Applications Due March 11 for Binc Higher Education Scholarship

Booksellers have until Wednesday, March 11, to send in their applications for the Book Industry Charitable Foundation’s (Binc) annual higher education scholarship program.

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.

Scholarship America (Scholarship Management Services) will manage the 2020 scholarship program. The evaluation process will utilize selection criteria including financial need, prior academic achievement and leadership capabilities, work experience, a statement of career and educational goals and objectives, and unusual personal or family circumstances.

Binc Executive Director Pam French commented, “Every year we look forward to launching our scholarship program. Helping booksellers’ families achieve their educational goals is one of the many ways Binc supports booksellers and comic retailers. I encourage all booksellers who are the parents or guardians of students who are pursuing higher education to apply.”
 
Since 2001, the Binc Foundation has supported the educational goals of 688 students, awarding $1.9 million dollars in higher education scholarships. Now in its 19th year, the scholarship program continues to focus on making a positive impact in the lives of bookstore and comic book store employees and their families.

In addition to the Higher Education scholarship program, bookstore owners and employees wishing to expand their education — and stay in the industry — may apply for a variety of professional development scholarships. Applications are currently being accepted for the Denver Publishing Institute and applications will open later this year for the third annual Carla Gray Memorial Scholarship for Emerging Bookseller ­Activists and the Indies with Impact: A Penguin Random House-Binc community engagement project award.

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