1999 NFB Scholarship Program

1999 NFB Scholarship Program

The 1999 National

Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program

This year's scholarship program will be the

sixteenth since the organization determined to expand the number, variety, and value of

the scholarships presented each year at our annual convention in July. Assisting the

nation's most talented post-secondary students to fulfill their academic and professional

dreams is one of the most effective ways for us to demonstrate our conviction that blind

people deserve the chance to enter whatever field they demonstrate themselves equipped to

succeed in.

Scholarships will be presented this year to

twenty-six college, vocational-school, and graduate students. The awards will range in

value from $3,000 to $10,000, and we will bring the winners as our guests to the 1999

convention of the National Federation of the Blind to experience firsthand the excitement

and stimulation of a gathering of the largest and most dynamic organization of blind

people in the country today.

Again this year we plan to present up to three of

the scholarships to students who won scholarship awards in a previous competition. The

purpose of these special awards is to nurture in today's students an ongoing commitment to

the philosophy and objectives of the Federation. The students so designated will be

recognized and honored as the 1999 tenBroek Fellows. All current students who were

scholarship winners in previous years should take particular note of this program and

consider applying for the 1999 National Federation of the Blind scholarships.

Full-time employees interested in pursuing

post-secondary degrees should take a close look at the scholarship form. Now one award may

be given to a part-time student holding down a full-time job.

Every state affiliate and local chapter can help

in spreading the word of this extraordinary opportunity for America's blind students.

Scholarship applications have been or soon will be mailed to financial aid offices in

educational institutions around the country, but many of these will be filed away and

forgotten by the time students come to ask about financial assistance. It is very helpful

to have local representatives deliver or mail forms to the actual college administrator

who works with blind students. Being identified with such a valuable national scholarship

program gives the local chapter and state affiliate prestige and respect, and the local

touch insures that more blind students will actually have an opportunity to apply for

these scholarships.

Anyone can order scholarship forms from the

Materials Center, National Federation of the Blind, 1800 Johnson Street, Baltimore,

Maryland 21230. State Presidents and members of the 1999 Scholarship Committee will also

be sent scholarship forms. These may be copied as long as both sides of the form are

reproduced.

Here is the text of the 1999 National Federation

of the Blind scholarship application form:

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

1999 SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

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 1999, 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 1999 are listed here with any special restrictions

noted:

1 SCHOLARSHIP FOR $10,000

American Action Fund Scholarship—Given by

the American Action Fund for Blind Children and Adults, a nonprofit organization which

works to assist blind persons. No additional restrictions.

3 SCHOLARSHIPS, EACH FOR $4,000

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."

Two National Federation of the Blind

Scholarships—No additional restrictions.

22 SCHOLARSHIPS, EACH FOR $3,000

Hermione Grant Calhoun Scholarship—Dr.

Isabelle Grant endowed this scholarship in memory of her daughter. Winner must be a woman.

Mozelle and Willard Gold Memorial

Scholarship—Endowed by the energetic and effective former president of the National

Federation of the Blind of California, Sharon Gold, in loving memory of her mother and

father, both of whom were dedicated to creating opportunity for their daughter and for all

blind persons through Braille literacy and dedication to service. No additional

restrictions.

Frank Walton Horn Memorial Scholarship—Given

by Mr. and Mrs. Charles E. Barnum, the mother and stepfather of Catherine Horn Randall. 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.

Thirteen National Federation of the Blind

Scholarships—No additional restrictions, except that one will 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 the application on the reverse

side of this sheet, attaching to the application all the additional documents there

requested. 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; (515) 236-3366. Form must be received by March 31, 1999.

REAPPLICATION: Those who have previously applied

are encouraged to apply again. It is the intention of the National Federation of the Blind

to award not 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 Wednesday, June 30, 1999. 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.

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION FORM

Read reverse side of form for instructions and

explanation. Form may be photocopied but only if reverse side is also included.

To apply for a scholarship, complete this

application form and mail completed application and attachments to Mrs. Peggy Elliott,

Chairman, National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Committee, 805 Fifth Avenue,

Grinnell, Iowa 50112; (515) 236-3366. Form must be received by March 31, 1999.

Name (please include any maiden or other names by

which you have been known):

Date of birth:

School address:

School phone number:

Home address:

Home phone number:

Institution being attended in spring semester,

1999, with class standing (freshman, senior, etc.):

Cumulative grade point at this institution:

Institution to be attended in the fall of 1999,

with class standing. Send by separate letter if admitted to school after submitting

completed application:

List all post-secondary institutions attended

with highest class standing attained and cumulative grade point average:

High school attended and cumulative grade point:

Vocational goal:

State your major:

Awards and honors (attach list if necessary):

Community service (attach list if necessary):

Attach the following documents to completed

application:

1. Include personal letter from applicant. NFB

scholarships are awarded on the basis of scholastic excellence, financial need, and

service to the community. In preparing your personal letter, please keep in mind that the

committee members and decision-makers are all successful blind college graduates. Take

some time to think how you personally can convey your best qualities in your own words.

This is an advocacy job; the committee members will note how you choose to do it. Please

also keep in mind that the awards are restricted to blind persons, so the committee will

be interested in what techniques and approaches you personally practice concerning your

blindness. And please note that almost all blind 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 and extreme.

2. Send two letters of recommendation.

3. Provide current transcript from institution

now attending 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

high school transcript.

4. Send a letter from a state officer of the

National Federation of the Blind showing that you have discussed your scholarship

application with that officer. We prefer that you discuss your application with the

Federation state president, but a letter from any Federation state officer will suffice.

President's address provided upon request.