Scholarship Program

2025 National Federation of the Blind

of South Carolina Scholarship Program



Each year at the NFB of SC state Convention, typically in the early fall, the NFB of SC awards three scholarships to recognize achievements by top blind students.

All applicants for these scholarships must be:

  • Legally blind in both eyes
  • Residents of South Carolina or attending a college or university in South Carolina
  • Enrolled in a full-time post-secondary course of study.

 

All scholarships are awarded based on the following criteria.

  •  Academic excellence
  •  Community service
  •  NFB participation.
  •  Writing 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 three finalists and will be required to attend the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina state convention, in Columbia, August 14-17, 2025, at Double Tree by Hilton. As a benefit of being a winner, the student’s room and convention registration will be provided free of charge thanks to the efforts of generous donations from NFB of SC members! Scholarship recipients are responsible for their transportation to the convention and spending money while there. Family members and guests of the finalists are encouraged to attend but are not covered by the state organization. The scholarship recipients are required to participate in the entire convention and in the scheduled scholarship program activities, beginning with functions (such as the South Carolina Association of Blind Students meeting) on Friday, all general sessions throughout the weekend, and the Saturday banquet, where scholarships will be awarded.

 

The form and *ALL* attachments must be received by 11:59 p.m. June 20, 2025.

 

For further questions, please contact Shannon Cook, Scholarship Chair at (803) 605-4250 or by email at scholarships@nfbofsc.org.

 

Thank you for your interest in the Scholarship Program.

To donate toward the Scholarship Program, please contact the Federation Center, or click the Donate button/PayPal link on nfbofsc.org. Please specify your donation is for the Scholarship Program

 


 

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 (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 based on 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 considers 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 2025 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; the form must be completed electronically. 

 

If any portion of the application is received after the deadline, June 20, 2025, it will be automatically disqualified. If you have any questions, please call the Scholarship Chair Shannon Cook at (803) 605-4250 or send an email to scholarships@nfbofsc.org.

 

Thank you for your interest in the scholarship program.

 



Scholarship Application

 

 


 

Contact 1
Full Name
Date of Birth
Phone Number
Alternate Phone Number
Academic Institution attended in spring semester, 2025, with class standing (freshman, senior, etc.):
Cumulative grade point average at this institution:
Academic Institution attending in the fall of 2025, with class standing. Send verification by separate letter if admitted to school after submitting completed application.
Vocational goal:
Area of Study/College major (and Minor if applicable):
Awards and honors:
Have you attended an NFB of SC chapter or division meeting during the past year? If so, which one? How often? If not, why?
Are you a current member of the NFB of SC, meaning that you have paid your 2025 state dues and routinely attend meetings of a chapter or division?
What has the NFB done for you? (Please write a paragraph to describe why you value having the NFB in your life and how it has changed your mindset about blindness and the abilities of blind people.)
How will you contribute to the NFB in the coming years? (Please write a paragraph explaining your answer.)
Community service (This is “not” to include any activities you were paid to do.):
For High School Seniors or Graduates: College Admission Composite Test Scores SAT: ACT:
High school attended and cumulative grade point:
Leave this field blank