What You Should Know to Win Yourself a Scholarship

by Catherine Mendez

From the Editor: Cayte is not only a first-rate member, teacher, and citizen. She can really write, and this she does to talk about scholarships and how students can go about getting one. Here is what she says:

Each year the NFB scholarship program receives many, many questions related to the hows and whys of the scholarship process. Many of the answers to these questions can be found at https://nfb.org/programs-services/scholarships-and-awards/scholarship-program/scholarship-program-faqs, however, it is worth expanding on some of the responses to these frequently asked questions in order to give a fuller, more detailed view of the scholarship program. The following is an overview of the program, its benefits, and the application process. Remember, you can’t win if you don’t apply, and now is the perfect time to start getting your application materials together!

What is the purpose of the NFB scholarship program?

The NFB scholarship program has two long-time, overarching goals that continue to guide our work. First, the program seeks to support and promote the academic and career success of blind students nationwide by rewarding scholastic excellence. Second, the program serves as an opportunity to grow potential leaders within our organization by selecting applicants who exhibit ingenuity, creativity, and the ability to motivate others and giving them access to Federation leadership at the highest levels through the convention mentoring process.

How are scholarships selected and awarded?

In April, the NFB scholarship committee will review all of the several hundred applications the program will have received on or before the March 31 deadline. This group of successful blind Federation leaders from across the country will select the top thirty applicants who will become the scholarship class of 2023. There are far more qualified applications each year than there are scholarships to be awarded. Applicants who have applied before and have not yet received a scholarship should apply again. Some members of the scholarship class of 2022 received their scholarships after two or even three attempts. Don’t give up!

What is the value of an NFB scholarship?

The process of applying for a scholarship, and the experience of being a winner, are the true prizes, above and beyond the financial award. Yes, each of the thirty finalists for 2023 will receive $8,000 to help pay for college expenses, but while the money will be quickly spent, the benefits of being a scholarship winner will last for a lifetime. During the NFB’s national convention, which all finalists are required to attend in full, scholarship finalists have the opportunity to network with other blind students, to exchange information and ideas, and to meet and talk with hundreds of blind people who are successfully employed in many occupations and professions.

There is no dollar amount that can be assigned to the friendships that develop among the members of a scholarship class, as they support one another during an action-packed week of getting to know the Federation and sharing their own accomplishments and goals with us. Likewise, there isn’t a financial equivalent to the unprecedented access our finalists gain every year to the outstanding leaders who serve as members of the scholarship committee. Through discussions with these successful blind mentors, scholarship winners have an unequaled opportunity to get to know our organization’s leaders by asking questions and discussing their own ideas and opinions. They also have the chance to make all of our Federation experiences richer as they share their own diverse experiences and perspectives with us during the Board of Directors meeting and at student division events.

When the gavel drops each year and convention draws to a close, the rewards of the scholarship program do not come to an end. Our winners continue to deepen their connections and maintain their collaboration with one another as they pursue their various academic degrees and professional goals. They continue to build relationships with the Federation through involvement with their state affiliates, strengthening and evolving the foundations laid during those initial applicant interviews and enriched during the week of the convention itself. Our winners develop and strengthen professional networks with other blind people in their chosen fields and with members who share in their intersectional identities through the work of our divisions and groups. They serve on NABS [National Association of Blind Students] boards, take on the work of the Federation in their affiliates, and carry what they have learned about the capacity of the blind into their schools, communities, and families. The scholarship checks are mailed and cashed in August, but the rewards of being an NFB scholarship recipient last for a lifetime

What constitutes an outstanding scholarship application?

The best way to answer this is to begin by debunking some persistent myths around the scholarship selection process. Many think the key to becoming a scholarship winner is a high grade point average. While an applicant’s GPA certainly has value because it demonstrates their ability to learn and be successful academically, this is by no means the only attribute that influences the decisions of the scholarship committee. Likewise, others believe that the secret to winning is abundant participation in extracurricular activities. Recognizing an applicant’s willingness to take on commitments outside of school and/or work can help the committee develop a portrait of a well-rounded individual, however, this is also not sufficient in itself to justify a scholarship award.

Still others think the magic scholarship winning ingredient is an applicant’s level of commitment to the NFB. It is certainly true that the scholarship program provides our organization with a tremendous opportunity to develop future leaders, but scholarship awards are by no means restricted to members of the organization. The National Federation of the Blind is dedicated to creating opportunities for all blind people. Recipients of NFB scholarships need not be members of the NFB. Many of our past winners were not even aware of the NFB before they applied for our scholarships.

Others speculate that the committee looks for winners among applicants from specific fields of study or specific demographics. However, over the years, students of all ages and in widely differing fields have become finalists. The class of 2022 included students entering their freshman year, as well as older students who were nearly ready to write their PhD dissertations. Past scholarship winners are working toward credentials for employment in many diverse fields.

The truthful answer is that there is no one attribute that serves as the proverbial silver bullet for guaranteeing that an applicant will receive a scholarship. The committee examines each application on its own merits, and considers each applicant within the context of the materials they submit. The best way to ensure yourself a chance to win is to apply by submitting a complete application that represents your achievements and goals with authenticity.

What constitutes a complete scholarship application?

A complete application consists of the official application form and a student essay, plus these supporting documents: student transcripts, one letter of recommendation, and proof of legal blindness. Each applicant must also complete an interview with the NFB affiliate president of their state of residence or the state where they will be attending school. High school seniors may also include a copy of the results of their ACT, SAT, or other college entrance exams.
Students should carefully consider who can do the best job of writing their letter of reference. These letters should support the application by being full of facts and observations that will help the members of the committee see the applicant as a bright, active student and citizen.
Remember to use the spell checker (or a human proofreader) before submitting the essay! In an effective essay the applicant will talk about their life in a way that gives the committee insight into who they are. The essay should cover the ways in which each applicant lives successfully as a blind person and describe the applicant’s personal goals for the future. Information about positions of leadership is especially helpful. Committee members give the essay a great deal of attention.

It is true that the requirements for an NFB scholarship application are varied and extensive. It is a good idea to begin gathering the required documents as soon as possible and to begin reaching out to the prospective authors of recommendation letters to give those folks plenty of time to craft thoughtful, detailed letters that reflect well on each applicant.

If everything is uploaded but the submit button is not pressed, will the application be considered?

NO! Only submitted applications are considered by the committee! Remember, applicants can return to their online form as often as necessary during the application window, but MUST hit the submit button for their application to be considered complete. Those who have properly submitted will receive an email confirmation. If an applicant does not receive this confirmation email, their application will not be considered complete and cannot be reviewed by the committee. They should go back and hit submit as soon as possible to guarantee that their application will be considered.

Who is eligible to win an NFB scholarship?

Are you a legally blind student? Do you reside in one of the fifty states, the District of Colombia, or Puerto Rico? Will you be pursuing a full-time post-secondary course of study in a degree program at an accredited United States institution in the fall of the 2023-2024 academic year? Will you be eighteen years of age by July 1, 2023, and will you be able to participate in person in the entire NFB National Convention and in all scheduled scholarship activities from July 1 through July 6 if chosen as a finalist? If you answered yes to all these questions, please visit https://nfb.org/scholarships to begin the online application today!