[nfbmi-talk] National Federation of the Blind of Michigan 2014 Scholarship Program

[trising at sbcglobal.net]

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
7189 Connors Rd.
Munising, MI 49862

June 8, 2014

To Whom it May Concern:

     The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan has allocated $1,000 that will be divided between two blind college students. 
The application is below. Along with submitting all pertinent documents, students must attend all State Convention activities and 
must have an interview with the scholarship committee. Please distribute this information far and wide to all blind high school 
seniors and college students that you are in contact with.

Sincerely,
Larry Posont
President
National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
(313) 727-3546
Email: president.nfb.mi at gmail.com
Web page: www.nfbmi.org


National Federation of the Blind of Michigan 2014 Scholarship Program


The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan is pleased to offer two scholarships ranging in the amounts of $250 to $750 to 
outstanding blind students in the state of Michigan. The exact amounts of these two scholarships will be determined at the State 
Convention by the Scholarship Committee. One thousand dollars has been allocated to be distributed to blind college students.

Scholarship winners will be required to attend the entire state convention of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan, and 
participate in all activities sponsored by the Michigan Association of Blind Students. In addition, scholarship winners will be 
required to meet with the scholarship committee on Saturday for lunch at the convention hotel restaurant.
      This convention will take place October 10-12, 2014 inFlint, Michigan. All convention expenses including transportation, hotel 
accommodations, and registration will be provided as part of this scholarship.

The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan offers this scholarship as a way to recognize the achievements of blind students in 
their academic affairs, personal pursuits, and service to their community. Since this scholarship is based on merit, it cannot be 
taken away from the student as a means to pay for rehabilitation services. If the Bureau of Services for Blind Persons states 
otherwise, The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan can provide written documentation to back up this statement.

The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan is an organization dedicated to creating opportunities that encourage security, 
equality and opportunity in the lives of blind people throughout the state of Michigan. However, applicants do not need to be a 
member of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan to apply for this scholarship.

To be eligible for this scholarship, all applicants must:

.	Be certified as being legally blind;
.	Be a resident of the state of Michigan;
.	Be pursuing a full-time postsecondary course of study in the 2014-2015 academic year;
.	Participate in the entire NFB of Michigan 2014 state convention and all scheduled scholarship activities; and
.	Submit all application materials by Friday, September 5, 2014.


Please make sure all applications are complete. The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan does not accept responsibility for 
incomplete applications. Each scholarship application will be reviewed by the scholarship committee, and winners will be notified by 
Friday, September 19, 2014. All decisions made by the scholarship committee are final.

NFBMI Scholarship Chairperson
Terri Wilcox
2533 Sandalwood Circle
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
trising at sbcglobal.net
(734)663-4050
National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
2014 Scholarship Application Checklist

Please use the following check list to make sure your scholarship application is complete. The scholarship committee is not 
responsible for notifying you if required information is missing from your application. When submitting your application, make sure 
to include the following items:

1. Completed 2014 Scholarship Application Form
Incomplete application forms will not be considered. Please write a response for each item in the application form. If an item does 
not apply to you, write "N/A" or "Not Applicable" for fields that do not apply to you. Please send one copy via email as well as one 
Braille or print copy with all other required documents.

2. NFB of Michigan Interview
This interview must be conducted via telephone by the Scholarship Committee of the National Federation of the Blind of Michigan.

3. Two additional letters of recommendation
These letters of recommendation should come from professors, teachers, employers, or other members of the community who are 
qualified to speak on your behalf. A good letter of recommendation should highlight your achievements in and out of the classroom as 
well as potential leadership skills. Submissions via email are preferred, but print letters will be accepted.

4. Current Transcripts
Please include an official copy of the transcript from the institution you are currently attending as well as any other 
post-secondary institutions you have attended. If you have completed less than 20 credit hours of post-secondary education, please 
include a copy of your high school transcript.

5. Verification of Blindness
All scholarship applicants must be legally blind. Applicants must verify they are legally blind by submitting a letter from a 
qualified professional such as an optometrist, ophthalmologist, vocational rehabilitation counselor, special education professional, 
or disability support services office.

All scholarship materials must be received by the scholarship committee by Friday, September 5, 2014. Please make sure to allow 
enough time for us to receive all of the print documents you send to us in the mail by this deadline. If you have any questions 
about the application process, please contact the scholarship chairperson, Terri Wilcox, via email at trising at sbcglobal.net or via 
telephone at (734)663-4050.

National Federation of the Blind of Michigan
2014 Scholarship Application Form

To Apply:  Complete the 2014 Scholarship Application Form electronically and email it to, trising at sbcglobal.net. Then mail a Braille 
or print copy with all required documents to:

NFBMI Scholarship Committee
Terri Wilcox
2533 Sandalwood Circle
Ann Arbor, MI 48105

For Questions: Contact the scholarship chairperson, Terri Wilcox, via email at trising at sbcglobal.net or via telephone at 
(734)663-4050.

Deadline:  All documentation must be received on or before September 5, 2014.

PART A: DEMOGRAPHIC Information

Name:

Home address:


Cell phone:

Home phone:

E-mail address:

Date of birth:

How did you hear about this scholarship program?


PART B: HIGH SCHOOL Information

Please fill out this section if you have completed less than 20 credit hours of post-secondary education. If this section does not 
apply to you, please answer "N/A" or "Not Applicable" to these questions.

Name and address of high school attended:


Cumulative Grade Point Average:

PART C: COLLEGE Information

Name and address of school you will be attending in the 2013-2014 academic year:


Class Standing (e.g. freshman, sophomore, etc.):

Cumulative Grade Point Average:

Field of Study:

Other postsecondary institutions attended along with Grade Point Average:


Vocational goal - Describe what you hope to do upon graduation from college:

PART D: Essay

The National Federation of the Blind of Michigan awards scholarships based on academic excellence, community service, and leadership 
potential. As you prepare to respond to the following questions, keep in mind that this is your only opportunity to demonstrate your 
best qualities to the scholarship committee.  Since the scholarship committee is made up of successful blind graduates and 
professionals, we will be interested in the techniques you use to live as an independent blind person. Please limit your responses 
to 250 words per question.

1. How do you see yourself as a blind person? How do you think others perceive you as a blind person? Do you agree or disagree with 
the perceptions that other people have about blindness?

2. What qualities do you think makes a good leader, and in what ways have you demonstrated these qualities in your own life? Do you 
think others would agree or disagree with you?

3. If you could list one accomplishment in your life you wish you could have done better, what would it be, and what did you learn 
from this experience?

4. How do you actively participate in your community as a blind person? This is your opportunity to share clubs and organizations 
you belong to on and off campus as well as how you manage to live as a blind person in a sighted world.

5. What two questions would you like to ask the scholarship committee, and why would you like to ask these questions?

PART E: CERTIFICATION STATEMENT.

By typing my full name and signing below, I confirm that all of the information provided in this scholarship application is true and 
correct to the best of my knowledge.

Signature:								Date: