Scholarships
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Scholarships |
NATIONAL
FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
The NFB of Idaho awards at least one scholarship each year, during the NFB of Idaho State Convention held in early spring, to a well-deserving blind student enrolling in college.
NFB National Scholarships
Each year at its National Convention in July, the National Federation of
the Blind gives a broad array of scholarships to recognize achievement by blind
scholars. All applicants for these
scholarships must be (1) legally blind and (2) pursuing or planning to pursue a
full-time post-secondary course of study in the fall semester of 2001, in the
United States, except that one scholarship may be given to a full-time employee
also attending school part-time. In
addition to these restrictions, some scholarships have been further restricted
by the donor. Scholarships to be
given at the National Convention in 2003 are listed here with any special
restrictions noted:
1
SCHOLARSHIP FOR $10,000
Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship
–
Given
by the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults, a nonprofit
organization which works to assist blind persons, in memory of the man who
changed perceptions regarding the capabilities of the blind in this country and
throughout the world. Kenneth
Jernigan is viewed by our field as the most important figure in the 20th
century in the lives of blind persons. The
Action Fund wishes to keep fresh and current in the 21st century the
understandings he brought to the field and thus has endowed this scholarship
dedicated to his memory and to the continuation of the work he began.
No additional restrictions.
3
SCHOLARSHIPS, EACH FOR $7,000
Two National Federation of the Blind Scholarships –
No
additional restrictions.
Melva T. Owen Memorial Scholarship
– Given
in memory of Melva T. Owen, who was widely known and loved among the blind.
She and her husband Charles Owen became acquainted with increasing
numbers of blind people through their work in the “Voicepondence” Club.
Charles Owen says: “There shall be no limitation as to field of study,
except that it shall be directed towards attaining financial independence and
shall exclude religion and those seeking only to further general or cultural
education.”
4
SCHOLARSHIPS, EACH FOR $5,000
Jennica Ferguson Memorial Scholarship –
Given
to keep alive the memory of a young woman who dealt with her blindness and
terminal illness with a grace and strength she frequently assured others she
drew from the Federation and from her faith in God.
No additional restrictions.
Three National Federation of the Blind Scholarships
–
No
additional restrictions.
22
SCHOLARSHIPS, EACH FOR $3,000
Michael
and Marie Marucci Scholarship –
Given
by two dedicated and valued members of the National Federation of the Blind of
Maryland. The winner of this scholarship must be studying a foreign language or
comparative literature; pursuing a degree in history, geography, or political
science with a concentration in international studies; or majoring in any other
discipline that involves study abroad. The
winner's file must also show evidence of competence in a foreign language.
Lora E. Dunetz Scholarship – No
additional restrictions but preference will be given to those studying to enter
the medical field, work in which has meant so much to Lora Dunetz who intends
this scholarship to assist the winner in achieving a lifetime of employment
through higher education.
Hermione Grant Calhoun Scholarship –
Dr.
Isabelle Grant endowed this scholarship in memory of her daughter.
Winner must be a woman.
Frank Walton Horn Memorial Scholarship –
Given
by Catherine Horn Randall of the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois in
loving memory of her father. No
additional restrictions, but preference will be given to those studying
architecture or engineering.
Kuchler-Killian Memorial Scholarship –
Given
in loving memory of her parents, Charles Albert Kuchler and Alice Helen Kuchler,
by Junerose Killian, dedicated member of the National Federation of the Blind of
Connecticut. No additional
restrictions.
E. U. Parker Scholarship –
Endowed by his wife, who joined him in a lifetime of Federationism, this
scholarship honors a long-time leader of the National Federation of the Blind
whose participation in the organization stood for strong principles and strong
support of the Federation’s work. No
additional restrictions.
Howard Brown Rickard Scholarship –
Winner
must be studying or planning to study in the fields of law, medicine,
engineering, architecture, or the natural sciences.
National Federation of the Blind Computer Science Scholarship
–
Winner
must be studying in the computer science field.
National Federation of the Blind Educator of Tomorrow Award
–
Winner
must be planning a career in elementary, secondary, or post-secondary teaching.
National Federation of the Blind Humanities Scholarship –
Winner
must be studying in the traditional humanities such as art, English, foreign
languages, history, philosophy, or religion.
Twelve National Federation of the Blind Scholarships
– No
additional restrictions, except that one may be given to a person working
full-time who is attending or planning to attend a part-time course of study
which will result in a new degree and broader opportunities in present or future
work if a suitable candidate applies.
CRITERIA:
All scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence, service
to the community, and financial need.
MEMBERSHIP:
The National Federation of the Blind is an organization dedicated to
creating opportunity for all blind persons.
Recipients of Federation scholarships need not be members of the National
Federation of the Blind.
MAKING
APPLICATION:
To apply for National Federation of the Blind scholarships, complete and
return this application, attaching to the application all the additional
documents requested on page two. Multiple
applications are unnecessary. Each
applicant will be considered for all scholarships for which he or she qualifies.
Send completed applications to Mrs. Peggy Elliott, Chairman, National
Federation of the Blind Scholarship Committee, 805 Fifth Avenue, Grinnell, Iowa
50112; (641) 236-3366. Form must be
received by March 31, 2001.
REAPPLICATION:
Those who have previously applied are encouraged to apply again.
It is the intention of the National Federation of the Blind to award no
fewer than three scholarships to men and women who have already received one
Federation scholarship in the past if enough strong and worthy candidates apply.
WINNERS:
The Scholarship Committee reviews all applications and selects the
scholarship winners. These winners,
the same number as there are scholarships to award, will be notified of the
selection by telephone by June 1 and will be brought to the National Federation
of the Blind convention in July at Federation expense.
This is in addition to the scholarship grant.
Winners will participate in the entire convention and in the scheduled
scholarship program activities, beginning with functions on Sunday, June 30,
2001. All decisions by the
Scholarship Committee are final.
The National Federation of the Blind convention is the largest gathering
of blind persons (more than 2,500) to occur anywhere in the nation each year.
You will be able to meet other blind students and exchange information
and ideas. You will also be able to
meet and talk with blind people who are successfully functioning in your chosen
profession or occupation. Federal
officials, members of Congress, and the makers and distributors of new
technology attend Federation conventions. Above
all, a broad cross section of the most active segment of the blind population of
the United States will be present to discuss common problems and plan for
concerted action. It is an
interesting and exciting week.
AWARDS:
The day before the convention banquet the Scholarship Committee will meet
to determine which winners will receive which scholarships.
The scholarship awards will be made during the banquet.