Doris L. Benz Trust Scholarship

When to apply?
All students must submit their applications by 5:00 p.m. on May 1, 2010. Finalists will be contacted directly to supply more information, see below. 
 
Who should apply?
Candidates must meet all three eligibility criteria below to be considered for funding:

• A resident of Sandwich.
• A graduate from Interlakes High School.
• Enrolling in an accredited undergraduate post-secondary education or training program.

Selection criteria
Current selection committee members are Constance Cunningham, Jeffrey Fleischman, Leo Greene, Virginia Heard, and Frances Mauch. Candidates are evaluated for both financial need and merit factors including academic work, extracurricular activities, community and volunteer activities, and work experience.

Determining financial need
Candidates are required to submit a copy of the Student Aid Report (SAR) that is the result of filling out the Free Federal Form (FAFSA), which determines what a particular family can reasonably afford for education or the expected family contribution. In addition, finalists will be asked to supply a copy of the financial aid package offered by the institution to be attended.
 
The first priority is to fill any need gap in an individual’s package. After that, depending on college policy, the selection committee may make awards to reduce student loans or college work-study (self-help). In accordance with federal policy, Benz awards cannot be made to reduce the expected family contribution.

Award availability
There is no set amount for an award. Each award is individually determined and depends on each candidate’s unique circumstances, but generally, the awards will range from $1,000 to $5,000. Students are encouraged to reapply for renewed funding each year that they remain enrolled in an undergraduate program.
 
Awards will be paid in two equal installments for the first and second semester. Checks are made co-payable to the student and to the institution. If a student leaves school early for any reason, the unused portion of the award should be returned to the Benz Trust.

Award decisions
Notification of awards will be made for entering freshmen by the end of June, undergraduate students who are already enrolled will be notified by mid-July. 

Required documents
For students who are selected as finalists, the following documents may be requested during the decision process:

• Academic Transcript 
• Two Applicant Appraisals
• Student Aid Report (SAR)
• College Financial Aid Package
• College Costs

Questions?

Please contact the Student Aid Office at 1-800-464-6641 or Judy Burrows at e-mail.

The deadline for 2010 awards has passed.  Please check back in February, 2011. 

<< Back