[Nfbc-info] Kenneth Jernigan scholarships now available for first timers

[Mary Willows]

The Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship Fund is looking for individuals 
who can use some financial assistance to attend our national convention in 
Dallas, Texas. In 2012 our convention will begin on Saturday, June 30, and 
run through Thursday, July 5. The convention is a day shorter than you might 
expect, ending with the banquet Thursday evening.

Who is eligible to receive a Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship?

If you are a member of the National Federation of the Blind who has not yet 
attended a national convention, you are eligible to apply.

What do I have to do to apply for a Kenneth Jernigan Convention Scholarship?

You must do the following and are responsible for these application 
requirements:

1. Find out who your state NFB president is and get him or her to write a 
letter of recommendation for you, or you may have a chapter president or 
other officer write a letter of recommendation, but we must have a letter 
from a Federation leader who is familiar with you.

2. You must write a letter to the Kenneth Jernigan Fund committee expressing 
the reasons why you want a scholarship. Describe your participation in the 
Federation and what you think you would get and give to the convention. 
Please send all information to Allen Harris, 5209 Sterling Glen Drive, 
Pinson, Alabama 35126, or email the information to <kjscholarships at nfb.org>.

3. You must register for and attend the entire convention, including the 
banquet.

What else must I do to insure that my application will be considered?

We must receive all of the following:

1. Your full name
2. Your address
3. Your telephone numbers (home, business, cell)
4. Your email address (if you have one)
5. Your state president's name and the name of your local chapter, if you 
attend one

All applications must be received by April 15, 2012.

How do I get my scholarship funds?


You will get a debit card at the convention loaded with the amount of your 
scholarship award. The times and locations to pick up your debit card will 
be listed in the notice you receive if you are a scholarship winner. The 
committee is not able to provide funds before the convention, so work with 
your chapter and state affiliate to assist you by advancing funds you can 
pay back when you receive your scholarship.

When will I know if I have been selected as a Kenneth Jernigan Scholarship 
winner?

The committee makes every effort to notify scholarship winners by May 15, 
but you must do several things to be prepared to attend if you are chosen:

1. You must make your own hotel reservation. If something prevents you from 
attending, you can cancel your reservation.

2. You will receive a letter with the convention details which should answer 
many of your questions. It is also helpful to find a mentor from your 
chapter or affiliate to act as a friend and advisor during the convention. 
Although you will not know officially whether or not you have been selected 
until mid-May, you must make plans to attend and then adjust your plans 
accordingly.

Last summer in Orlando the Jernigan Fund scholarship committee awarded 
sixty-four Kenneth Jernigan Scholarships. The average grant was $500. You 
can include in your letter to the committee any extenuating circumstances 
which the committee may choose to take into consideration. Above all, please 
use this opportunity to attend your first convention and join several 
thousand other blind Federationists in the most important meeting of the 
blind in the world.

If you have questions or need additional information, call Allen Harris at 
(205) 520-9979 begin_of_the_skype_highlighting              (205) 520-9979 
end_of_the_skype_highlighting or email him at <kjscholarships at nfb.org>. We 
look forward to seeing you in Dallas.



MMary Willows, President
National Federation of the Blind of California
mwillows at sbcglobal.net