The Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation is accepting applications from now until February 28 for the expanded Binc Foundation Scholarship program. The program will offer two scholarships at the $10,000 level, and up to 51 $3,500 awards, together totaling $198,500, to eligible current bookstore employees or owners and their dependents, as well as former Borders Group employees and their dependents. Awards may be used for tuition, fees, books, supplies and room and board. Funds may also be used after the 2014-2015 academic year.
Foundation executive director Pam French commented: "We received such positive feedback regarding the scholarships awarded in 2013 that when it came time to plan for the 2014 scholarship program, it made sense to expand the program."
Scholarship America (Scholarship Management Services) will again conduct the scholarship program. Criteria include financial need, academic achievement, leadership capabilities and participation in school and community activities, work experience and a statement of career aspiration. To apply and for more information, go to scholarshipamerica.org/binc.
Founded in 1996 to provide assistance to bookstore employees with a financial need arising from severe hardship and/or emergency circumstances, the Foundation has provided more than $5 million in charitable assistance. And since 2001, the Foundation has supported the educational goals of almost 500 recipients with more than $1.1 million in awards.
The Binc Foundation aims to help all current employees or owners and dependents of retail bookstores in the U.S. who have a minimum of one year of continuous employment at a bookstore. The bookstore must have a retail bricks-and-mortar presence in the U.S. and generate a substantial portion of revenue from the sale of books. Eligible employees must be employed directly by the bookstore.
