February 29 Deadline for Binc Higher Education Scholarship Program

The Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation will accept applications for its 2016 higher education scholarship program for booksellers and their dependents through Monday, February 29. The program will award up to $109,000 in scholarships to eligible bookstore employees and owners, as well as former Borders Group employees. Dependents are also eligible to apply.

Two scholarships of $10,000 and 24 scholarships of $3,500 will be awarded, in addition to the Karl Pohrt Tribute Scholarship of $5,000, which will be granted to an independent bookstore candidate who has overcome learning adversity or is a non-traditional student.

Current employees or owners of retail bookstores in the U.S., or dependents of such individual, who have a minimum of one year of continuous employment at the bookstore as of the application deadline date are eligible to apply. The bookstore must have a bricks-and-mortar presence in the U.S. and have a substantial portion of the store’s revenue coming from the sale of books. Eligible employees must be employed directly by the bookstore.

Applicants must also plan to enroll in full- or part-time undergraduate or graduate study at an accredited two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school for at least half of the 2016–2017 academic year.

Scholarship America (Scholarship Management Services) will oversee the evaluation process, which will consider the applicant’s 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.

For full requirements and to apply for a Binc Scholarship, visit the Scholarship America website at https://www.scholarsapply.org/binc.