Binc Opens Application Process for Higher Education Scholarships

The Book Industry Charitable Foundation [1] (Binc) is accepting applications from now through April 18 for the Binc Foundation Scholarship program, which will award up to 35 higher education awards totaling $100,000 to eligible bookstore employees, bookstore owners, former Borders employees, and dependents of each. The scholarships are for full- or part-time study at an accredited institution of a student's choice.

The Binc scholarship program extends to all current employees and owners of retail bookstores in the U.S. and their dependents who have a minimum of one year of continuous employment at the bookstore.  The bookstore must have a bricks-and-mortar presence in the U.S. and a substantial portion of the store’s revenue must come from the sale of books.  Eligible employees must be employed directly by the bookstore.

This year’s program will offer up to 30 Binc Scholar Awards of $2,500 each and up to five Binc Honor Scholar Awards of $5,000 each. To date, the program has supported the educational goals of almost 500 recipients with more than $1.1 million in awards. 

The evaluation process for the 2013 program will be conducted by Scholarship Management Services (SMS) and will utilize selection criteria including financial need, prior academic success, leadership capabilities, participation in school and community activities, work experience, and career aspirations.

Booksellers and their dependents who are interested in applying should visit scholarshipamerica.org/binc [2] for full details and to register.

The Binc Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that began in 1996 as the Borders Foundation with the purpose of helping Borders employees in need. Following the bankruptcy of Borders in 2011, the foundation expanded its mission and changed its name in recognition of its new focus as an industry-wide entity. In October 2012, the American Booksellers Association joined with Binc [3] to offer a financial assistance program for employees of independent bookstores who are experiencing an emergency financial hardship. Support for the Foundation’s programs and services comes primarily from booksellers and publishers. Additional information can be found at bincfoundation.org [1].