100 BMA of Southern Illinois Scholarship Program

Scholarship Criteria for the 100 Black Men of Southern Illinois Scholarship Fund
Purpose: The 100 Black Men of Southern Illinois Scholarship Fund awards scholarships to collegebound high school seniors based on demonstrated academic achievement, financial need, and an expressed interest in pursuing a post-secondary education.

Criteria: The students eligible for assistance must be graduating high school seniors who reside in Southern Illinois and intend to continue their education at a trade school, two-year, or four-year college or university. Consideration will be given to academic achievement, financial need, the student’s community service record, and the student’s participation and current membership in Pathway 2 Manhood (P2M) and/or Pathway 2 Womanhood (P2W). Students should submit a scholarship application on the form provided by the 100 Black Men of Southern Illinois Scholarship Fund.

Guidelines: Scholarships will be awarded on an annual basis and disbursed in equal payments in August and January. Students must have a minimum 3.0 to initially apply; but must continue to attend classes and maintain no lower than an overall 2.5 grade-point average (or equivalent C+ average). In addition, student must maintain the minimum credits necessary for full time status per semester (12 credit hours, pursuant to Pell Grant regulations.)

Amount: Each scholarship awarded will be a minimum of $500 annually to be paid in two equal installments. Official notification of scholarship awardees will be made available on April 30.

Deadline: The application deadline is April 16; after which applications will no longer be accepted. The 100 Black Men of Southern Illinois Scholarship Fund uses the time stamp provided for on-line submittals; and the postmarked date to determine mailed entries.

Renewal process: This four (4) year scholarship is renewable for a maximum of three (3) years. Students continuing their educational pursuit at an accredited trade school, two-year, or four-year college or university are eligible to re-apply. Students must provide renewal information, which includes: grades (maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA annually in order to renew scholarship), credit hours, and information leading to on-going educational status by July 1. Official notification of scholarship renewals will be sent on July 15. [* GPA-refers to cumulative, not semester or quarter.]

[As a Note: Failure to provide aforementioned information, will lead to revocation of scholarship.]

Please submit applications by April 16 to:
The 100 Black Men of Southern Illinois Scholarship Fund, 1624 Main St- P.O. Box 1497 Alton, IL 62002 or Website: www.100bma.org.

2017 Event Highlights

100 Black Men of Alton award scholarships to local students

Amanda Thomas, For the Telegraph Published 6:34 pm, Saturday, July 15, 2017

ALTON — On Friday evening, 100 Black Men of Alton held their 26th annual Awards and Recognitions Banquet at the Rolling Hills Golf Course.

The first year recipients of the $500 scholarship included Savannah Fisher, Tyler Stevenson, and Brian Merrifield. The seven renewal scholarships were awarded to LaJarvia Brown, Jasmine Kay Johnson, Shania Womack, Capri Charleston, Jordann Wilson, Michele Bolling, and Anna Rose Brown. The keynote speakers for the event were the Pathway to Manhood Students.

Anthony Booker, Sr., the President of 100 Black Men of Alton, said the scholarships are awarded based on need, with an emphasis on making the application process accessible. “It’s one of the easiest scholarships. You only have to have a C average and you don’t have to write an essay. We try to make it as easy as possible.” The organization has also formatted the scholarships so that the students can spend the money in a variety of ways.

“Our scholarships are not like other scholarships, they can use it for whatever they need to, like food, or if they need to buy books, they’re allowed to do that,” Booker said.

Michael Holliday Sr., a former president of the organization and current board member, said, “The point of these scholarships is to encourage commitment.” He also cited the organization’s tenant of providing mentorship for a lifetime as the reason behind making the scholarships renewable. “It helps keep their grades up and gives them the responsibility of turning their application in on time,” he said.

The main fundraiser for the scholarships awarded during the banquet is the organization’s Black Tie Ball, which is open to the community and held in the fall. The event usually includes dinner and live entertainment. To find out more information about future events you can go to their website at http://www.100bma.org or send an email to alton100blackmen@yahoo.com.

Amanda Thomas is a freelance reporter for the Telegraph.