BERLIN COMMUNITY SCHOLARSHIP CORPORATION
POLICY SHEET
1. Eligible to apply: Resides in the Berlin School District and/or is a graduate of Berlin High School. (revised wording 10-10-01)
2. All applicants and recipients must be full-time undergraduate students; scholarships are not available for summer sessions. (revised wording 10-10-01)
3. Previous recipients may reapply.
4. Relatives of Board Members are eligible to receive a Scholarship, but the Board Member may not serve on the Scholarship Selection Committee.
5. The Board will decide annually the number and amount of the Scholarships to be awarded.
6. The BCSC Selection Procedures are as follows: The BCSC Board of Directors will verify eligibility of the applications. To retain anonymity the names are removed from the application and they are numbered. The numbered applications are then photocopied for the Selection committee. The Selection committee, consisting of five members, scores the applications using the following method: *The applicant’s cumulative grade point (based on a 4 point scale of A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1) is multiplied by three. This score counts for 75% of the total score. *The committee evaluates the applicant’s essay on a scale of 1 to 4 (4=excellent, 3=very good, 2=good, 1=fair) and may use half point (.5) increments. This score makes up the remaining 25% of the final score. *Applicants who received a BCSC scholarship the prior year will receive a deduction of 4 points and those applicants who received a BCSC scholarship two years prior will receive a 2 point deduction. Applicants who received a BCSC scholarship as a high school graduating senior receive no deduction for that year. *The cumulative grade point (multiplied by 3) is added to the essay score and any prior award points are then subtracted to arrive at the applicant’s total score. *Applications are then ranked by total points with the highest scores receiving scholarships. (revised wording 4-10-06)
7. Graduating High School Seniors must complete a full semester of post-secondary schooling and must have registered and paid tuition for the next full semester before the Scholarship funds are released.
8. Ongoing students in post-secondary education must supply a transcript of their grades with their application and have registered for the next full semester (not summer session) before the Scholarship Funds are released.
9. Individual memberships entitle each member one vote at the annual meeting. Larger donations from businesses, clubs or associations also entitle one representative one vote at the annual meeting.
10. Each Board member must be current in paid dues and must attend 50% of the board meetings in order to maintain his/her seat on the board. (revised wording 1-20-03)
11. The Scholarships awarded will be announced at the annual Awards Night Program at the Berlin High School (Letters will be sent in advance to the recipients not currently attending BHS so that they or a family representative can be present).
12. The right to name a specific Scholarship or to determine that the Scholarship be awarded to a student in a specific program or school will be left to the discretion of the Board at the time that the funds are provided. Provided, however, that at the sole discretion of the Board, donors of $500 or more may specify that the principal portion of the funds given shall be used to fund a specific scholarship in one or more years, and if so, any or all of the following conditions: (1) the name of the scholarship, (2) the field of study of the recipient, (3) that the recipient be working toward either an associate degree at a technical college or toward a bachelor’s degree at a college or university, and/or (4) whether the recipient must be a graduating high school senior, or attending or returning to a post secondary school. If a donor does not specify that they wish to fund a specific scholarship, then the monies will be placed in the general fund and the income therefrom will be used for future scholarships; but at the discretion of the Board, the donor’s gift may still be acknowledged publicly at the Award’s night program or otherwise, unless the donor has requested anonymity. (2nd and 3rd sentences added 4-14-98)
13. The amount allocated for scholarships each year will be based on 5% of the total assets averaged from the three (3) previous fiscal years. (For example: The Scholarships awarded in May of 1999, would be based on 5% of the total assets averaged from the fiscal years ending June 30, 1996, June 30, 1997 and June 30, 1998. The Scholarships awarded in May of 2000 would be based on 5% of the total assets averaged from the fiscal years ending June 30, 1998, June 30, 1999 and December 31, 1999). (Amended 4-20-99). Provided, however, that donors of $500 or more shall have the option set forth in policy #13 of specifying that the principal portion of the funds given shall be used to fund a specific scholarship and paid out over one or more years, rather than being added to the general fund. (2nd sentence added 4-14-98).
14. A letter of acknowledgment will be sent to Donors of $100 or more. (2-20-90)
15. Scholarships not claimed within one year of the date awarded will be voided and that amount shall then be added to the total amount to be disbursed at the next awards date. A recipient who is unable to claim a scholarship due to extenuating circumstances (i.e. illness, pregnancy, military responsibilities, etc.) may submit a written request for an extension to the BCSC board. To be considered for this extension, a written request must be submitted within one year of the date the scholarship was awarded. The board will use its discretion to determine whether or not an extension is to be granted. (6-25-91, 9-23-91, 4-7-03, 4-9-07)
16. Scholarship checks will be available from the BCSC, on or after August 1 for recipients for the fall semester and by December 1 for the spring semester. The Scholarship Certificate and a receipt for payment of tuition at the college or university must be sent to the BCSC at PO BOX 51, Berlin in order for the funds to be released. (9-26-94) (10-10-01)
17. After subtracting the amount for scholarships awarded and not yet paid from the fixed (guaranteed) portion of the accounts, the assets of the BCSC shall be allocated in the following manner: 40% to fixed (guaranteed) and 60% to non-guaranteed. After the end of the fiscal year, the Board shall determine if the allocation of assets is within 5% of the fixed (guaranteed) and non-guaranteed ratio. If not, action shall be taken by the Board to reallocate the assets. (9-25-00) (2-23-09)