William R. Dickson Retiree Education Fund

About The Dickson Fund

In 1998, the Quarter Century Club's Board of Directors established an endowment fund to honor William R. Dickson, Senior Vice President of the Institute, upon his retirement. Access to the William R. Dickson Retiree Education Fund is one of the many benefits awarded to retired members of MIT's Quarter Century Club (QCC) which is chartered with furthering the well being of its membership through cultural and social events. The Dickson Fund awards eligible QCC members with grants of up to $1,000 for study at accredited institutions.

The maximum cumulative grant award in any one calendar year is $1,000 per individual for one or more courses and can only be used for tuition costs at accredited institutions. An application for serial courses (e.g., Macintosh Beginner, Macintosh Intermediate) will be reviewed course by course. An individual can apply for additional grants in a subsequent calendar year.

In an effort to ensure broad-based access and award grants to as many eligible and interested members as possible, the Dickson Fund's Executive Committee may have to deny an application based upon the Fund's financial resources. Grant priority will be given to first-time applicants.

Types Of Courses Funded

Recent grant recipients have studied subjects such as sculpting, computer programming and foreign language instruction at colleges and museum schools. To be eligible for a Dickson Fund grant, courses must be sponsored by an accredited organization that offers formal instructional courses, has a faculty and a registered student body.

Additionally, courses must be held on known dates and times at either a campus or affiliated site where courses are taught. Institutions that meet these criteria typically include:

• Universities
• Colleges
• Community Colleges
• Junior Colleges
• High Schools
• Museums
• Community-based Adult Education Centers
• Other Teaching Institutions

While choice of course topic is at the applicant's discretion, the selection committee reviews all course descriptions. To date, approved courses have covered topics in the arts, computer sciences, religious studies, cultural enrichment, languages and literature, and writing.

Applying For A Grant

Grant applications are available in the Community Services Office (E19-432, 617-253-7914) and online (PDF). A course description and the name and address of the educational institution are required to complete the application.

Applications for grants should be submitted at least 4 weeks prior to the start of the course. All applications are reviewed and approved by the selection committee, which is composed of members from the Executive Committee of the QCC Board of Directors. The Board wants to provide as many grants as possible, so eligible QCC members are strongly encouraged to apply for grants for educational courses that meet the Fund guidelines.

Receiving A Grant

Applicants will be notified in writing if their application has been approved and the amount of the grant will be noted. They will also receive their original request form and an acceptance letter for their records.

Since grants are awarded in the form of a tuition reimbursement check, checks only will be issued with proof of original payment and/or registration. Sufficient proof can be demonstrated with any of the following: a cancelled check, credit card bill statement, cash receipt, or billing statement from the educational institution. Proof of payment/registration should be sent to The Dickson Fund Administrator, c/o MIT Community Services, Room E19-432, 77 Mass. Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139.

All grants are intended to be tax-free for the purpose of federal and Massachusetts taxes. If for any reason taxes are to be paid on the grant, they are the responsibility of the individual who has received the grant.

The Dickson Fund, c/o MIT Community Services Office, Room E19-432, 77 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02139, 617-253-7914.

Revised August 2008