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Good Morning , </div>
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2026 Scholarships season is officially open. The application has been provided in the body of this email and attached as a word document as well. </div>
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<p class="elementToProof" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 22pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>2026 ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM</b></span></p>
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<p class="elementToProof" style="text-indent: 0.5in; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">The National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut (NFB of CT) is an organization dedicated
to creating opportunities for all blind persons. In the furtherance of this goal, we have established our scholarship program. Recipients of NFB of CT scholarships need not be members of the National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut. NFB of CT scholarships
are judged on the basis of academic quality and service to the community.</span></p>
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</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><u>C. Rodney Demarest Memorial Scholarship</u></b>, in the amount of $3000, is given in loving memory by his family and friends. Blind since 18, he ran his own business
for many years, read NFB-Newsline faithfully, was always well-informed and was admired by his many friends.</span></p>
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</span><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><u>Zukowski Family Foundation Scholarship,
</u></b>in the amount of $2500. The Zukowski Family Foundation is honored to provide a scholarship for a Connecticut blind student.</span></p>
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<u>Doris Higley Memorial Scholarship</u></b>, in the amount of $2000, is given in loving memory of a friend of Mrs. Higley.
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; color: black;">Because we recognize that employment, family caregiving, and ongoing medical care, concurrent with post-secondary enrollment, can contribute to a need for students to carry
a part-time course load, t</span><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; color: black; background-color: white;">his scholarship may be awarded to an applicant enrolled part-time who meets all other eligibility requirements.</span></p>
<p class="elementToProof" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; color: black; background-color: white;">Additional scholarships may be awarded as funds and opportunity are available.</span></p>
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<i><u><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Eligibility</span></u></i></h2>
<p class="elementToProof" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">All applicants must be (a) legally blind, and (b) a Connecticut resident or attending school in-person in Connecticut.</span></p>
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<i><u><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Deadline Notification</span></u></i></h2>
<p class="elementToProof" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Completed applications must be submitted by
<b>September 1, 2026.</b> The scholarship committee will review all applications and notify finalists around September 30. The scholarships will be presented at the banquet of the National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut State Convention.
<b><u>ANY FINALISTS ARE REQUIRED TO ATTEND OUR STATE CONVENTION AT THE HILTON GARDEN INN IN GLASTONBURY ON THE WEEKEND OF NOVEMBER 6, 7 & 8, 2026 INCLUDING ANY CT ASSOCIATION OF BLIND STUDENTS ACTIVITIES.</u></b></span></p>
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<p class="elementToProof" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 20pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b><u>2026 APPLICATION FORM</u></b></span></p>
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<p class="elementToProof" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Please print or type clearly</b>.</span></p>
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<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Applicants Name________________________________________________________</span></h1>
<p class="elementToProof" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Permanent Address______________________________________________________</span></p>
<p class="elementToProof" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">_________________________________Telephone_____________________________</span></p>
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<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Current Address (if different from above) _____________________________________</span></h1>
<p class="elementToProof" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">_________________________________Telephone_____________________________</span></p>
<p class="elementToProof" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">E-mail address __________________________________________________________</span></p>
<p class="elementToProof" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Are you currently enrolled full-time ____ or part-time ____?</span></p>
<p class="elementToProof" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">College/University Name & City_____________________________________________</span></p>
<p class="elementToProof" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Year of Study in 2026-27 _________________________________________________</span></p>
<p class="elementToProof" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">List Institutions Previously Attended (High School and/or College)</span></p>
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<p class="elementToProof" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Attach the following documents</b>:</span></p>
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<b>Applicants Letter</b>: Describe your career goals and how our scholarship might help you in achieving them. Give us a brief biographical sketch tell us about your academic interests, your extracurricular activities, awards/honors you may have received
and any community service you have been involved in. </li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<b>Two Letters of Recommendation</b>: From teachers, professors, employers, or other professionals who know you well.</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<b>Certification of Legal Blindness, </b>or letter from a treating physician confirming legal blindness</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<b>Official Academic Transcripts:</b> Post-secondary students should obtain transcripts from all colleges/universities attended. You need not wait until spring term transcripts are available to apply now; you may submit spring term transcripts separately when
available, and we will contact you if they remain missing and are needed closer to the application deadlined.</li><li style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt 0.5in;">
<b>State Officers Letter</b>: A letter from a state officer of the National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut confirming that you have discussed your application with her or him. Call our state office for help on this.</li></ol>
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<p class="elementToProof" style="margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Applicants Signature_______________________________Date____________</span></p>
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<p class="elementToProof" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Mail or email your completed application and/or address any questions to:</span></p>
<p class="elementToProof" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>National Federation of the Blind of Connecticut</b></span></p>
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<p class="elementToProof" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>(860) 289-1971</b></span></p>
<p class="elementToProof" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>www.nfbct.org</b></span></p>
<p class="elementToProof" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: Tahoma, sans-serif; font-size: 14pt; color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><b>Info@nfbct.org</b></span></p>
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Have a great day, </div>
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Christina Thompson </div>
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Outreach Director</div>
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National Federation of the Blind CT</div>
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111 Sheldon Rd. Unit 420</div>
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Manchester, CT 06045</div>
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(860)289-1971</div>
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cthompson@nfbct.org</div>
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