AFB 2010 Scholarship Application

The deadline for applying for AFB's 2010 scholarships is April 30, 2010.

We are now accepting applications for the 2010 AFB scholarships. Please read through the instructions carefully, as our application process has changed from previous years.

It is in your best interest to review the entire application before submitting the application. Most of AFB's scholarships are designated for specific fields of study. Please read the scholarship descriptions carefully, so that you choose scholarships that are available for your field of study. You will only be considered for the scholarships that you select on the application.

APPLICATIONS AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS MUST BE RECEIVED BY AFB NO LATER THAN APRIL 30, 2010.

THE SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW ONLY THOSE APPLICATIONS THAT ARE COMPLETE WITH SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS AND MEET ALL SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS.

THE AFB SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE WILL NOT SEND REMINDERS OR NOTICES TO STUDENTS WHO ARE MISSING DOCUMENTATION. It is your responsibility to make sure that your documentation is in order. When you submit your application, a checklist will be sent to you via email which will guide you in assembling your scholarship packet.

General Requirements: You may use this application form to apply for more than one scholarship. It is not necessary to include multiple copies of supporting documents, even if you are applying for more than one scholarship. All applications MUST include the following items, without exception:

• COMPLETED ONLINE APPLICATION for 2010, including all sections of the essay. Essays will not be accepted separately from the application. You may cut and paste your essay from a word processing program when you are ready to submit the application. The essay section of the application is comprised of three sections. Part One (at least 200 words) concerns your past and current achievements; Part Two (at least 200 words) concerns your field of study and why you have chosen it; Part Three (at least 200 words) concerns what role your visual impairment has played in shaping your life. Torres applicants must also complete Part Four.
• OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS: An official, original transcript from the school you are presently attending and the one most recently attended. High school students need to send only the current transcript. Undergraduate students should send the high school transcript and the current transcript. Graduate students should send the undergraduate transcript and the current transcript.
• PROOF OF POST-SECONDARY ACCEPTANCE: A letter or documentation from a college or university admissions office establishing that you have been accepted to post-secondary studies in an accredited program.
• TWO (2) LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION: Only letters from academic advisors, teachers, or rehabilitation counselors will be accepted.
• PROOF OF U.S. CITIZENSHIP: Only the following items will be accepted-a photocopy of a birth certificate, naturalization papers, or a photocopy of a U.S. passport. [EXCEPTION: U.S. citizenship is NOT required for the Ferdinand Torres Scholarship.]
• PROOF OF LEGAL BLINDNESS: AFB requires a recently signed letter on a single page of official stationery from an optometrist, ophthalmologist, or state or private agency for the blind, certifying that you are legally blind. No other statements, medical reports, or affidavits will be accepted. PLEASE DO NOT SEND ENTIRE MEDICAL REPORTS. The letter must clearly state that you are legally blind (i.e., have best corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye, and/or a visual field of less than 20 degrees in the better eye).

For scholarships requiring proof of economic need:

• FAFSA (Free Application For Federal Student Aid): AFB requires a copy of the Student Aid Report (SAR) section of your FAFSA application. No other proof of economic need will be considered. Please make sure that the entire Student Aid Report is sent to us. [EXCEPTION: non-citizens applying for the Ferdinand Torres Scholarship must provide other official papers as proof of economic need.] To obtain your Student Aid Report: Go to the FAFSA Home Page at www.fafsa.us.gov. On the home page is a heading titled FAFSA FOLLOW UP. Beneath that is a link called "View and Print your Student Aid Report." Selecting this link will guide you through the process of obtaining a print version of your current Student Aid Report.

Supporting documents are to be collected and SENT IN ONE ENVELOPE to the AFB Scholarship Committee. Do not send any documents until you have all the materials required. Incomplete scholarship packets will not be considered.

The following scholarships are available for 2010:

Scholarships in the Field of Rehabilitation and/or Education of Persons who are Blind or Visually Impaired:

The Delta Gamma Foundation Florence Margaret Harvey Memorial Scholarship: One (1) scholarship of $1,000 to an undergraduate or graduate student in the field of rehabilitation or education of persons who are blind or visually impaired.

The Rudolph Dillman Memorial Scholarship: A one-time award not open to previous recipients. It provides four (4) scholarships of $2,500 each to undergraduates or graduates who are studying full-time in the field of rehabilitation or education of persons who are blind and/or visually impaired. One of these awards is reserved specifically for a student who presents proof of economic need (Student Aid Report required).

Scholarship for Engineering or Computer, Physical, or Life Sciences:

The Paul and Ellen Ruckes Scholarship: Provides one (1) scholarship of $1,000 to a full-time undergraduate or graduate student in the field of engineering or in computer, physical, or life sciences.

Scholarship for Literature or Music:

The R.L. Gillette Scholarship: Two (2) scholarships of $1,000 each to women who are enrolled in a full-time four-year undergraduate degree program in literature or music.

In addition to the general requirements, Gillette applicants must submit with their supporting documents:

• A performance tape/CD not to exceed 30 minutes, or a creative writing sample.

The Gladys. C. Anderson Memorial Scholarship: One (1) scholarship of $1,000 given to a female undergraduate or graduate student studying classical or religious music.

In addition to the general requirements, Anderson applicants must submit with their supporting documents:

• A performance tape/CD not to exceed 30 minutes.

The Karen D. Carsel Memorial Scholarship provides one (1) scholarship of $500 to a full-time graduate student who presents evidence of economic need. (Student Aid Report required.)

The Ferdinand Torres Scholarship provides one (1) scholarship of $2,500 to a full-time undergraduate or graduate student. Strong preference will be given to new immigrants to the United States, and to those residing in the New York City metropolitan area. To be eligible the applicant must reside in the United States, but need not be a citizen of the United States.

In addition to the general requirements, Torres applicants must submit with their supporting documents:

• Evidence of economic need
• Proof of residence in the United States (e.g. telephone bill; utility bill)
• Immigrants must include a description of country of origin and reason for coming to the U.S. (To be included in Part Four of the application essay.)

Related Articles

• Other Scholarships and Grants for Students who are Blind or Visually Impaired