BNL SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION
  • Home
  • About
    • Heritage
    • Purpose
    • Scholarships
  • Scholarship FAQ
  • The Next 50 Years
  • Donate
  • Contact Us
  • Home
  • About
    • Heritage
    • Purpose
    • Scholarships
  • Scholarship FAQ
  • The Next 50 Years
  • Donate
  • Contact Us
Search

Scholarship FAQ

What is the mission of the Foundation? The primary mission of the Bedford North Lawrence Scholarship Foundation is to award college scholarships to area students based on merit and need. Our scholarships are awarded to help defray the costs of tuition, books, room and board, and other college expenses so that students can focus on their academic success. The Foundation awards individual annual scholarships and continuing scholarships. To date over 4,000 students have received scholarship assistance. 

Who can apply? Scholarships are reserved for students of Bedford North Lawrence High School or the North Lawrence Career Center who plan to attend U.S. accredited colleges, universities, and technical schools. Only graduating high school seniors and current undergraduate students who have previously received continuing scholarship can apply. Home school students and students who transfer to another school prior to graduation are not eligible.

​What do I need to do to be considered? Original scholarship applications with required support documents must be completed, printed, signed, and received by the Foundation or the BNL Counseling Department by the deadline printed on the application. There are no exception to the deadline. Along with the original completed application, students are required to submit 7 copies of the application, and an appropriate wallet size head shot picture. (If a submitted picture is deemed inappropriate, it will be replaced with a previous yearbook picture.)  All requirements must be met throughout the scholarship season to maintain eligibility.  Submission of a scholarship application does not guarantee award selection.

What is the selection process?  First, the selection committee reviews all applications to assure if they were submitted on time, complete, and including all necessary components. Incomplete or late applications will not receive further consideration. Applications are then evaluated to see if the student meets criteria set by donors and the Foundation scholarships. Students meeting this criteria will receive an interview. By the time of the interviews students must have been admitted to an accredited university or technical school to maintain scholarship eligibility. Following interviews, the committee will make the final determination of scholarship recipients. Being selected for an interview does not guarantee receipt of a scholarship. A list of award recipients will be posted in the Counseling Office at the end of the process. All students who's name appears on the list must pick up a letter at the school advising them of the Board's decision and follow-up requirements for receiving their scholarship. As previously stated, submission of an application does not guarantee an award. Furthermore, applicants who fail to follow through with the requirements set forth by the Foundation in the selection process, or who are chosen for an interview, but have not been accepted to an accredited university or technical school by the time of their interview will no longer be considered for a scholarship. All students sign an outlined list of the remaining requirements for receiving their scholarship at the time of the interview to show they understand what is expected of them.

When are interviews? Applicants who make it through the first round of application review will be interviewed by Foundation board members in late March or early April and must be accepted by an accredited university or technical school by the time of the interviews to maintain eligibility. The interview schedule will be posted in the Counseling office. Not all students who apply for a scholarship may make it to the interview round.

How will I know if I have been selected for a scholarship? A list of scholarship award winners will be posted outside of counseling no more than a couple of weeks after the interviews. If their name appears on the list, students must pick up an award letter at that time to maintain their eligibility. Students should follow the Foundation Facebook page or listen to the school announcements for dates and deadlines.

How are scholarship funds distributed?  All scholarship checks are mailed directly from the Foundation to the financial aid office of the applicable college or university in two equal payments made at times corresponding with the beginning of each semester of the school year. A contract must be signed by the student before funds can be distributed.

Are there any other requirements to receive a scholarship? Yes! As mentioned above, at the time of the interviews students will sign a paper outlining their responsibilities throughout the remainder of the  process. Not only must students pick up their award letter, all students are required to attend a meeting at the school approximately one week before the awards ceremony. Multiple dates and times for the meeting will be provided in the award letter. During this meeting we give important information about the scholarship ceremony and contract signing. As mentioned above, no money can be distributed if contracts are not signed. Students who fail to attend this meeting will forfeit their scholarship. Students are also required to attend the awards ceremony in the BNL Performing Arts Center in order to receive their scholarship. We coordinate with the athletic department to avoid other school events in order to make it easy for everyone to attend. Please contact the Foundation Office if you have questions about these requirements. Unavoidable conflicts must be approved in advance of the awards ceremony by the Foundation Board. Work is not an acceptable reason for not attending the award ceremony.

Proudly powered by Weebly
Photo used under Creative Commons from katerha
  • Home
  • About
    • Heritage
    • Purpose
    • Scholarships
  • Scholarship FAQ
  • The Next 50 Years
  • Donate
  • Contact Us