February 19, 2016

2016 Scholarship Program

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Buggs Island Telephone Cooperative, I am pleased to announce our sixteenth year of offering a scholarship program, now offering three (3) awards. An award of $1,000 each will be given to two (2) qualified high school graduating seniors who will enroll this fall as a full-time student in an accredited institution of higher learning only in the Commonwealth of Virginia to obtain an Associate or Baccalaureate Degree. The third award of $1,000 will be given to a qualified high school senior who will be enrolled this fall as a full-time student at Southside Virginia Community College in Alberta.

Enclosed is an electronic copy of The Scholarship Packet which contains eligibility and criteria sheet and a two page application. Applicants for these scholarships must be a child of a member in good standing of the Buggs Island Telephone Cooperative and must have his/her primary residence with a parent or legal guardian who currently receives monthly communications service from Buggs Island Telephone Cooperative.

The Scholarship Packets are available from either the High School Guidance Office or at the Buggs Island Telephone Cooperative Business Office in Bracey, Virginia. The deadline for returning completed applications is Friday, April 29, 2016.

We appreciate your assistance in this matter, and you may direct questions to Mary Wade at 434-636-2274 ext 223 or 888-829-2844.


The Scholarship

A college scholarship can be a tremendous value to a student wanting to further their education after high school. As part of our commitment to community and education, Buggs Island Telephone Cooperative is proud to offer a Scholarship Program. This program was established to assist in financing the higher education of students whose families are current members of the Cooperative.

Buggs Island Telephone Cooperative will award two (2) scholarships in the amount of $1000 each as one-time awards to qualifying students who will be enrolled during this collegiate 2016 fall semester in a full-time course of study at an accredited, degree-granting college or university, technical school or proprietary trade school in the Commonwealth of Virginia only.

These two (2) scholarships will be paid directly to the school upon proof of the enrollment of the student during the fall semester of 2016 following graduation from high school.

Buggs Island Telephone Cooperative will award a $1000 scholarship as a one-time award to a qualifying student who will be enrolled at Southside Virginia Community College in Alberta during the upcoming 2016/2017 school year.

This scholarship will be paid directly to the SVCC upon proof of the enrollment of the student.

These scholarships can be used for tuition, books, housing or other costs directly related to the recipient’s education.

Scholarship monies not used within one (1) year of the award will be forfeited and

shall be reimbursed to Buggs Island Telephone Cooperative if the applicant does not attend school.

The scholarships will be awarded on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, gender, handicap or national origin.

Scholarship winners will be notified by May.

Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the Cooperative’s annual meeting in May.

If you have any questions regarding the scholarship program, please call 434-636-2274.

Eligibility & Criteria

The applicant must be a child of a member in good standing of the Buggs Island Telephone Cooperative and must have his/her primary residence with a parent or legal guardian who currently receives monthly communications service from Buggs Island Telephone Cooperative.

Applicant cannot be a member of the immediate family of a Buggs Island Telephone director or employee: i.e., child, grandchild, sister, brother, niece, nephew, stepchild or spouse.

Applicant must be an upcoming high school senior or in an acceptable home school program who has plans to be enrolled during the 2016 fall semester in a full-time course of study at an accredited, degree-granting college or university, a technical college or a proprietary trade school in the Commonwealth of Virginia only.

Applicant must complete the BIT-provided application form and submit it, along with a transcript of the last semester of school attended, by no later than 5 p.m. on the day of the listed dead line Friday, April 29, 2016. The application, in its entirety must be mailed or delivered to the Buggs Island Telephone Cooperative Scholarship Program, P. O. Box 129, Bracey, VA 23919.

Applicant must provide two (2) written recommendations with the application.

1.  One from a teacher or professor.

2.  One from a community leader.

Applicant must have maintained at least a 2.7 grade point average (based on 4.0 grade scale) throughout his/her high school career.

Applicant must provide in writing a descriptive list of his/her past and present activities in high school. Please include all extra- curricular activities through the school. Also list: awards, honors, athletic letters, officer positions, clubs, work experience and any other information relevant to your achievement.

Applicant must provide in writing any community activities or volunteer work.

Applicant must write an original 250 word essay according to the guidelines below:

1.  PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT NEATLY.

2.  Explain why this scholarship should be awarded to you.

3.  State what is your intended course of study, degree and anticipated date of receipt.

4.  Please explain why you wish to pursue your intended course of study.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION

Instructions: Please complete the form in its entirety. Attach separate sheets where indicated.

Return by 5 p.m. April 29, 2016 to:

Buggs Island Telephone Cooperative

P. O. Box 129

100 Nellie Jones Road

Bracey, VA 23919

434-636-2274

I,______have read the scholarship guidelines and meet the eligibility

requirements. If I am selected to receive one of the $1,000 scholarships, I understand that in order to accept the

award I must be enrolled in an accredited institution of higher learning in the Commonwealth of Virginia to

obtain an Associates or Baccalaureate degree.

Buggs Island Membership Information:

Member Name (as it appears on BIT bill)______

BIT Account Number______Home Phone______

Relationship to Applicant______

Applicant Information:

Applicant’s Name______

Permanent Home Address______

Daytime Telephone ( )______Social Security No.______

Education:

College To Be Attended (Fall of )______

Address ______

Telephone No.( )______

Most Recent SAT Score:______SOL Score If Applicable______

If SAT not taken, indicate why:______

High School Grade Point Average______

Student’s Class Rank: Number ______in a class of ______graduates.

ATTACH SEPARATE SHEETS WITH INFORMATION FOR EACH OF THE FOLLOWING:

1.  Transcript of last semester completed

2.  Participation in school and/or community activities during last two years.

3.  Honors and awards received.

4.  Brief original essay (250 words)

ATTACH TWO (2) LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Each letter must include the name, address and phone number of the person writing.

1.  One from teacher or professor.

2.  One from a community leader.

Work Experience:

Are you currently employed? Yes____ No_____

If yes, list place of employment, type of work and number of hours you work per week.

______

______

______

Statement of Applicant

To the best of my knowledge, the information provided in this application is true, correct and accurate.

Signed______Dated______

If applicant is residing with parent or guardian, signature is required.

Signed______Dated______

Guidance Counselor or Principal

Signed______Dated______