Public Service Scholarship

State Records is pleased to offer a $1,000 college scholarship for the 2024 academic year. The application period commences on September 1st, 2023, and concludes on September 1st, 2024. Interested applicants must complete the application form to enter the contest. The essay component should include a personal statement (explained in the second essay question). Proper citation of all sources used in the essay is mandatory. The preferred writing formats are MLA and APA. Essays must range from a minimum of 1,000 words to a maximum of 1,500 words. Ensure your document includes your first and last name at the top.

Before beginning your essay, it’s essential to acquaint yourself with public records.

These records are generated by government bodies to document incidents and events involving government officials and authorities. They encompass court proceedings, police records, property records involving notarization, and vital records detailing marriages as well as related documents. By law, these records are publicly accessible to promote societal transparency and can be accessed online, through local municipal authorities, or via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request.

Essay Questions:
1) How can society improve through the use of digital public records?
2) As a public employee, how do you believe access to public records can affect you and your community.