The Nathan & Sally Rogoff Scholarship for Academic Excellence
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 extracurricular 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.
The Caroline Rose Foster Scholarship for Independence and Self-Determination
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."
The Sarah J. Churchill Scholarship for Volunteerism and Support to a Charitable Cause
Amount: $1,000 (One Thousand Dollars)
Sponsor: Fund for the New Jersey Blind
Award based on (evaluative priority order): Charitable work – volunteer or community service, response to essay questions, involvement in extracurricular activities, strength of letters of recommendation, GPA, and SAT score.
Background: Sarah J. Churchill was a philanthropist, an effective fund raiser, and a blind music teacher who taught singing in the schools of Newark and Orange NJ. She worked tirelessly in support of blind children and advocated for the educational and vocational opportunities for blind people. Through her advocacy, Ms. Churchill became a founder of the NJ Commission for the Blind and worked on the Board of Governors (now known as the Board of Trustees), appointed by the Governor of NJ to direct the Commission’s operations and funding. This scholarship is provided to CBVI students who also endeavor to embody a charitable spirit toward others and in the blindness community.
The Cathy and Herb Bodensiek Scholarship for Students Majoring in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM) or Business Administration
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 extracurricular 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.
The Mary Louise Buckley Scholarship for Students Majoring in Health Services or Communications
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 extracurricular 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.
The link for the 2026 Scholarship Application is at the end of these instructions. Carefully review the scholarship information to be sure that you qualify before applying.
Applications must be submitted and supporting documentation must be sent on or before April 30, 2026.
Late submissions or incomplete applications may not be considered. Students will not be sent notification of missing documentation.
Eligibility Requirements
§ A resident of New Jersey
§ An active or eligible NJCBVI client
§ Individuals of any age pursuing or planning to pursue a post-secondary education at a US institution in one or more of their degree programs
§ Must be registering to take classes in the fall of 2026
§ You are welcome to apply even if you have applied previously
Applicant Must Demonstrate:
§ A minimum GPA of 2.5
§ A financial need - if applying for the Bodensiek or Buckley Scholarships
Qualified Institutions & Level of Study:
§ Two-year college
§ Four-year college
§ Graduate School
§ Accredited Technical Career or Trade School
Location of School:
§ United States
GENERAL DIRECTIONS FOR ALL APPLICANTS
1. The application must be completed by the NJCBVI student.
2. The application must be completed online or emailed as an attachment to:
CBVI.Scholarship@dhs.nj.gov
3. The deadline for all applications is: April 30, 2026
Until the deadline, you may return to your online application as often as you wish in order to edit or make changes.
4. No handwritten or hardcopy applications will be accepted.
5. Incomplete applications will not be considered eligible for a scholarship.
6. Each essay response requires no less than 75 words and no more than 300 words.
· Please proofread your essay answers and ask at least one other person to proofread your application.
· Spelling errors or poor writing skills may lower your application score.
7. The following supporting documents are required and must be emailed as attachments:
· High School Seniors must send report(s) on their college entrance exams. Please send a copy of your score summary for ACT, SAT, or other standardized testing.
· Current high school or college students must send their most recent academic transcript. We accept transcripts sent by you or your educational institution.
· Letter of acceptance and/or verification of enrollment to the College or University for the 2026-2027 Academic Year.
· Three (3) Letters of recommendation:
o Letters should be one page or less and must include comments explaining why you are deserving of a scholarship.
o High school seniors: One letter must be from a teacher, counselor, or administrator employed by the school you are currently attending.
o All applicants: One letter must be from your CBVI counselor.
o Family members are not eligible to write letters of recommendations.
8. All supporting documentation must be emailed to CBVI.Scholarship@dhs.nj.gov
9. Optional: Each application package will be judged on its own merit, so feel free to include any information that demonstrates your exceptional qualifications to receive a scholarship award. You may send up to five (5) additional supporting documents, such as, awards and honors received, additional letters of recommendation, descriptions of community involvement or service to others, etc.
10. Please Note: Selected scholarship winners will be honored during an on-field Awards Ceremony at the Trenton Thunder Baseball Stadium prior to the Trenton Thunder minor league baseball game on Wednesday, July 29, 2026!
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION LINKS:
To complete the application online: 2026-2027 Academic Year Scholarship Application
To download in MS Word: 2026-2027 Academic Year Scholarship Application (MS Word)
Please remember that you must hit the submit button by the end of day on April 30, 2026.
