Before Turning in Application:

When submitting the Sondra J. Kaminski Scholarship Application, be sure to include the following:

  1. Your name and Social Security Number on a separate piece of paper. This information will be kept secure at the Foundation, only be used by BCF staff, and not shared with committee members, etc. The Social Security Number is required.
  1. High School transcript and if not included on this transcript, ACT score transcript
  1. A copy of FAFSA Determination letter with Expected Parental Contribution ORcopy of the most recently filed (can be prior year) 1040 tax return (both applicant’s and parents’ returns). Black out the Social Security Numbers for anyone on these documents.
  1. Three letters of recommendation:
  • One from a teacher, former teacher or school official
  • One from a community member
  • One from a personal reference other than a relative
  1. A one page personal essay, typed, stating your career goals and how a scholarship would help you accomplish these goals
  1. Any additional requirements as outlined in the scholarship description

The application MUST be typed, no staples. Please do not put completed application in any type of binder, simply paperclip pages in upper left hand corner. All applications must be postmarked by March 4 by a post office and sent to the Berrien Community Foundation, 2900 S. State Street, Ste. 2E, St. Joseph, MI 49085.

If you have any questions, call (269) 983-3304 x 2. School counselors will be notified by the Foundation around May 1 regarding the scholarship recipient(s). Around May 5, the recipients' names will be posted on the Foundation's Web site at .In mid-May, scholarship recipients will receive invitations to the Foundation’s June 16 scholarship event. Recipients are expected to attend.At this event, certificates will be presented. An official memo with information on how to access the scholarship will be sent by the Foundation to recipients by the end of June. The scholarship will be paid directly to the college/university on the student's behalf by mid September, if this information is provided.

Sondra J. Kaminski

Scholarship

Please return application to:

BERRIEN COMMUNITY FOUNDATION

2900 South State Street, Suite 2 East

St. Joseph, MI 49085

Attn. BCF Scholarships

Sondra J. Kaminski Scholarship

The Sondra J. Kaminski Scholarship is administered by the Berrien Community Foundation

Application Instructions

Before preparing this application, please review the criteria outlined below.

The application and all support material must be submitted or postmarked by March 6, 2017.

The application MUST be typed, no staples. Please do not put the completed application package in any type of binder. Simply paper clip pages in upper left hand corner. It must be postmarked by a post office. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Scholarship Purpose: This scholarship was established by Sondra J. and Kenneth W. Kaminski. It is in honor of Sondra. They would like to give back to this community through this scholarship program.

Scholarship Criteria: This is a nonrenewable scholarship of $2,500 for individuals meeting the following criteria: 3.0 or above GPA, a Lake Michigan Catholic High School or St. Joseph High School graduating senior, financial need, volunteer/community activities involvement, and good citizenship. This scholarship is to be used at Western Michigan University (preferred, any campus; but can be used at other 4-year colleges/universities)for tuition, books, fees, and other costs related to attending, but not for room and board.

To complete your application, provide the following in order:

Signed Application

Three letters of recommendation, one from a teacher, former teacher or school official, one from a community member and one from a personal reference other than a relative

A one page personal essay, typed, stating your career goals and how a scholarship would help you accomplish these goals

High school transcript, and if not included on this transcript, ACT or SAT transcript

Evidence of financial need. A copy of FAFSA Determination Letter with Estimated Expected Family Contribution.

If you have any questions, email or call (269) 983-3304 x 4. School counselors will be notified by the Foundation in May regarding the scholarship recipient(s). In mid-May, scholarship recipients will receive invitations to the Foundation’s scholarship event in June. At this event, certificates will be presented. Information on how to access the scholarship will be sent to recipients by the end of June. The scholarship will be paid directly to the college/university on the student's behalf by early September, if this information is provided.

Return the completed application and all support material to:

Berrien Community Foundation

Scholarships

2900 S. State Street, Suite 2 East

St. Joseph, MI 49085

Sondra J. Kaminski Scholarship Application

Applicant Information – Must Be Typed

Name: Click here to enter text.

Address: Click here to enter text.

City: Click here to enter text.State: Zip:

Primary Phone: Click here to enter text. Cell Phone: Click here to enter text.

Email: Click here to enter text. Date of Birth (mm/dd/yyyy):

Are you a U.S. Citizen?☐Yes ☐No (proof of citizenship or authorization to be in the U.S. will be required, if a scholarship is awarded)

If not a U.S. citizen, what type of visa do you hold? Click here to enter text.

Name of Parents/Guardian: Click here to enter text.

Phone Number: Click here to enter text.

High School Information:

High School: Click here to enter text.

GPA: Click here to enter text.ACT or SAT Score: Click here to enter text.

Counselor: Click here to enter text.Phone: Click here to enter text.

Counselor Email: Click here to enter text.

Graduation Date (mm/dd/yyyy):

School Awards Ceremony (include date and time):

Scholarship Celebration Availability

(Please note, failure to attend may result in loss of scholarship.)

Are you available to attend the Scholarship Celebration on June 22, 2017? Yes ☐No ☐

College/ University Information

List the U.S. schools to which you have applied for admission in order of preference:

1. Click here to enter text. Were you accepted? Yes ☐No ☐Pending ☐

2. Click here to enter text. Were you accepted? Yes ☐No ☐Pending ☐

3. Click here to enter text. Were you accepted? Yes ☐No ☐Pending ☐

School, Church and Community Leadership Activities

Using the space below, please list school, church or community activities in which you have participated during the past four years. Please list the activities in order of importance to you. You may attach additional information if necessary.

Organization / # of Years / Leadership Position, Awards and Recognition
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Signatures - Cannot be electronic signatures. Must submit a signed hard copy.

Certification:

I acknowledge that the information in this application is correct to the best of my knowledge. I fully understand that if an award is given to me, it is for the purpose of post-high school education. In the event that I do not enter a post-high school program, terminate the program prior to using the award, or receive other financial assistance (Pell grants, scholarships, tuition grants, etc.) that cover, in its entirety, any tuition, room and board, or class material costs, I will relinquish claim to the award in order that it might be given to another student. I also acknowledge that distribution of all scholarships is contingent upon funds available.

This scholarship, like all scholarships awarded through the Berrien Community Foundation, is made at the discretion of the Board of Trustees. The Berrien Community Foundation Board of Trustees reserves the right to rescind any or all of this scholarship due to unanticipated circumstances.

Signature of Applicant: ______Date: ____/____/____

Permission to Release Information:

We accept the terms of this scholarship program and permission is granted to the Berrien Community Foundation to seek verification of any information provided in this application from any source, for review by the officers and trustees of the Foundation or any other person authorized by the Foundation. We hereby release from liability any person submitting information to the Foundation for use in the selection of scholarship recipients.

Signature of Applicant: ______Date: ____/____/____

Parent’s or Guardian’s Signature: ______Date: ____/____/____

Return this completed form and all support material to:

BCF Scholarships

Berrien Community Foundation

2900 S. State Street, Suite 2 East

St. Joseph, MI 49085

Phone: 269-983-3304 x 4

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