Frequently asked questions

The Scholarship

How many scholarships are available?

In 2026, BBB serving Mississippi will award 3 students with a $2,000 scholarship each to the trade school/college or university located in Mississippi of your choice.

I don't have the best grades/I didn't score very high on my ACT, should I still apply?

Of course?  Keep in mind that the scholarship awards students for their integrity.  Top grades and test scores do not automatically mean a student has integrity.  And having average grades does not mean a student lacks integrity.

My school offers few or no AP classes, will this affect my application?

Don't worry, this will not have any affect on your application.  We recognize that not all schools have the same resources or are able to offer all of the same classes.

I am planning on going to a community college/technical school.  Am I still eligible?

Yes, and we highly encourage you to apply!  BBB Mississippi recognizes that community colleges and technical schools offer valuable career opportunities that are important to the many industries in our state.

I plan to attend a college in Mississippi, but does it matter if it's a private or public college/university?

No, as long as you are attending a college or university in Mississippi, public or private, you are eligible to receive the scholarship.

The Application

When is the application due?

For our 2026 scholarships,  BBB Mississippi will start accepting applications October 15, 2025 and the student application and letters of reference are due January 15, 2026.  We will not accept applications or letters of reference past the deadline.  We encourage you to start your application early so that the indivuduals writing your letter of reference are notified with enough time to submit their letters before the deadline. 

How will my application be scored?

• Essay (40%)
• Leadership (25%)
• Community service (25%)
• Academic (10%)
• Letter of recommendation

What do I have to write about in my essay?
You will be asked to answer the following questions:

• Describe a situation where your moral convictions were challenged and you made the difficult decision because it was the right thing to do - despite the possible consequences.
• How did you come to the decision and what was the outcome?
• What did you learn from this experience and how has it impacted your life?

How is the essay scored?
Your essay will be scored based on the following criteria:

• The student's understanding of integrity (10pts)
• The structure of the essay (10pts)
• The essay correctly answers the questions (10pts)
• The originality of the essay (10pts)

Be sure to avoid cliche examples such as cheating unless you have a unique take on the dilemma.

Can I have an extension and submit my application later than the stated deadline?

No.  For our 2026 scholarships, the student application and letter of reference are due by January 15, 2026.  Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we do not accept any applications or letters of reference past the deadline.