[5]As the Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation [5] enters the final weeks of its annual Higher Education Scholarship Program [6] application period, Binc has shared this “Top 5” list to encourage booksellers to submit their applications now:

Top 5 Reasons to Apply for a Binc Scholarship Today

5. No one wants student loan debt: Awards of $10,000, $5,000, and $3,500 are up for grabs

4. The application isn’t hard: We have streamlined the process

3. Good for more than just tuition: Use the award for supplies, lab fees, or room and board

2. The odds are great: 1 in 5 applicants were winners in 2017

1. The deadline is March 5, 2018: No time to waste

Binc will award up to $109,000 in scholarships to eligible bookstore employees or owners, independent booksellers association employees, as well as former Borders Group employees. Dependents of these employees are also eligible to apply. 

The awards will be broken down as follows: 24 awards of $3,500, two awards of $10,000, and one Karl Pohrt Tribute Scholarship award of $5,000 granted to an independent bookstore candidate who has overcome learning adversity or is a non-traditional student.

This year, the minimum number of days a person must work in a brick-and-mortar bookstore has been decreased. All current employees/owners and dependents of retail bookstores in the U.S. who have a minimum of 90 days of continuous employment are eligible. The bookstore must have a retail bricks-and-mortar presence in the U.S. and generate a substantial portion of its revenue from the sale of books. Eligible employees must be employed directly by the bookstore.

Started in 2001, the Binc Foundation’s Higher Education Scholarship Program has supported the educational goals of more than 675 recipients with more than $1.9 million in awards. The program’s focus continues to be on making a positive impact on the lives of bookstore employees and their families through supporting educational achievement. 

Scholarship America (Scholarship Management Services) will again manage the 2018 scholarship program. The evaluation process will utilize selection criteria including financial need, prior academic achievement and leadership capabilities (including participation in school and community activities) as well as work experience, a statement of career and educational goals and objectives, and unusual personal or family circumstances. 

To apply for a Binc scholarship, visit the Scholarship America website [6].

Since its inception in 1996, the Book Industry Charitable Foundation has provided more than $6.5 million in financial assistance and scholarships to more than 7,300 families. Support for the Foundation’s programs and services comes from all sectors of the book industry.