EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION
(Code Section 217-14)

Educational Assistance Application forms are sent to the Secretary or Worshipful Master by request made to the Grand Secretary on a Form 30A. Applications are automatically sent to the Lodges that sponsored cases the previous year where children are still in the eligible category for the next school year.

The reporting of Educational Assistance need is the responsibility of the Worshipful Master and is part of the "Powers and Duties of Master" (Section 217-14) of the Masonic Code of Oregon.

Form 30 is the application for assistance and accompanying it is the "Report of Investigation" (In the case of Post High School Assistance, there is an additional form to be completed and signed by the student.) Both forms should be carefully considered and completed making certain that all questions are answered where applicable. It will be necessary for the Master to personally contact the family to obtain the necessary information to complete the report. If after completing the report it is felt there may be other pertinent information which will assist the Grand Lodge Trustees in arriving at a decision on the amount of assistance to be granted, a separate report or letter should be submitted.

The Lodge should not ask for assistance from the District Deputy of the Grand Master in the preparation of the application. He will be required to make a separate report and does not receive a copy of the Lodge report. If clarification is needed on any part of the application the Grand Master or Grand Secretary should be contacted.

If at any time you have a family that may qualify, but is living out of your area or out of the state, assistance will be given in the completing of the application and report. If out of the state, it is necessary to go through the Grand Secretary to obtain assistance from another jurisdiction. Never go direct to a Lodge in another state for assistance.

Special note should be made of the statement on the application "If granted, a committee of this Lodge will contact the child or children, and report regularly to the Trustees". If at any time during the year circumstances change in the financial status, or if there may be large medical or dental bills, these facts should be reported for consideration of the Trustees.

The Educational Assistance checks are paid on the basis of the nine month school year for public grade and high school and on a quarter or semester basis for post high school. The checks for public grade and high school sent from the Grand Lodge should not be endorsed over to the family but should be deposited to the Lodge account and a Lodge check drawn. The checks should always be delivered in person by a member of the Lodge where practical. The checks for post high school are sent directly to the recipients from the Grand Lodge Office.