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The program is currently closed. Please check back in February for updated program information.

 

Federated Challenge Scholarship Program for
Big Brothers Big Sisters Agencies in MN
Application status: Closed

The three Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies in Minnesota (BBBS of Central Minnesota, BBBS Twin Cities, and BBBS of Southern Minnesota), through generous donations from the Federated Insurance Foundation and the donors to the Federated Challenge, have established a scholarship program to assist current and past Little Brothers and Little Sisters, as well as High School Big Brothers and Big Sisters.

The program is administered by Scholarship America, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarship, tuition assistance and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations and individuals. Awards are granted without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, age, gender, disability or national origin.

Eligibility
Applicants to the Federated Challenge Scholarship for Big Brothers Big Sisters Agencies in Minnesota must:

  • Be a current or past Little Brother or Little Sister or High School Big Brother or Big Sister for a minimum period of 18 months prior to application deadline date, and have been matched through either Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota or Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Minnesota.
  • Be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident status.
  • Have attained a high school diploma or GED (or will have graduated prior to the term for which the scholarship application is being submitted).
  • Be enrolled or plan to enroll part-time or full-time in a non-four year program at a trade, technical or community college or another accredited Minnesota postsecondary school to obtain an apprenticeship, certificate or associate’s degree.
  • Have a minimum grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent).
  • Have completed the FAFSA for the upcoming academic year.

Award
If selected as a recipient, the student will receive an award ranging from $250 to $5,000 to be divided evenly between the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters. Funding can be applied toward tuition, fees, books, and other necessary expenses related to the particular program or training (i.e. tools, materials, cookware, etc.). Scholarships are a one-time award. Students may re-apply each year, but funding cannot exceed $5,000 per year, and will not continue beyond the established time necessary to complete the program or degree.

Award recipients will be required to:

  • Turn in all paperwork when Scholarship America requests it
  • Attend a college prep event or meeting – summer (High School students only)
  • Attend Federated Golf tournament
  • Give back to the BBBS community two times per calendar year through your choice of opportunities including (but not limited to): volunteering at an agency event/match activity, helping at the BBBS office with behind-the-scenes projects, sharing your story with matches or with BBBS staff, or becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister
  • Connect with the College Access representative at your BBBS agency at least once per semester

Selection of Recipients
Selection criteria will include academic performance, essays and recommendation letters.

While financial need will not be an eligibility criterion, the amount of each award will be determined by each applicant’s financial need and their intended program cost. The BBBS selection committee will determine this based upon the recipient’s EFC on the Student Aid Report (result of FAFSA application) and the anticipated program costs submitted by the applicant with the application, and confirmed by BBBS.

Selection of recipients is made by BBBS. All applicants agree to accept the decision as final.

Notification
Applicants will be notified by the end of June. Not all applicants to the program will be selected as recipients. Students may reapply to the program each year they meet eligibility requirements.

Payment of Scholarships
Scholarship America processes scholarship payments on behalf of BBBS. First half award payments are made in August 2020. Second half award payments are made in January 2021, depending on when proof of enrollment and a transcript of grades is received from each recipient. Checks are mailed directly, and made payable, to the school for the student.

As part of your application, you must upload the following documents:

  1. A current, complete transcript of grades. Grade reports are not accepted. Transcripts must display student name, school name, grades and credit hours for each course and term in which each course was taken.
  2. Your Student Aid Report (result of 2020-21 FAFSA application submission). This will be used to help determine the amount of your award.
  3. One (1) Letter of Recommendation.
    • An academic letter of recommendation (required from a teacher or professor, advisor, or school official)
    • Optional Letter 2:
      • Current/former High School Big Brothers and Big Sisters:
        A letter of recommendation from a BBBS staff member (preferred, though not required). If this is not possible, please send a letter from an employer, coach, academic professional (different than Letter 1), or other non-relative.
      • Current/former Little Brothers and Little Sisters:
        A letter of recommendation from your Big Brother/Big Sister (preferred, though not required). If this is not possible, please send a letter from an employer, coach, academic professional (different than Letter 1), or other non-relative.
  4. If applicable, include documentation of supplies costs for technical programs.

Your application is not complete until all required documents are submitted electronically.

Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies in Minnesota (BBBS of Central Minnesota, BBBS Twin Cities, and BBBS of Southern Minnesota), through generous donations from the Federated Insurance Foundation and the donors to the Federated Challenge, have partnered with Scholarship America. Selecting the button below will redirect you to the Scholarship America Student Hub!