Amount: $1,000 (One Thousand Dollars)

Sponsor: NJ Commission for the Blind & Visually Impaired (CBVI) - Board of Trustees

Award based on (evaluative priority order):  Response to essay questions, GPA, SAT score, strength of letters of recommendation, involvement in extra-curriculum activities and volunteer/community service

Background: The late Nathan and Sally Rogoff were both well known for their generosity and dedication to helping others, especially young people who are blind, deaf-blind or visually impaired. Mr. Rogoff served on the NJCBVI Board of Trustees for over 30 years.

Amount: $1,000 (One Thousand Dollars)

Sponsors: The CBVI Board of Trustees

Award based on (evaluative priority order): Response to essay questions, strength of letters of recommendation, GPA, and SAT score.

Background: Caroline Rose Foster, a client of the Commission from 1964 until her death in 1979 at age 102, bequeathed a sizable sum from her estate to promote the Commission's work.  A Morristown resident since 1881, Miss Foster distinguished herself in the social and political life of Morris County and the state.  Appropriately, she specified in her will that the funds derived from the interest on her gift to the Commission be used for "the amelioration of the condition of the blind."

Amount: $2,500 (Two Thousand, Five Hundred Dollars)

Sponsor: Estate of Herb Bodensiek

Award based on (evaluative priority order): Candidate must major in STEM or Business Administration; Response to essay questions, GPA, SAT score, strength of letters of recommendation, involvement in extra-curriculum activities and volunteer/community service and financial need.

Background: Cathy and Herb Bodensiek, both contributed many volunteer hours and personal resources to organizations serving people who are blind, deaf-blind or visually impaired.  This scholarship was established to encourage and support the career goals of CBVI students who are pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) or Business Administration.

Amount: $5,000 (Five Thousand Dollars)

Sponsor: Estate of Mary Louise Buckley

Award based on (evaluative priority order): Candidate must major in Health Services or Communications; Involvement in extra-curriculum activities; volunteer and community service activities; response to essay questions, GPA, SAT score, strength of letters of recommendation and financial need.

Background: The late Mary Louise Buckley, was a Registered Nurse who lived and worked in Mercer County. Throughout her life she enjoyed giving back to the community as a volunteer for organizations such as The American Cancer Society, Interfaith Caregivers, and Learning Ally, formerly known as Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic.  Known for promoting the value of lifelong learning and encouraging young people to pursue all opportunities to further their education, Ms. Buckley’s final wishes included the establishment of a scholarship to be awarded to a CBVI consumer who will major in the fields of health services or communications.

You will find the link for the application at the end of these instructions. Carefully review this information to be sure you qualify for these scholarships before applying.

Applications and supporting documentation must be emailed by or before April 30, 2025.  Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.  Notices will not be sent to students who are missing necessary documentation.   

Eligibility Requirements 

• Resident of New Jersey
• Active/Eligible NJCBVI Client (If you have applied in a previous year, you are welcome to apply again as long as you meet the eligibility requirements. Many students apply more than one year before they win, so please apply again.) 
• Individuals of any age who are pursuing or planning to pursue a post-secondary course of study in a degree program at a U.S. institution in the fall of the year of application.

 Applicant must demonstrate:

• A minimum GPA of 2.5
• Community involvement /service to others
• Financial need (Bodensiek and Buckley Scholarships only)

Qualified Institutions & Level of Study:

• Two-year college
• Four-year college
• Graduate School
• Accredited technical career or trade school

Location of school:

• United States

1. The application must be completed by the NJCBVI student.
   
   
2. The application must be completed on-line or e-mailed as an attachment by April 30, 2025 to: CBVI.Scholarship@dhs.nj.gov
   
   
3. Until the deadline, you may return to your online application as often as you wish to edit or change it.
   
   
4. No handwritten or hardcopy applications will be accepted.
   
   
5. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
   
   
6. Each essay section requires a response of no less than 75 words and no more than 300 words.
   • Proofread your essay answers in addition to having at least one other person proofread your application
   • Spelling errors or poor writing skills may lower your evaluative score
7. The following supporting documents are required and MUST be emailed as attachments.
   1. High School Seniors must send report(s) on their college entrance exams; send a copy of your report summary from ACT, SAT or other standardized testing
   2. Current students must send their most recent academic transcript; we accept transcripts sent by you or your educational institution
   3. Post-secondary letter of acceptance and/or verification of enrollment
   4. List of extra-curricular and community service activities
   5. 3 Letters of recommendation

• • Letters (one page or less) must include comments explaining why you are deserving of a scholarship
  • High school seniors: One letter must be from a teacher, counselor, or administrator employed by the school you are currently attending
  • All applicants: One letter must be from your CBVI counselor
  • Letters from family members will not be considered

8. Each application package will be judged on its own merit, so include any information that demonstrates that you are an exceptional candidate to receive the award.
9. Optional: You may also send no more than 5 additional supporting documents
   (examples: awards or honors received, additional letters of recommendation, news clippings, etc.) 
10. Supporting documentation must be emailed to: (DEADLINE April 30, 2025)
    CBVI.Scholarship@dhs.nj.gov
11. Please Note: Selected scholarship winners will be honored during an award’s

       Ceremony at Trenton Thunder Ballpark on Wednesday, August 6, 2025.

2025 - 2026 Academic Year Scholarship Application (For completion on-line)

2025 – 2026 Academic Year Scholarship Application (WORD)

Remember, you MUST hit the submit button before midnight on April 30, 2025.