BBB of Chicago and Northern Illinois Foundation Scholarship entry requirements

• Applications are now closed. Scholarship Recipients will be announced in May.
• Entries must be submitted by the deadline via the online submission process described below.
• No entry fee is required.
• Entries to this scholarship will be evaluated based on content of the video (90 seconds or shorter) and the written statement of need. Please refer to the ‘Scholarship Highlights and Eligibility’ section for more details.
• Use the first portion of your video to identify yourself and your current school.
• Video submission must be 90 seconds or less in length.
• Applicants are permitted only one entry (1 originally produced video) per student.
• Entry must be new and original work.
• Nudity, profanity, explicit violence, drug use, or references to drug use are grounds for immediate rejection.
• Any submission that is found to use third-party material without proper licensing will not be accepted.
• Applicants are solely responsible for their film production - this includes obtaining appropriate releases for all persons who appear on-camera, including minors and their parents/guardians, see provided video release below.
• If more than one person is shown in the video, the student listed beside “Applicant’s Name” will be the only one eligible to receive this scholarship. Even though all video participants must fill out the release form at the bottom of this page.
• Video file submissions MUST be labeled correctly. The file name should include BBB Scholarship 2025, the student’s first initial, and surname. Example: BBBScholarship2025_JDowe.mp4
• Along with the actual video submission, online consent on the application must be signed. By signing the consent form, the student acknowl­edges they have read and understood the rules and guidelines, as well as the terms and conditions forms. Any submission without a signature will be rejected. Typing your name in the application will serve as the signature.
• All entries become the property of the Better Business Bureau. Entries may be used in future promotions, events, or marketing campaigns.
• For questions and inquiries email scholarship@chicago.bbb.org

To qualify for judging, your submission must adhere to the following specifications: 

1. Entries must be no longer than 90 seconds in duration.
2. If you decide to shoot the video on your phone, you may shoot it in any way you like. 
3. Videos must not contain any music whatsoever.
4. Video files should be exported and submitted in the MP4 file format via application our application form. You will not be able to complete your application if the video is not included. 
5. Submissions MUST be labeled correctly. The file name should include BBB Scholarship 2025, the student’s first initial, and surname. Example: BBBScholarship2025_JDowe.mp4
6. All video entries should begin with an introduction that includes your name, age, year in school, the school in which you are currently enrolled.
7. Videos should be well-lit and contain clear-sounding audio. While it is not expected for you to use expensive or professional equipment, it is required that your face be clearly visible, and your voice easily understood in the recording.

When your entry is ready to submit, make sure you have completed the following:

1. Video in MP4 file format (properly labeled).
2. Written statement of need (included in application).
3. Video/Image Release Form & Terms and Conditions (in application) signed by any persons (and legal guardians if necessary) featured in your video.

For questions and inquiries email scholarship@chicago.bbb.org

To complete your submission for the video scholarship contest, read the below terms and accept them on the submission form:

Terms & Conditions

By entering the 2025 BBB Foundation College Scholarship Video Contest entrants release and hold the promoter harmless from and against all losses, damages, rights, claims, and action. BBB is not responsible for any claim involving copyright, trademark, or royalty infringements related to the work.

By submitting your entry, you certify that you are authorized to submit this work and that all clearances and licenses necessary for public display of the work have been granted and agree that you will indemnify and hold harmless the Better Business Bureau for any liabilities and expenses in connection with any claims based on any entry submitted to BBB.

Scholarship funds are sent directly to the relevant academic institution the student will be attending. The funds are strictly for tuition, no exceptions. The academic institution must be accredited by a nationally recognized accreditation group. The academic institution may be a college, university, two-year college, junior college, trade school, or other comparable institution. 

Winners agree to provide the Better Business Bureau of Chicago & Northern Illinois with future updates on how the scholarship money was used and status on higher education efforts.

BBB retains the right to accept or decline any entry, for whatever reason, without notice or explanation.

Nudity, profanity, explicit violence, drug use, or references to drug use or anything the committee finds offensive or vulgar are grounds for rejection.

You request BBB to evaluate and judge the submitted material. Entering the competition constitutes permission to use the names and likenesses of the submission for publicity and promotions with no compensation. Additionally, the entry becomes the property of BBB and may be used in future promotions, events or marketing campaigns and cannot be returned.

You indemnify BBB, their affiliates, sponsors, employees, board members, and judges of and from any and all claims, loss, or liability that may be asserted against you or incurred by you or any associates, at any time in connection with the submitted work.

BBB Video Scholarship Image and Video Release

I understand these images and/or video may be used for a variety of purposes and may appear on the BBB website, events, promotional materials, or any other media now known or to be invented.

Since anyone can download an image from the Internet or make copies from printed materials, I agree that Better Business Bureau is not responsible for unauthorized use of the images. I am aware that I am not entitled to any compensation and that the images may appear with or without my name.