The Bridge Scholarship Program

The Bridge Scholarship Committee

• Chair and co-chair: Bridge Board members Noah Henderson and Mary Burt

• Committe Size: 4 Bridge Board Members, 6 Bridge Staff Members, 2 Bridge Baptist Hospital Tipping the Scales Managers.

• Number of volunteers: 5

• Referral Process: All Bridge students who are graduating seniors planning to attend college or vocational school and former Bridge students currently in college or vocational school may apply. Applications are available in February and are due in April.

• Number served: 12 scholarships awarded in 2004-2005. 15 scholarships awarded in 2003-2004. Recipients usually apply for scholarships for two or three years. 

The Bridge Scholarship Program was initiated in 1994 to assist Bridge students who were unable to attend college due to extreme financial and social difficulties. The scholarship awards initially ranged from $250-$500 and are utilized for tuition, transportation, housing, books and food. Today, The Bridge offers three $1,000 Master Bridge Builder Scholarships for youth excelling in education, healthcare and community Service.

The Bridge holds workshops each quarter to assist students with goal planning, essay writing, SAT/ACT test preparation and college and financial aid applications. In July, 2005, staff from The Bridge accompanied 20 rising seniors from Bridge programs on a college tour to North Carolina. The 20 seniors did various activities to raise funds to make this trip.

   Since its inception, The Scholarship Committee has awarded over $40,000 to 68 Bridge youth seeking higher education and hope for their future.  

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