2023 Scholarship Program

Each year at the NFB of SC state convention, typically in the fall, the NFB of SC gives a broad array of scholarships to recognize achievement by blind students. All applicants for these scholarships must be:

1.            Legally blind

2.            Residents of South Carolina or attending a college or university in South Carolina

3.            Enrolled in or plan to enroll in a full-time post-secondary course of study.

All scholarships are awarded based on the following criteria:

1.            Academic excellence

2.            Community service (non-paid volunteerism)

3.            NFB participation

4.            SA quality

The National Federation of the Blind is an organization dedicated to creating opportunities for all blind people by breaking down barriers to independence and improving the public perception of blindness. Recipients of NFB scholarships do not have to be members of the National Federation of the Blind, but it is strongly encouraged. The Scholarship Committee will review all applications and will select the top three applicants. These three students will be notified approximately one month prior to the state convention, that they are one of the top three scholarship recipients, and will be required to attend the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina state convention, in Columbia, August 18-20. As a perk of being a scholarship recipient, the students room and convention registration will be provided free of charge thanks to the efforts of generous donations from NFB of SC members around the state! The only things the scholarship recipients are responsible for are their transportation to the convention and spending money while there. Family members and guests of the winner will be responsible for their own hotel and registration fee if they wish to attend the convention and/or banquet on Saturday night. The Federation will provide room and convention registration for recipients only. The scholarship recipients are required to participate in the entire convention and in the scheduled scholarship program activities, beginning with functions (such as the Student Division meeting) usually on Friday, all general sessions, and banquet on Saturday, and general sessions on Sunday.

The scholarship awards will be presented during the banquet Saturday evening.

The below form and *ALL* attachments must be received by June 20, 2023 at 11:59 PM. Attachments which are available electronically may be submitted via email to Shannon Cook, Scholarship Committee Chairman at coffeequeensc1@sc.rr.com.

For further questions, please contact Shannon Cook, Scholarship Chair at (803) 605-4250, or by email at coffeequeensc1@sc.rr.com.

Thank you for your interest in the Scholarship Program.

To make a donation to help fund scholarships for deserving students, please contact the Federation Center, or click the Donate Now link and put scholarship donation in the Send a Note With Your Contribution field.

The following must accompany your application.  If any of the following is not received by the application deadline, the application *will not* be considered; therefore, it is advisable to confirm receipt of all components of the application prior to the deadline):

1. Personal Letter from Applicant:  A separate statement (In other words, not to be typed on this application.) in approximately 250 words.  Give your reason for applying for a scholarship and how it will assist you to achieve a professional goal.  Include information about your visual acuity.  NFB scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence, community service, and NFB participation.  In preparing your personal letter, keep in mind that the committee members are all successful blind individuals.  Consider how you can most effectively convey your best qualities.  Since the awards are restricted to blind students, the committee will be interested in the techniques and approaches you use. Almost all students have financial need.  Committee members will assume basic need, so you may choose merely to refer to this topic unless your need is unusual.  Pay attention to spelling and grammar.  The committee takes into account the care you take with making sure spelling and grammar are correct.  Remember, your statement represents you.

2. One letter of recommendation, from a member of the National Federation of the Blind of SC, explaining why they think you are worthy to receive a scholarship this year. It is helpful to take a few minutes to talk with that member about yourself, in case they are not familiar with you yet.  The more specific and personal the recommendation, the better it represents you. If you need the name of an NFB Member in your area, Contact David Houck, Executive Director of the Federation Center of the Blind,  at (803) 254-3777 or email him at

nfbsc@sc.rr.com

3. Current transcript from institution attending as of spring 2023 and transcripts from all other post-secondary institutions attended.  If you have not yet attended such an institution or have not completed one year of study, send your high school transcript.

          4.  Score Reports (for high school seniors only).  Please submit a copy of your score reports for all standardized tests taken for college admission.  Copies are acceptable; there is no need to attach official reports.

To apply for a scholarship, complete the below application

If any portion of the application is received after the deadline, June 20, 2023, it will be automatically disqualified.  If you have any questions, please call the Scholarship Chair Shannon Cook at (803) 605-4250 or send her an email at coffeequeensc1@sc.rr.com.

Thank you for your interest in the scholarship program.