National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana 2023 Scholarship

Key points in plain language
Here is a brief description of big ideas coming up in this article.

The National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana (NFBL) will award three scholarships to blind scholars. A scholar is someone who is taking classes at a college, university, or trade/technical school.

A scholarship is money you are given to attend school.

The scholarships are merit-based. This means that the scholarships will be awarded to scholars based on their accomplishments in school and life.

The scholarship award will range from $1,500 to $2,000 per winning scholar.

Each year at its State Convention, the National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana (NFBL) awards merit-based scholarships to recognize the achievement of blind scholars. This year, we will be awarding up to three scholarships of equal value, ranging from $1,500 to $2,000 depending on the number of scholarships awarded.

To apply for the scholarship:
– You must be legally blind
– You must live in Louisiana
– Your 18th birthday was on or before April 8, 2023
– You plan to take full-time classes at a college, university, or trade/technical school in the fall of 2023 semester.

Applicants for these scholarships must be:

1. legally blind.
2. residents of Louisiana.
3. age 18 on or before April 8, 2023, and
4. pursuing or planning to pursue a fulltime, postsecondary course of study at an accredited college, university, or trade/technical school in the fall of 2023.

CRITERIA: All scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic excellence, leadership ability, community service, and financial need. Previous winners of NFBL scholarships and others who have applied in the past are encouraged to reapply.

MEMBERSHIP: The National Federation of the Blind of Louisiana is dedicated to providing opportunities for all blind people. Recipients need not be members of the National Federation of the Blind.

Applications for the scholarship are due by March 17, 2023.

Scholarship winners will be notified that they won by March 27, 2023.

Winners must attend the NFBL state convention from April 14–16, 2023 in Baton Rouge. The NFBL will pay the winners’ expenses to attend the convention.

DEADLINE: All applications and accompanying documentation must be in the committee chair’s office no later than March 17, 2023.

WINNERS: The Scholarship Committee reviews all applications, determines the number of winners (up to three), and selects all winners. Winners will be notified of their selection in writing no later than March 27, 2023, and will be brought to the NFBL state convention at Federation expense. The convention is scheduled for the weekend of April 14–16, 2023 in Baton Rouge. Attendance at the entire convention is mandatory for all winners. The decision of the Scholarship Committee is final.

Scholarship winners may also be eligible to attend the NFB National Convention, in Houston, Texas from July 1–6, 2023, and Washington Seminar in early 2024. Both national convention and Washington Seminar provide excellent opportunities to meet and network with other blind people and be immersed in the Federation’s positive philosophy and advocacy efforts to change what it means to be blind. They also feature student-driven gatherings by and for blind high school and college students. Hosted by the National Association of Blind Students (NABS), these meetings are high-energy, informative, and a great opportunity to meet and exchange information with other students and young professionals from around the country.

You need to submit an application, a letter about yourself, transcripts of your grades from the school you are taking classes or the school you have taken classes from, and two letters of recommendation.

High school students applying for this scholarship must also submit an Acceptance Letter from the school you plan to attend in the fall of 2023.

Mail your full application and documents to:
Treva Olivero, Chair
NFBL Scholarship Committee
101 South Trenton Street
Ruston, LA 71270

A complete application includes a NFB of Louisiana Scholarship Application along with the following:

• Applicant’s Letter: Along with your application, please include a letter that provides the following: general background information, a brief description of your education and employment goals, details of noteworthy accomplishments, and a concise summary of alternative techniques you have used to become a successful blind student. Finally, tell us how the scholarship would benefit you.
• Transcripts: Provide a current official transcript from the institution you are attending as well as official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions you have attended. If you have not yet attended an institution of higher learning or have not completed one year of study at such an institution, provide an official high school transcript.
• Recommendation Letters: Two letters of recommendation.
• Acceptance Letter: High school seniors are required to provide the Committee with an acceptance letter from the school they plan to attend in the fall of 2023. However, the committee recognizes that many students will not receive this document prior to our deadline. Therefore, we require that all winners submit this document as soon as it is available, and applicants are advised that no funds will be disbursed to winners until we have received a copy thereof.

Send your completed application and other required documents to:

Treva Olivero, Chair
NFBL Scholarship Committee
101 South Trenton Street
Ruston, LA 71270

PLEASE NOTE: LATE OR INCOMPLETE APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED BY THE COMMITTEE. All applications must be received in the Chairs office on or before March 17, 2023.

Find the online application and more at the NDBLA Scholarships page.