Bellingham
2018 Enrichment Scholarship Program
APPLICATION GENERAL INFORMATION
The Assistance League of Bellingham (ALB) is offering summer Enrichment Scholarship opportunities to Whatcom County students who are currently enrolled in grades 6-11 in a public school (or are home-schooled with a public school affiliation). Private school students do not qualify and students who are related to an Assistance League member may not apply for a scholarship.
The scholarships are competitive, and not based on financial need. We would love to fund everyone, but we typically are only able to raise funds to award about half of the applications we receive. Scoring is done on the basis of an English essay and a letter of recommendation. Approximate point values are: 1/3 letter of recommendation, 1/3 English writing skills, and 1/3 content (e.g., does the essay convince us that the applicant will benefit from attending the chosen summer program?). A school transcript or report card is not required. Applicants are reminded that grammar and spelling count, and encouraged to spend time polishing their essays before submitting them. Points will be deducted for illegible or incomplete applications.
* Note a change this year… Previous winners may apply again. So yes, students can apply two years in a row even if a scholarship was received last year.
The program to be funded is selected by the student, and the student is responsible for applying to the program chosen. (ALB itself does not offer summer camps or programs.) Not every summer camp or program qualifies for the ALB Enrichment Scholarship. Acceptable programs include those in art, business, chess, dance, debate, drama, computers, ecology, journalism, language study, leadership, math, music, science, engineering, and more, including college preview programs. Not acceptable are private lessons, religion-centered programs, programs in foreign countries, or sports camps. Our scholarship is for programs running during summers only, not during the standard school year. Also, we do not pay for transportation.
Scholarship checks are made out to the program, not to the student, but the student is responsible for sending the check to the program. The scholarship can be applied to tuition and the cost of materials and supplies purchased from the program, but not transportation costs.
Before you fill out the application form, carefully review the complete cost of your desired summer program and calculate how much to request from ALB.
- For grades 6-8 the maximum award is $400
- For grades 9-11 the maximum award is $900
Students may apply for only ONE scholarship per year. Once the committee has selected the awardees, the award cannot be transferred to a different camp or program.
The deadline for receipt of the completed applications at the Assistance League Thrift Shop at 2817 Meridian, Bellingham, WA is Wednesday, March 28, 2018 by 4:00 pm. You may hand deliver it or mail it. Mailed applications need to be postmarked by March 28, 2018
If you have questions please email or call the ALB Thrift Shop at 360-738-2803 and leave a message asking for the ESP chairperson to call you back.
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