Attention High School Juniors and Seniors!
The Better Business Bureau serving East Alabama West and Southwest Georgia
presents the
Fifth Annual Students of Integrity Scholarship Award!
500 words may be all that stands between you and a $500 scholarship …
That’s right; a 500 – 750 word essay could score you a $500 scholarship! So, you’re wondering, why is the Better Business Bureau sponsoring an essay contest anyway? We’re doing it so you can get a little cash for your college education and at the same time be recognized for your high moral character and outstanding ethics. Each winner will be recognized for their high moral character and outstanding ethics. Each winner will be recognized as a BBB Student of Integrity, which will serve in promoting and emphasizing ethical decision-making as well as the importance of ethical behavior among today’s youth. The contest is open to high school juniors and seniors in the 42-county area served by the Better Business Bureau of West Georgia, East Alabama and Southwest Georgia. Three winners will each receive a $500 scholarship; so, if you're looking for a scholarship not based on grade point average and don't mind sharing a personal experience that demonstrates how trust, ethics and integrity influenced a decision you made, then read on for all the contest details. Unlike scholarships for books, tuition, room and board, this $500 can be used for a variety of expenses such as notebooks, pens, etc., that you will encounter in college.
Essay Contest Facts, Rules, and Submission Guidelines:
- Essay Theme: An ethical decision faced in work, family, school or community; the choices faced in solving the issue; the decision and results; how the issue affected you and others involved; how your personal philosophy of ethics, trust and integrity guided you in your actions.
- Essay Length of no fewer than 500 words and no more than 750 words.
- Three overall winners will be selected and each will receive a $500 scholarship.
- Essay title is to be added by the student and is not included in the total word count.
- All essays must be word processed on a single-sided 8 ½ x 11-inch paper using 12 point Times New Roman font, 1” margins, double-spacing and numbered pages.
- All entries must be submitted to the Better Business Bureau by January 4, 2010 and must be accompanied by an Entry Form.
- If you plan to email your entry, your essay should be an attached as a Word document along with the Entry Form.
- Entrants must be either a high school junior or senior during the 2009 – 2010 school year who will attend a college/university or trade school starting no later than the fall 2010 or 2011 semester.
- Only one entry is allowed per student.
- Entrant’s name must NOT be on any pages of the manuscript other than the accompanying Entry Form.
- The essay must be solely the work of the student. Brief quotations, if properly documented, may be included in the essay.
- Immediate family members of employees, its Board of Directors, contest judges or program sponsors are not eligible to enter.
- The winner and parent(s) or guardian(s) will be asked to attend the Better Business Bureau Annual Luncheon and Awards Ceremony on February 9, 2010.
- Entries will not be returned and late entries will not be judged.
- Entries will be accepted by US. Mail or email at info@columbus-ga.bbb.org, subject line "Essay".
- Lost, late and/or missing entries are the responsibility of the entrant.
- Due to the number of entries received, the BBB can only notify winners.
- Entries that do not meet submission guidelines will be disqualified.
- The BBB is the sponsor/administrator and will arrange independent judging for the contest.
Judges will evaluate the essays using the following criteria:
The essay demonstrates a strong understanding of ethical behavior.
The essay reflects a strong understanding of how well the student understands ethical conflict and decision-making.
The essay demonstrates the student’s own serious reflection on the question.
The essay is focused and well-reasoned, articulate and logically organized.
The essay is written clearly with correct spelling, grammar and punctuation.
Click here for a copy of the application in Microsoft Word format.