Any high school junior or senior student may enter the scholarship competition. The student must elect to attend Saint Vincent College and pursue a major offered by the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics, and Government, as well as a minor in Economics. Students need not have taken a course in Economics or Business in order to do well in the competition.
The winner will be the student who ranks highest based on the criteria set forth for the scholarship. The scholarship award will be announced about a month after the competition.
The Alex G. McKenna Economic and Policy Scholarship is awarded primarily on the basis of an essay topic announced each fall concerning President Obama's economic policy and the impact this policy will have on the economy in the future.
The essay, with a bibliography listing all sources, must not exceed five (5) double-spaced pages typed in 12 point font. In addition, the essay should include a title page which includes the essay's title, the applicant's name, and the name of the applicant's high school.
Applicants will be judged on the merit of their essay as well as their high school achievements. All completed essay submissions must be accompanied with a copy of the student's SAT or ACT scores, an official high school transcript, and a list of the student's extracurricular activities.
The Center for Political and Economic Thought strongly encourages you to submit your materials (essay, SAT/ACT scores, official high school transcript, and list of extracurricular activities) in person at our annual Scholarship Day. At Scholarship Day, Professor Nicholas Racculia, Instructor of Finance, will conduct a formal presentation for interested students and parents which will provide valuable information regarding the wide range of opportunities afforded by the Alex G. McKenna School at Saint Vincent College.
However, if you are unable to be with us on Scholarship Day, you may also submit your essay in one of three ways:
- Send your essay to Professor Nicholas Racculia, Fellow in Economics and Policy, via electronic mail as an attached Microsoft Word® document.
- Click here to access our online submission form.
- Send your essay and other materials via postal mail to:
Professor Nicholas Racculia Instructor of Finance
Saint Vincent College
300 Fraser Purchase Road
Latrobe, PA 15650
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you do not attend Scholarship Day and choose to send your essay via electronic mail or via the online submission form, you must still mail a copy of your SAT/ACT scores, an official high school transcript, and a list of your extracurricular activities to the address outlined above. Failure to submit all of the necessary documents will void your eligibility and only material postmarked on or before Scholarship Day will be considered.
How to Register (return to top)
In order to attend Scholarship Day (and the essay competition), obtain a registration card from your high school Guidance Counselor, or contact:
Office of Admissions & Financial Aid Scholarship Day Registration
Saint Vincent College
300 Fraser Purchase Road
Latrobe, Pennsylvania, 15650-2690
Phone: 1.800.782.5549
Simply fill out and return the registration card at least ten days prior to the date of the essay competition.
This scholarship must be renewed each year (up to four years maximum, $4,000 per year). Renewal of the award is contingent upon the maintenance of a 3.25 grade point average (GPA) and the student maintaining a course of undergraduate study at Saint Vincent College, in pursuit of a major offered by the Alex G. McKenna School of Business, Economics, and Government, in addition to a minor in Economics.