2026-2027 school year program timeline
Key dates and deadlines
Please note these important milestones for the 2026-2027 school year program.
Scholarship Notifications
October 2026
Student recipients and non-recipients will be notified by the end of October.
Awards Celebration
November 12, 2026
Scholarship recipients will be honored at our in-person event Toast to Trusted Leaders.
About the scholarship program
Students of Integrity Scholarship
In March of 2002, BBB serving Central Ohio’s Center for Character Ethics launched our Student of Integrity scholarship program. Since its inception, high school seniors from our 21-county service area who personify high character through leadership, community service, overall personal integrity and academic accomplishments have been recognized annually.
Student honorees are selected by a panel of judges from the business community to each receive a $1,000 scholarship paid to the college/university of their choice. Student recipients, their parents and school counselors are invited to the annual Torch Awards for Ethics celebration where they receive their award and recognition. The Students of Integrity scholarships are made possible by the generosity of our local Accredited Businesses.
Application\resources
Find out more and apply
Application for students who have been nominated by their high school.
Deadline September 25. 2026
Online application open!
If you were nominated by your high school, you can complete the online application here.
Instructions
PDF file with program instructions, the UncommonSense framework, and a printable application form.
Contact us
Please reach out if you have questions or need any additional assistance.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
Each high school in BBB of Central Ohio’s service area is eligible to submit one entry for a student with at least a 3.5 GPA. The student must be nominated by their guidance counselor. Our service area consists of the following 21 counties: Athens, Champaign, Coshocton, Delaware, Fairfield, Fayette, Franklin, Hocking, Knox, Licking, Logan, Madison, Marion, Meigs, Morgan, Morrow, Muskingum, Perry, Pickaway, Ross, Union, Vinton.
Recipients and non-recipients will be notified about the status of their entry by the end of October.
The essay should be a minimum of 500 words/maximum of 750 words, and based on a principle from the UncommonSense Framework. Please include the UncommonSense principle in the title of your essay.
For 2026-2027 school year graduating seniors, five students will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship in the fall of their senior year to be applied toward their continued studies upon their graduation.
Winners are recognized during an exclusive fall event. Our 2026-2027 Students of Integrity recipients will be celebrated during our Toast to Trusted Leaders event at The Bluestone on November 12, 2026.
Scholarships are distributed directly to the recipient’s college or university in the first semester of their freshman year.
While online applications are preferred, physical applications may be submitted. Please mail to: Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio, Attn. Keith Pickett, 1169 Dublin Rd. Columbus, OH 43215.
The 2026-2027 school year deadline for entries is September 25, 2026.
Thank you to our sponsors!
Students of Integrity Scholarship Sponsor
Integrity Sponsor
