Scholarships provide funding for a college education, usually as an award for academic success. Unlike loans, scholarships do not have to be paid back upon graduation. Blue Cross Blue Shield offers scholarships in several states including Wisconsin, Michigan, Oklahoma and Massachusetts. The amount of each scholarship varies, as do the eligibility criteria.
Wisconsin
Blue Cross/Blue Shield United of Wisconsin provides endowment funds to the Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College - Ashland for student scholarships. Applicants are judged based on academic success, in addition to community and school involvement. The scholarship can be used for college expenses including books, tuition, or room and board. The application process for the Blue Cross/Blue Shield scholarship includes the completion and submittal of an application, essay, recommendation letters and possibly an interview.
Michigan
Blue Cross/Blue Shield of Michigan annually awards three scholarships to doctoral candidates or medical students from a Michigan university, as part of the Excellence in Research Award for Students program. The scholarship honors student researchers who have contributed to health care via research in medical care or health policy. Students must be nominated by a faculty member at the university they attend to be considered. Entries are judged on the subject matter's contribution to the selected field, in addition to the originality and quality of research. Award amounts are $1,000, $750 and $500.
Oklahoma
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma donated $250,000 to Oklahoma State University - Tulsa in November 2010 for the creation of a health education lab and scholarships for students studying health education and promotion. Of the $250,000 total donation, $100,000 has been directed to the Pickens Legacy Scholarship Match program. OSU graduate T. Boone Pickens matched the donation to his alma mater two-to-one for a total donation of $300,000. Students who receive scholarships from the Pickens Legacy program are required to complete at least 20 hours of an internship, or devoted to community service, in a church, public school or non-profit organization within five miles of the OSU-Tulsa campus.
Texas
Blue Cross Blue Shield and Texas Public Employees Association award two scholarships annually. The scholarships are in recognition of scholarship abilities, special skills, community service and involvement and employment needs. Only TPEA members and their dependents or spouses are eligible for this scholarship program, and verification of membership is required. Applicants must submit the scholarship application, in addition to a three-reporting period grade transcript from either the high school or college currently attending, an essay - 300-word limit - explaining how the applicant meets the criteria and why he should win.
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Stephanie Steensma began writing in 1998 as a radio news reporter. Her work has appeared in print publications such as "Engineering Today" and "Dome Magazine" as well as online. Steensma has a Bachelor of Arts in communication and journalism from Western Michigan University.