BEMC 2023 Scholarship Highway Program User Guide
- June 2, 2024
- BEMC
Table of Contents
BEMC 2023 Scholarship Highway Program
Product Information
Specifications
- Product Name: BEMC Scholarship Highway Program
- Scholarship Amount: $5,000
- Eligibility: High school seniors in Brunswick County and Columbus County
- Application Deadline: March 16, 2023
- Application Components: Essay, Letter of Acceptance, High School Transcript, Letters of Reference
Product Usage Instructions
Eligibility Criteria
Before applying, ensure you meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a high school senior in Brunswick County or Columbus County
- Participate in community activities (25%)
- Participate in school-related activities (25%)
- Submit a typed, double-spaced essay (40%)
- Include letters of reference (10%)
Application Process
- Review the Eligibility Criteria on page 2 of the application package.
- Fill out the BEMC Scholarship Highway Application Form or download it from www.bemc.org.
- Write a 1,000 to 1,500 word essay on the provided question.
- Attach a letter of acceptance from your college or school.
- Meet with your guidance counselor for review and signature.
- Submit your application by March 16, 2023, to your guidance counselor.
Scholarship Distribution
If selected for the scholarship:
- For a 2-year program: $5,000 spread over 4 semesters at $1,250 per semester.
- For a 4-year program: $5,000 spread over the first 2 semesters at $2,500 per semester.
- Maintain a GPA of 2.4 or higher to qualify for payment.
2023 Competition for High School Seniors to Win a $5,000 Scholarship (one scholarship will be awarded in Brunswick County and one in Columbus County)
APPLICATION PACKAGE INSTRUCTIONS
How to apply:
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Check to be sure you meet the Eligibility Criteria (see page 2).
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Fill out the attached BEMC Scholarship Highway Application Form or go to www.bemc.org (Community Services page) and download a Microsoft Word document that can be filled out on your computer.
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Attach your typed, double-spaced essay (1,000 to 1,500 words, maximum of 3 pages) on this question:
“As rising college students, you could potentially be our next generation of co-op members. If you were managing BEMC, what would you do to reach younger and older members alike?” -
Attach letters of recommendation – up to two from current teachers and one character reference letter. (These may not be from a family member.)
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Attach letter of acceptance from college or other school.
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Meet with your guidance counselor to check for completeness, to verify academic information and attach a copy of your high school transcript. Guidance counselor must review and sign the application.
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Make a copy for yourself and submit your application to your guidance counselor by Thursday, MARCH 16, 2023.
QUESTIONS: Contact Wendy Koonce at wendy.koonce@bemc.org or 800-842-5871.
BEMC Scholarship Highway Program Details:
Brunswick Electric Membership Corporation (BEMC) will award two (2)
scholarships of $5,000 each to high school seniors, one from Brunswick County
and one from the Columbus County area. In addition to public high school
students, those attending private schools or home schools may apply if they
meet the eligibility criteria below.
The awards will be based on a combination of:
- Participation in community activities 25%
- Participation in school-related activities 25%
- Letters of reference and 10%
- Essay 40%
ELIGIBILITY: (must meet all of the following criteria)
- be a U.S. Citizen;
- attend a high school located in Brunswick, Columbus, Bladen or Robeson County;
- live in a residence receiving electric service from BEMC;
- be the dependent of a BEMC member with a permanent primary residence that currently receives electric service from BEMC;
- have been accepted at an accredited 2-year community college, 4-year college/university, or a vocational/technical school for full-time status of 12 or more credit hours;
- plan to start school in the fall following graduation from high school.
JUDGING:
Judging will be done by panels of educators at Brunswick Community College and
Southeastern Community College. Final approval will be by the Board of
Directors of BEMC. All applicants will be notified of the results in writing.
DISTRIBUTION OF SCHOLARSHIPS:
Scholarships will be presented to the winning senior in Brunswick and Columbus
counties at the senior awards program at their high school in May. BEMC will
issue a press release and publicize the award on its website, Facebook page
and other publications.
Payment of the scholarship funds will be made directly to the school the student is attending, upon presentation of the tuition bill and payment request form to BEMC at the beginning of each semester. Student must maintain a GPA of 2.4 or higher to qualify for payment.
