Federated Challenge Scholarship

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Background

Thanks to the generosity of Federated Insurance and the Federated Challenge, we are offering a scholarship for current and former Littles and High School Bigs to attend a non-four-year education that focuses on obtaining an apprenticeship, certificate or associate’s degree.

This scholarship, for up to $5,000 per year, is for students to attend a non-four-year education or training program at an accredited Minnesota postsecondary school that focuses on obtaining an apprenticeship, certificate, or associate’s degree.  Funds may be used for tuition, fees, books, and other necessary expenses related to the particular program or training (e.g. tools, materials, cookware, etc.).  Awards will range from $1,000-$5,000, and will be evenly distributed between the 2 semesters immediately following the application deadline.  For example, if a student applies and they receive $1,000, they will get $500 of their scholarship the following fall semester and the remaining $500 for the next spring semester. 

Eligibility
Applicants to the Federated Challenge Scholarship must:
  • Be a current or past Little Brother or Little Sister or High School Big Brother or Big Sister for a minimum period of 18 months prior to the application deadline date
  • Have been matched through one of the Minnesota Big Brothers Big Sisters agencies:  BBBS Twin Cities, BBBS of Central MN, or BBBS of Southern MN
  • Be a U.S. citizen or have permanent resident status
  • Have attained a high school diploma or GED (or will have graduated prior to the fall 2024 term)
  • Be enrolled or plan to enroll part-time or full-time in a non-four-year program at a trade, technical or community college, or another accredited Minnesota postsecondary school to obtain an apprenticeship, certificate, or associate’s degree
  • Have a minimum grade point average of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent)
  • Have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  Please note this scholarship is not based on financial need, so if you do not qualify for free or reduced lunch, you are still eligible to apply for this scholarship if you meet all other criteria. 
Award
A scholarship between $1,000-$5,000 will be awarded for one year of education after high school.  Students have the opportunity to annually renew, if the applicant has positively represented BBBS as a scholarship recipient and is able to show documented academic progress.  The award will be paid to the educational institution on behalf of the student.

Award recipients will be required to:
  • Turn in all paperwork as requested by BBBS
  • If possible, attend the Federated Challenge Gala in July.  Official date, TBD. 
  • Connect with the College and Future Readiness Coordinators at your BBBS agency at least once per semester
  • Volunteer two hours with BBBS during the 24-25 scholarship year
  • Attend the Federated Scholarship Information Session in July 2024. 
Application materials required:
  • Submit this online application by Saturday, March  31st at 11:59 PM:  Make sure you read through the whole page before starting.
  • Unofficial High School or College Transcript
  • At least one Letter of Recommendation (this can be from a teacher or counselor, your Big, an employer or a community member such as a coach, mentor, faith leader, etc.).  You are welcome to submit more than one as well. 
  • Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) confirmation email:  Specifically, the document regarding the expected family contribution (EFC.)  Please connect with the College and Future Readiness Coordinators at your agency directly if you are unsure of how to obtain this document.

Contact Information and School Details

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Essays

Essay Questions:  Please write one to two paragraphs per prompt

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Required Documents





By submitting this application, I hereby grant Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities (BBBS) permission to use my name and likeness in photograph(s)/video in any and all of its publications and in any and all other media, whether now known or hereafter existing but including online social networking sites, such as blogs, Facebook, Twitter and other, similar sites.  I will make no monetary or other claim against BBBS for the use of the photograph(s)/video.