Binc Opens 2018 Higher Education Scholarship Applications

The Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation began accepting applications for its annual Higher Education Scholarship Program on January 14. Applications will be accepted until March 5, 2018.

Binc will award up to $109,000 in scholarships to eligible bookstore employees or owners, independent booksellers association employees, as well as former Borders Group employees. Dependents of these employees are also eligible to apply. 

The awards will be broken down as follows: 24 awards of $3,500, two awards of $10,000, and one Karl Pohrt Tribute Scholarship award of $5,000 granted to an independent bookstore candidate who has overcome learning adversity or is a non-traditional student.

“The Binc Higher Education Scholarship is just one of the ways we seek to create opportunities for booksellers to pursue their dreams,” said Binc Executive Director Pam French. “Helping to reduce the financial burden of college or trade school tuition for booksellers and their families is one way Binc can help fulfill our mission to strengthen the entire bookselling community.”

This year, the minimum number of days a person must work in a brick-and-mortar bookstore has been decreased. All current employees/owners and dependents of retail bookstores in the U.S. who have a minimum of 90 days of continuous employment are eligible. The bookstore must have a retail bricks-and-mortar presence in the U.S. and generate a substantial portion of its revenue from the sale of books. Eligible employees must be employed directly by the bookstore.

“In order to help as many booksellers as possible achieve their education goals, the decision was made to reduce the employment period to 90 days from the previous requirement of one year,” French said. 

Started in 2001, the Binc Foundation’s Higher Education Scholarship Program has supported the educational goals of more than 675 recipients with more than $1.9 million in awards. The program’s focus continues to be on making a positive impact on the lives of bookstore employees and their families through supporting educational achievement. 

One of the recipients of a 2017 Higher Education Scholarship, Mykala Matheny from Viewpoint Books in Columbus, Indiana shared how her scholarship helped her build toward her goal of working in the film industry. 

“I would not be able to pursue what I love to the extent to which I am without the support I’ve received through Binc,” she said. “You have enabled me to begin living the life I dreamed of in high school, and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart.” 

Scholarship America (Scholarship Management Services) will again manage the 2018 scholarship program. The evaluation process will utilize selection criteria including financial need, prior academic achievement and leadership capabilities (including participation in school and community activities) as well as work experience, a statement of career and educational goals and objectives, and unusual personal or family circumstances. 

To apply for a Binc Scholarship, visit the Scholarship America website.

Since its inception in 1996, the Book Industry Charitable Foundation has provided more than $6.5 million in financial assistance and scholarships to more than 7,300 families. Support for the Foundation’s programs and services comes from all sectors of the book industry.