-
2-year community college or vocational/technical program:
$5,000 scholarship will be spread over 4 semesters @ $1,250 per semester -
4-year college or university:
$5,000 scholarship will be spread over the first 2 semesters @ $2,500 per semester
If a student does not complete a semester and/or fails to return to school for the following semester, unused funds are to be returned by the school to BEMC. Any remaining balance of the scholarship will be forfeited by the student unless there are extenuating circumstances explained in writing to BEMC and accepted by BEMC’s Board of Directors. If the student changes schools, the student must notify BEMC in writing and present the next semester’s bill from the new school with the payment request form. Payments from BEMC will be made within two weeks of receipt of the bill and payment request form.
The Seven Cooperative Principles are listed below for your reference.
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Voluntary and Open Membership
Cooperatives are voluntary organizations; open to all persons able to use their services and willing to accept the responsibilities of membership, without gender, social, racial, political, or religious discrimination. -
Democratic Member Control
Cooperatives are democratic organizations controlled by their members, who actively participate in setting policies and making decisions. The elected representatives are accountable to the membership. In primary cooperatives, members have equal voting rights (one member, one vote) and cooperatives at other levels are organized in a democratic manner. -
Members’ Economic Participation
Members contribute equitably to, and democratically control, the capital of their cooperative. At least part of that capital is usually the common property of the cooperative. Members usually receive limited compensation, if any, on capital subscribed as a condition of membership. Members allocate surpluses for any or all of the following purposes: developing the cooperative, possibly by setting up reserves, part of which at least would be indivisible; benefiting members in proportion to their transactions with the cooperative; and supporting other activities approved by the membership. -
Autonomy and Independence
Cooperatives are autonomous, self-help organizations controlled by their members. If they enter into agreements with other organizations, including governments, or raise capital from external sources, they do so on terms that ensure democratic control by their members and maintain their cooperative autonomy. 5. Education, Training, and Information
Cooperatives provide education and training for their members, elected representatives, managers, and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their cooperatives. They inform the general public, particularly young people and opinion leaders, about the nature and benefits of cooperation. -
Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Cooperatives serve their members most effectively and strengthen the cooperative movement by working together through local, national, regional, and international structures. -
Concern for Community
While focusing on member needs, cooperatives work for the sustainable development of their communities through policies accepted by their members.
For good form:
Essay should include an introduction; a body section and your conclusions or
observations. Remember to cite your research sources, fact check and spell-
check.
Submit your essay in 1,000 to 1,500 words no longer than three typed, double
spaced pages on the above topic and a completed application to your school
guidance counselor by Thursday, March 16, 2023.
Good luck – we look forward to hearing your thoughts and ideas! If you have questions, please send them to wendy.koonce@bemc.org.
BRUNSWICK ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION
2023 BEMC Scholarship Highway Application for High School Seniors
ATTACHMENTS:
- Essay (typed, double-spaced, 1,000 – 1,500 words)
- School Transcripts
- Up to two letters of recommendation from current teachers and one character reference letter (letters may not be from a family member)
- Letter of acceptance from your school(s) of choice
Reviewed by:
Guidance Counselor Date:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can students from private schools or homeschooling apply for the scholarship?
Yes, students attending private schools or home schools can apply if they meet the eligibility criteria specified.
How will the scholarship winners be notified?
All applicants will be notified of the results in writing. The scholarships will be presented at the senior awards program at their high school in May.
How are the scholarship funds disbursed?
The scholarship funds will be paid directly to the student's school upon presentation of the tuition bill and payment request form at the beginning of each semester.
What is the role of the Board of Directors of BEMC in the scholarship program?
The final approval of scholarship awards is done by the Board of Directors of BEMC after judging by panels of educators at Brunswick Community College and Southeastern Community College.
HEADQUARTERS 795 Ocean Hwy. W., Supply, NC 28462
PO Box 826, Shallotte, NC 28459
800-842-5871
910-754-4391
Fax 910-755-4299
References
Read User Manual Online (PDF format)
Read User Manual Online (PDF format) >>