Houston Council of the Blind Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by Houston Council of the Blind

Description Purpose

The Houston Council of the Blind (HCB) offers Fall 2024 scholarships and the RL Bartlett Technology Scholarship to support the educational and social needs of people who are blind or visually impaired. These awards are intended for students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, or vocational training who live in the greater Houston region. The program emphasizes academic achievement and assistance that helps recipients meet their educational goals. Key takeaways

• Awards include Fall 2024 general scholarships and the RL Bartlett Technology Scholarship.
• Targeted to blind or visually impaired students pursuing postsecondary or vocational studies.
• Administered by the Houston Council of the Blind to advance education and social support.

Eligibility Who may apply

Applicants must be legally blind or blind (with licensed-professional documentation), reside in the greater Houston area or surrounding counties, and plan to attend a certified college, vocational/trade school, or be enrolled in a graduate program. Full-time undergraduate enrollment is defined as a minimum of 12 credit hours; postgraduate or graduate students must be completing coursework toward a degree. Applicants must also have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 (4.0 scale or equivalent). Key takeaways

• Legal blindness required, with formal documentation.
• Residency in greater Houston or neighboring counties required.
• Minimum full-time enrollment (12 credit hours) or active postgraduate/graduate enrollment.
• Minimum cumulative GPA: 3.0 (or equivalent).

Required supporting documents What to submit

Applicants must upload a completed scholarship application (HCB or the Robert L. Bartlett application—Page 5) and supporting materials to the HCB website. Required materials include 2 letters of recommendation dated within the last year, documentation of vision impairment from a licensed professional, and academic records: high school transcripts and college acceptance letter (if directly entering college), or postsecondary transcripts for students with college credit. If you have completed at least one semester of college or are a college graduate, high school transcripts and a college acceptance letter are optional. Key takeaways

• Completed HCB or Robert L. Bartlett application required.
• Two current letters of recommendation (≤1 year old).
• Vision-impairment certification by a licensed professional.
• Transcript requirements vary by education status; provide all postsecondary transcripts if you have college credit.

Application timeline Important dates

All application materials must be submitted electronically by July 5, 2024. Scholarship decisions will be made and applicants notified by August 7, 2024. Scholarships will be presented at the Houston Council of the Blind meeting on August 17, 2024. Key takeaways

• Submission deadline: July 5, 2024 (electronic only).
• Decisions announced by August 7, 2024.
• Awards presented at HCB meeting on August 17, 2024.

Submission rules Format and delivery

Applications and supporting documents must be submitted electronically via the HCB website; scanned documents will not be accepted. Follow the online submission instructions on the HCB site and make sure each required file type and item is included before final upload. Key takeaways

• Electronic submission via HCB website only.
• Scanned documents are not acceptable.
• Verify all required files are uploaded before submission.

Selection criteria and notification How recipients are chosen

Selection is based on academic achievement, community service, demonstrated financial need, and level of visual difficulty. A committee will review complete applications and supporting materials; finalists and recipients will be notified according to the timetable. Applicants should ensure their materials clearly document these elements. Key takeaways

• Evaluation factors: academics, community service, financial need, visual difficulty.
• Complete, well-documented applications increase consideration.
• Notification follows committee review per the application timeline.

Award value Amounts and structure

Specific scholarship amounts are not listed on the application materials provided here. Award values may vary by recipient and by scholarship (including the RL Bartlett Technology Scholarship). For exact award amounts or ranges, contact the Houston Council of the Blind directly or check the HCB website for full details. Key takeaways

• Award amounts are not specified in these materials.
• Values likely vary by scholarship and recipient.
• Contact HCB for exact award figures.

History of the award Background

The Houston Council of the Blind is dedicated to meeting the educational and social needs of blind and visually impaired individuals, and awarding scholarships is part of that mission. No further historical details or founding dates for these specific scholarships were provided in the materials. For a full history of the RL Bartlett Scholarship or HCB scholarship programs, request archival or historical information from HCB. Key takeaways

• HCB scholarships align with the organization’s mission to support blind/visually impaired students.
• The provided materials do not include a detailed award history.
• Contact HCB for historical records or program origin information.

Contact and additional information Where to get help

For questions, clarifications, or to verify award amounts and application instructions, consult the Houston Council of the Blind website or contact HCB directly. Use the HCB site to access and submit the required application forms, and reference Page 5 for the Robert L. Bartlett scholarship application. Key takeaways

• Use the HCB website for forms, submission, and official guidance.
• Refer to Page 5 for the Robert L. Bartlett application.
• Contact HCB for award amounts, history, or additional clarification.