1999 NFB Scholarship Program

1999 NFB Scholarship Program

The 1999 National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program

by Peggy Elliott

Chairman

NFB Scholarship Committee

Special Announcement

The National Federation of the Blind is delighted to announce an enhancement of its

already extensive scholarship program. For us, the occasion is a joyful one although there

is sadness as well because the enhancement honors our long-time leader, Dr. Kenneth

Jernigan, who recently passed away. Those who knew Dr. Jernigan know he would have been

the first to rejoice in the gift of the generous donor, Dr. Ray Kurzweil, who says:

"Dr. Jernigan was many things to many people, but perhaps most of all he was a

teacher. One thing we can do to follow his inspiring lead is to help provide for the

education of our talented young people. I know that Dr. Jernigan was personally very proud

of the NFB's scholarship program. I am very happy that we are able to participate in the

NFB's own scholarship program by providing these additional scholarships."

Kurzweil Foundation headed by Dr. Kurzweil will add a cash scholarship of $1,000 to

each of the 26 NFB scholarships in 1999 and also in 2000. Kurzweil Education Group of

Lernout & Hauspie (formerly Kurzweil Educational Systems, Inc.) will also give a

Kurzweil 1000 Reading System with scanner (valued at $1,500) to each of the 26 winners in

1999 and in 2000.

The National Federation of the Blind thanks the Kurzweil Foundation, Kurzweil

Educational Group, and Dr. Ray Kurzweil personally for their generosity and also for their

quick action in fashioning this living monument to Dr. Jernigan's well-known commitment to

excellence and education. NFB scholarship winners are always unusual and

special—among the best we have. Winners for 1999 and 2000 will have the added

distinction of being recipients of scholarships in Dr. Jernigan's memory.

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.

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 (editor's note:

please see special announcement above), 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 Application

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:

One 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.

Three 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.

Twenty-two 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 following application, attaching to the application all the

additional documents. 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

Please read instructions and explanation above. Form may be photocopied but only if all

information in preceding pages 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.