Chuan Ai Lu Engstrom Memorial Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by PCB Solutions

Description

PCB Solutions offers the Chuan Ai Lu Engstrom Memorial Scholarship Contest to support students pursuing higher education in the United States. The program awards a single $1,000 scholarship per winner to be applied to the recipient’s enrolled college or university. The contest emphasizes thoughtful insight into the global role of electronic design, engineering and manufacturing and supports students who demonstrate clear, sourced thinking in that area. This scholarship runs twice yearly with separate fall and spring award cycles.

Key takeaways:
- Award: $1,000 paid to the recipient’s enrolled school.
- Sponsor: PCB Solutions.
- Focus: vision of electronic design, engineering and manufacturing in the global economy.
- Frequency: two winners per calendar year (one for fall, one for spring).

History of the Award

The scholarship was established in memory of Chuan Ai Lu Engstrom, a former PCB Solutions employee who passed away in 2014 from uterine cancer. Ai emigrated from China after marrying PCB Solutions’ president, Greg Engstrom, and became a proud U.S. citizen who loved learning English. The award honors her optimistic, loving and patient legacy by supporting students who share a passion for learning and global-minded engineering. The scholarship is rooted in personal remembrance and community support.

Key takeaways:
- Named for Chuan Ai Lu Engstrom in tribute to her life and legacy.
- Created by PCB Solutions and the Engstrom family.
- Honors values of optimism, learning and cross-cultural experience.
- Established after Ai’s passing in 2014.

Eligibility

Applicants must be current, full-time students at an accredited U.S. college or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. There is no age restriction; all eligible full-time students who meet the GPA requirement may apply. The award is limited to students who have not previously received this scholarship (one-time lifetime eligibility). Applicants must comply with submission and documentation requirements described on the scholarship page.

Key takeaways:
- Must be a current, full-time student at an accredited U.S. college or university.
- Minimum cumulative GPA: 2.5.
- No age requirement.
- One-time lifetime eligibility per recipient.

Award Value

The winning candidate receives a $1,000 scholarship that will be paid directly to the student’s enrolled school and credited toward academic costs. The funds are designated for school-related expenses and applied to the recipient’s account for the semester in which the scholarship is awarded. The scholarship is non-renewable and valid for a single semester cycle only.

Key takeaways:
- Amount: $1,000 per winner.
- Payment: check issued to the student’s institution and credited for academic costs.
- Use: school-related expenses as determined by the institution.
- Non-renewable; awarded for one semester only.

Application

**Essay requirement:** Write an original essay of at least 800 words on the topic “Discuss your vision of electronic design, engineering and manufacturing in the global economy.” Essays should be well-sourced and reference reputable publications when appropriate; do not make the essay a personal life history.

**Supplemental bio:** Include a short bio—either a brief video or a short written essay—covering who you are, why education matters to you, and how you would use the scholarship funds.

**Submission materials:** Email your essay (Word or PDF) and the signed Content Contribution Agreement plus your full contact information, major, and graduation date to jamesb@pcb-solutions.com. Download the Content Contribution Agreement from the PCB Solutions scholarship webpage; include it with your submission.

Key takeaways:
- Essay: ≥800 words on the specified topic; avoid turning it into a personal history.
- Supplemental: short bio video or written summary explaining background and intended use of funds.
- Required forms: signed Content Contribution Agreement, contact info, major, graduation date.
- Submission email: jamesb@pcb-solutions.com (essay as Word or PDF).

Application Timeline

The scholarship accepts submissions on two regular cycles per year: one for the fall semester and one for the spring semester. Essay submission deadlines align with these cycles—entries for the fall winner must be received by August, and entries for the spring winner must be received by December. PCB Solutions runs the program continuously, selecting two winners each calendar year.

Key takeaways:
- Two cycles per year: fall and spring.
- Fall submission window ends in August; spring submission window ends in December.
- Two winners are selected annually (one per cycle).

Selection Process and Notification

A PCB Solutions Scholarship Committee reviews all essays and supporting materials and selects the winner for each cycle based on the essay’s clarity, sourcing, insight and relevance to the topic. Winners are announced publicly on the PCB Solutions website on August 15 for the fall cycle and December 15 for the spring cycle. The chosen recipients will also receive direct notification via email.

Key takeaways:
- Review by PCB Solutions Scholarship Committee.
- Selection criteria: clarity, sourcing, insight, topic relevance.
- Announcement dates: August 15 (fall) and December 15 (spring) on the PCB website.
- Winners notified by email.

Use of Funds and Restrictions

Scholarship funds must be used for school-related expenses and will be issued as a check to the recipient’s enrolled institution to be applied to academic costs. The scholarship cannot be renewed and may only be awarded to a student once in their lifetime. Recipients are responsible for any tax implications or institutional policies related to scholarships; recipients should contact their school’s financial office with questions about how the award will be applied.

Key takeaways:
- Funds paid to the school and applied to academic costs.
- Single-semester use only; non-renewable.
- Award may be received once per lifetime.
- Recipients should consult their institution for tax and crediting policies.

Where to Find Results and Additional Information

PCB Solutions posts awarded scholarships and past winners on the Scholarship Award Winners page of its website. For the Content Contribution Agreement and any further program details, consult the PCB Solutions scholarship webpage or contact the scholarship coordinator at jamesb@pcb-solutions.com. For procedural questions about fund disbursement or school crediting, contact your college’s financial aid office.

Key takeaways:
- Winners listed on the PCB Solutions Scholarship Award Winners webpage.
- Content Contribution Agreement and full instructions available on the scholarship page.
- General inquiries: jamesb@pcb-solutions.com.
- Financial and disbursement questions should go to the recipient’s school.