I. Overview The Smile Scholarship Fund was initiated by alumni of Class 3, Cohort 2000, of Yingshan Middle School (Yingzhong) in Sichuan Province, China, in gratitude for the education they received at their alma mater. Since 2021, through a process of student applications, alumni donations, selective home visits, and review, the Fund has provided financial assistance to high school students from underprivileged families. Disbursements are made directly to the student’s bank account by Mr. Luo Guoliang, a teacher at Yingzhong and representative of the Class of 2000 alumni.
Project Introduction
The Fund encourages recipients to face adversity with courage, smile with confidence, and strive for success. It also hopes that they will, in the future, pass on love and kindness in their own way. Donors may choose to have their names published or remain anonymous, and may designate specific students to support. If both donors and recipients wish to maintain contact, personal information will be kept strictly confidential and shared only as necessary.
II. Funding and Use of Funds The Fund is supported entirely through fundraising by the alumni association (currently composed of three alumni from Class 3, Cohort 2000). There are no administrative costs or volunteer stipends. A dedicated bank account has been opened by Mr. Luo Guoliang, who acts as donor representative, volunteer, and school liaison. Account inflows and outflows follow the procedures outlined in the “Disbursement” section. Any bank interest earned, expected to be minimal, will be treated as part of the donation pool and distributed to students the following year.
III. Application and Review Process The school announces and explains the Smile Scholarship Fund to all teachers and students. Eligible applicants are high school students from financially disadvantaged families (based on the national poverty line) who demonstrate good character (no serious disciplinary violations such as cheating or fighting). Academic performance is not a requirement.
Since 2021, applications open each spring (the second week after the semester begins). Students submit the donor-designed application form, which includes a self-report of family financial circumstances, as well as signatures and comments from parents and the homeroom teacher. Teachers are expected to verify supporting information as accurately as possible. Each class is encouraged to submit no more than one application, depending on need. All applications must be submitted to Mr. Luo Guoliang within two weeks.
Students who received assistance the previous year must reapply if they require support again. Within four weeks of the application opening, Mr. Luo scans all application materials into electronic form, after which the alumni association arranges teacher-led sample home visits and reviews. Selected students are finalized and reported to the school for recordkeeping.
IV. Disbursement of Funds Donations are transferred to Mr. Luo, who distributes the scholarship directly to the recipient via bank transfer within five weeks of the application opening. If donors wish to remain in contact with the recipients, Mr. Luo will inform the students, who may decide voluntarily whether to communicate. Once distribution is confirmed, the school issues paper documentation bearing the school’s official seal, with handwritten signatures from the recipient and their parent(s). Mr. Luo scans and archives these documents for the alumni association. The school will also publicly announce the list of recipients at an appropriate time during the semester.
V. Other Matters The Fund’s charter and application forms include a dedicated email address (yz003smile@outlook.com) to collect feedback, suggestions, or reports of misconduct. For any unforeseen issues or changes, the school and alumni association will jointly decide on the appropriate response.