Applications Open for Binc Foundation Higher Education Scholarship Program

Applications opened on March 3 for the Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation’s annual higher education scholarship program; applications are due April 15.

The 2021 scholarship program supports bookstore and comic book shop owners and employees, and former Borders Group employees, by helping their dependents, spouses, and partners pursue their higher education goals. Binc will again this year award seven $3,500 scholarships to the dependents of bookstore and comic shop employees and one Karl Pohrt Tribute Scholarship award of $5,000 will be granted to an independent bookstore or comic book shop employee who has overcome a learning adversity or is a nontraditional student.
 
Binc’s Scholarship Program seeks to make a lasting impact in the lives of bookstore and comic book shop employees and former Borders Group employees by offering scholarships to their dependents and spouses/partners based on financial need, academic performance, and community involvement. These scholarships can help make a college education more affordable for families. Scholarships are offered for full or part-time study at an accredited institution of the student’s choice.
 
The program will again be administered by Scholarship America, the nation’s largest designer and manager of scholarship, tuition assistance, and other education support programs for corporations, foundations, associations, and individuals. The evaluation process will utilize selection criteria including financial need, prior academic achievement and leadership capabilities (including participation in school and community activities) as well as work experience, a statement of career and educational goals and objectives, and unusual personal or family circumstances.
 
Binc Executive Director Pamela French commented, “We are proud to support booksellers and comic shop people investing in their families’ futures through Binc’s higher education scholarship program. After a difficult year, we are more than ever looking forward to helping students achieve their higher education goals and dreams. I encourage all booksellers and comic shop employees and owners with children, spouses, or partners who are pursuing higher education this year to apply for a scholarship.”

Since 2001, the Binc Foundation has supported the educational goals of over 720 students, awarding $1.94 million dollars in higher education scholarships. Now in its 20th year, the scholarship program continues to focus on making a positive impact in the lives of bookstore and comic book shop employees, owners, and their families.

Booksellers who are in need of assistance are encouraged to take a look at the assistance page on the Binc website and to contact Binc directly at [email protected] or (866) 733-9064.