I'm from New Jersey and heard about the NJ Commission for the Blind College Scholarship. Can anyone give me more information on how to qualify and apply? It's a bit hard to find detailed info!
Yes, certainly! The New Jersey Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CBVI) offers a scholarship known as the College Scholarship Aid Program for students with vision impairment who wish to attend college. It's a generous initiative that can make a significant difference for qualifying students.
The basic eligibility criteria are as follows:
1. You must be a resident of New Jersey.
2. You must be legally blind, which is usually defined as having 20/200 vision or less in the best-corrected eye or having less than 20 degrees of visual field remaining.
3. You need to be accepted into an accredited college or university as a full-time student.
To apply, you usually need to fill out an application form, provide documentation of your visual impairment, and write an essay detailing your career objectives. You'll need to provide academic transcripts and financial information as well, so the commission can evaluate both your academic potential and financial need.
Application materials are typically required to be submitted in the spring (often by April 1) for the following academic year. It would be best to reach out to the Commission for detailed and specific application procedures.
Remember, the scholarship is renewable, but you must maintain good academic standing (usually a GPA of 2.0 or higher) and reapply each year for continued assistance.
Please note, that obtaining this scholarship does not disqualify you from other sources of financial aid. You should still complete the FAFSA and apply for other scholarships, if possible. Good luck!
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