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
Building Future Trades Scholarship
BBB, Central & SE Ohio’s Center for Character Ethics launched the Building Future Trades Scholarship in 2025. Five high school seniors from our 21-county service area who have committed to pursuing a career in the trades will be awarded. This scholarship celebrates the next generation of skilled professionals who demonstrate not only technical ambition but also a deep commitment to ethical leadership and community service.
Student honorees are selected by a panel of judges from the trades community to each receive a $1,000 scholarship. Student recipients and their parents are invited to the annual Toast to Trusted Leaders celebration, where they receive their award and recognition.
Application\resources
Find out more and apply
Application for students who have confirmed plans to pursue a career in a trade related field.
Deadline September 25. 2026
Online application open!
If you are taking steps to pursue a career in a trade related field, you can complete the online application here.
Info and instructions
PDF file with program instructions, including the UncommonSense framework.
Learn more
Please reach out if you have questions or need any additional assistance.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions
High school seniors in BBB of Central Ohio’s service area who have committed to pursuing a trade upon graduation are eligible to submit an entry. 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 in 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.
Five students will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship.
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 upon graduation with proof of acceptance into one of the following:
Trade-related undergraduate program
Enrollment in a tech program, vocational school, or apprenticeship
Employment with a trades-related employer
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 sponsor!
Scholarship Sponsor
