Applications Due March 5 for Binc Higher Education Scholarship

Booksellers have until Tuesday, March 5, to send in their applications for the Book Industry Charitable Foundation’s (Binc) annual higher education scholarship program.

Binc revised the 2019 scholarship program to support booksellers’ dependents, spouses, and partners in pursuing higher education, an objective that more closely aligns the program with Binc’s mission to strengthen the book industry and support career booksellers by making college education more affordable for their families.

Binc will award seven $3,500 scholarships to the dependents of booksellers, and one Karl Pohrt Tribute Scholarship award of $5,000 will be granted to an independent bookseller who has overcome learning adversity or is a non-traditional student.

The program seeks to make a lasting impact in the lives of bookstore employees and former Borders Group employees by offering scholarships to their dependents and spouses/partners based on financial need, academic performance, and community involvement. Scholarships are offered for full- or part-time study at an accredited institution of the student’s choice.

The revised scholarship program reflects a change in eligibility requirements from previous years. Booksellers themselves are now only eligible for the Karl Pohrt Memorial Scholarship, and only booksellers’ dependents and spouses/partners are eligible for the seven higher education scholarships. The bookseller themselves must be currently employed at a brick-and-mortar bookstore and have been employed there for at least 90 days for their family members to be eligible for a higher education scholarship.

Since 2001, the Binc Foundation has supported the educational goals of over 680 students, awarding $1.9 million dollars in higher education scholarships. Now in its 18th year, the scholarship program is focusing on making a positive impact on the lives of bookstore employees and their families.

Scholarship America (Scholarship Management Services) will manage the 2019 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.

Booksellers can find out more details about the scholarship and apply here.