your Marital Status *

Single

Married

Your Father's Name *

First Name

Middle Name

Last Name

Father status: *

Living

Deceased

Your Mother's Name *

First Name

Middle Name

Last Name

Mother status: *

Living

Deceased

With whom do you primarily live? *

My Father

My Mother

Both my parents

If you live apart from a parent, include that parent's address. *

City

State

Zip

Do you contribute to the family income via a part-time job or other income source? *

Yes

If yes, provide the monthly (yearly?) amount. *

If you are selected for a scholarship, please list how you want your parents' names listed: *

List any siblings currently living with you. List in chronological order, oldest sibling first.

Sibling Name #1 *

First Name

Last Name

Age of Sibling #1 *

Is Sibling #1 currently employed? *

Yes

N/A

Monthly/yearly financial amount Sibling #1 contributes to family income *

Marital status of Sibling #1 *

Single

Married

Divorced

N/A

Sibling Name #2 *

First Name

Last Name

Age of Sibling #2 *

Is Sibling #2 currently employed? *

Yes

N/A

Monthly/yearly financial amount Sibling #2 contributes to family income *

Marital status of Sibling #2 *

Single

Married

Divorced

N/A

Sibling Name #3 *

First Name

Last Name

Age of Sibling #3 *

Is Sibling #3 currently employed? *

Yes

N/A

Monthly/yearly financial amount Sibling #3 contributes to family income *

Marital status of Sibling #3 *

Single

Married

Divorced

N/A

If you have more than three siblings, list them here along with their ages. *

Father's place of employment *

Father's Adjusted Gross Income *

Mother's place of employment *

Mother's Adjusted Gross Income *

Provide a list of any additional sources of income, including Social Security. *

Please list any other college scholarships you have received, include scholarship amounts. *

Type of scholarship *

College/University (4 years)

Community/Technical College (2 years)

Name(s) of colleges/universities where you have been accepted. *

Name of college you plan to attend. *

Address of college you plan to attend. *

City

State

Zip

Course of study you plan to pursue *

Number of students in your high school graduating class *

Your class rank *

Class offices held and year *

Honors received and year *

Provide any clubs for which you held membership and/or officer positions.

Name of membership or club #1 *

Years involved in membership/club #1 *

Officer positions held for membership/club #1 *

How many years were you an officer for membership/club #1 *

Provide lists of sports involvement or other school activities. *

Outside school, what are some of your personal hobbies? *

Provide the name of your church and any involved activities or groups (Kiwanis, scouts, etc.) *

Tell us how this scholarship will benefit you and support your educational goals. *

Upload one recent photo of yourself.

Upload a letter of recommendation from a high school principal, guidance counselor, teacher, youth leader or community leader.

Upload complete high school transcript, including results of all college entrance exams.

APPLICANT CERTIFICATION
I hereby certify that the information on this application is complete and correct to the best of my knowledge. I hereby grant permission to SkyLine Membership Corporation to contact my school, if necessary, and to use my name and photograph in promotional materials in the event that I am selected to receive a scholarship.

Type Full Name for Signature *

Date

YYYY

Deadline for Scholarship: Friday, March 6, 2026

Questions? If you have questions about the Frank James-SkyLine Scholarship Program, please call SkyLine at 1-800-759-2226.

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