Kentucky Council of the Blind
Scholarship Program Guidelines
I. PURPOSE
The Kentucky Council of the Blind (KCB) created this Educational Scholarship Program to help fulfill its mission of improving equality and independence for visually impaired Kentuckians who frequently experience higher chronic unemployment which often contributes to increased reliance on social safety net programs. Research has demonstrated that individuals who pursue post-secondary educational or vocational training are generally happier, healthier, and more financially independent throughout their lives. Therefore, KCB established this scholarship to assist blind and visually impaired Kentuckians with achieving their post-secondary educational and vocational training goals.
II. Scholarship Eligibility
The KCB Scholarship may be awarded to any visually impaired Kentucky resident enrolled in or admitted to a post-secondary in-state or out-of-state certified college or vocational training program; or to any visually impaired member of the Kentucky Council of the Blind in good standing who is enrolled in or admitted to a post-secondary in-state or out-of-state certified college or vocational training program, regardless of state of residence.
For purposes of this scholarship, visual impairment is defined as visual acuity of 20/70 or less in the better eye after best correction, or a visual field limited to 20 degrees or less after best correction.
III. HOW TO APPLY
A. The applicant must submit a computer-generated KCB Scholarship Application Form and all required supporting documentation and references in electronic format. The Scholarship Application can be completed online or downloaded and emailed to grants@kentucky-acb.org. All supporting materials must be emailed to this email address.
B. All materials must be received no later than September 15 at 11:59 PM Eastern time; applications and supporting materials received after this date will not be considered.
C. The applicant will be required to participate in a recorded telephone interview with members of the Scholarship and Technology Grant Committee.
D. The applicant should present evidence of active involvement in school, community, and/or a KCB chapter. Membership in the Kentucky Council of the Blind is not required; however, the applicant is encouraged to consider the benefits of being involved with the regional and special-interest chapters which include the ability to: (1), learn about resources; (2), participate in peer-to-peer support, conferences, workshops and other activities; and (3), keep up with legislative and regulatory issues impacting visually impaired individuals and their families through in-person meetings, conference calls, newsletters, e-mail lists and the Sound Prints audio magazine. Learn more about becoming a KCB member by calling (502) 895-4598 or at
https://kentucky-acb.org/membership.
E. Scholarship applicants will be notified no later than October 15 of their status. The scholarship will be presented to the recipient at the Kentucky Council of the Blind Convention held during November, with scholarship funds disbursed to the recipient during the term following the KCB Convention. In order to receive scholarship funds, the scholarship recipient must attend the KCB Convention in person, with attendance via Zoom acceptable only if in-person attendance is not possible.
F. The scholarship award is not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1,000). Any scholarship award proposed by the Scholarship and Technology Grant Committee is subject to final approval by the Kentucky Council of the Blind Board of Directors. Scholarship funds will be disbursed directly to the student in the next term following the KCB Convention provided that the student submits a copy of his/her enrollment documentation and official course schedule for the term before February 15.
IV. FACTORS TO BE CONSIDERED BY THE SCHOLARSHIP AND TECHNOLOGY GRANT COMMITTEE
A. The Committee’s primary consideration in awarding assistance shall be that of merit. The applicant shall demonstrate a high degree of success in his/her chosen area of study and maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0.
B. The applicant should be a full-time student (minimum of 12 undergraduate or 9 graduate hours per term).
C. The applicant should have a specific, realistic goal in mind.
D. The applicant shall be a well-rounded individual involved in extracurricular activities or community service.
V. REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
A. A complete scholarship application completed online or downloaded and emailed to grants@kentucky-acb.org.
B. Certified transcripts, or if not available, uncertified transcripts from the school the student is presently attending or has most recently attended. An entering first-year student should include high school transcripts. A first-year graduate student should include undergraduate transcripts. If an applicant submits an unofficial transcript, the applicant must provide an explanation as to why he/she was unable to secure a certified transcript.
C. Proof of acceptance in a post-secondary school.
An entering or transferring student must submit a notice or letter from the admissions office stating that he/she has been accepted for admission.
D. Two (2) letters of recommendation, including one from a current or recent instructor. These letters should be emailed to grants@kentucky-acb.org by the sender and not submitted by the applicant.
E. Verification of the applicant’s visual impairment provided by one of the following:
1. Written verification of visual impairment from an ophthalmologist or optometrist (obtained within the past year), including a description of the applicant’s eye condition, visual acuity, and field of vision; OR
2. A signed Visual Impairment Verification Form downloadable from this website to be completed by a competent professional such as a rehabilitation counselor, teacher of the visually impaired, O&M specialist, physician, etc.
F. The completed Application Form and all other required materials should be emailed to: grants@kentucky-acb.org
Kentucky Council of the Blind
Educational Scholarship Program
148 Vernon Avenue
Louisville, KY 40206
Phone: (502) 895-4598
E-mail submission of all materials required.
Please use this link to download the Kentucky Council of the Blind KCB Scholarship Guidelines
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