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Frank Zirille Big Brothers Big Sisters Scholarship Application

Overview

The Frank Zirille BBBS Scholarship program is dedicated to honoring the legacy of Frank Zirille, the founding Executive Director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana. Initially founded and funded in 2024, the new scholarship program’s mission is to support graduating "Littles" from the BBBS program in pursuing post-secondary education by providing financial assistance and mentorship. The program’s mission is to ensure our youth have equal access to opportunities in education and are given the support they need as they take those first steps of their professional life.

Key Elements of the Program

Scholarship Coverage: four-year renewable scholarships for tuition and fees, room, and board.
Extended Educational Support: financial assistance for a range of needs, including study abroad programs, move-in assistance, and other essential educational expenses like computers and transportation not covered by standard aid.
Professional Mentorship: personalized guidance from various-sector career professionals.
Life Skills Training: preparing scholars for success beyond post-secondary education.

Eligibility Guidelines to Apply

Little/Mentee must be currently enrolled and active in the Community-Based program.
Mentee must be on track to graduate by 2026.
Mentee must be a senior enrolled in high school, including those who are homeschooled or online students.
Mentee must have plans to enroll in a post-secondary institution (an accredited two or four-year college program, Trade/Vocational School).

Selection Process

Littles must submit their application to the Scholarship Committee via the online portal by 11:59PM ON December 19th, 2025.
Applicants will be assessed based on a holistic approach. While the following elements are significant, they collectively contribute to a comprehensive evaluation, with no single aspect being decisive. Students will be evaluated on the following:

Academics, achievements, and personal responsibilities
Two letters of recommendation: one from school staff and another from a non-relative in a supervisory role, such as a boss, a Big, or leader of structured activities.
Personal and supplemental statement
Interview

Littles must be available for an interview with the scholarship committee in February 2026.
Award notification will be in March 2026.

How to apply

To apply, please submit the following information:

Completed Frank Zirille Big Brothers Big Sisters Scholarship Application
Unofficial school transcript.
Personal statement, 650 maximum.
Supplemental essay: Up to 350 words or optional video essay (maximum 2 minutes).
Two Recommendation letters - emailed to the Scholarship Director, Amy.Hamilton@bbbsnei.org by the deadline.

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Frank Zirille Big Brothers Big Sisters Scholarship Application

Name (First & Last):

Name of Big (First & Last):

Number of years matched

School Currently Attending

GPA:

Mailing Address:

Email Address:

Phone:

Birth Date:

Colleges that I will apply to:

Financial Information

How many people will be in your family during the next academic year? Include yourself, your parents, and their other dependent children.

Of the number in your family above, how many will be enrolled in college at least half time? (Be sure to include yourself, but not your parents.

Student Aid Index from the FAFSA:

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Frank Zirille Big Brothers Big Sisters Scholarship Application

ACHIEVEMENTS

Please share any achievements you are most proud of in your studies, extracurriculars, or personal life, such as making the honor roll, holding a leadership position in an extracurricular activity, improving in a hobby, landing your first job, etc. Any accomplishment that is meaningful to you is welcomed below.

Achievement

Impact (significance/result)

Dates

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Frank Zirille Big Brothers Big Sisters Scholarship Application

Personal Statement Prompt: 650 words maximum

Choose one of the following statements to answer:

What motivates you to pursue your chosen field of study, and how do you envision making a difference in that field?How has your family background or cultural heritage influenced your educational journey?Discuss a topic, idea, or concept that fascinates you and explain why it captivates you.

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Frank Zirille Big Brothers Big Sisters Scholarship Application

Supplemental Essay: 350 words maximum

What makes you eligible for this scholarship? How will this financially (outside of tuition costs) aid your future educational endeavors?

If selected (or not selected) for a scholarship: It is the sincere expectation that the students selected (and his/her family and friends) understand the decision made by the Scholarship Committee and Board is final. Further, it is the expectation that the students (and his/her family and friends) will fully understand the honor to which the student has been bestowed and will accept the decision with dignity, maturity, and professionalism.

This completes the application. Please read this and the following statements carefully.

I certify that the information provided on this is complete, true, and accurate to the best of my knowledge. Falsification of information may result in termination of any scholarship granted and/or repayment of any funding misappropriated to me as a result of a later discovered impropriety or illegality.By signing this application, I agree to abide by all FZ BBBS Scholarship guidelines and decisions as determined by the IRS and/or the FZ BBBS Committee Members.

Parent/Guardian Signature

Parent/Guardian Email Address

Date