Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions about the Student of Integrity Scholarships? Check out our list of FAQs below!

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The Scholarship

How many scholarships are available?

In 2024, BBB Serving Wisconsin will award up to 15 students with a $2,500 scholarship each. Two of the scholarships are designated for students attending two-year technical/community colleges, and two of the scholarships are designated for students in the Milwaukee Public School District.

I don't have the best grades/I didn't score very high on my ACT/SAT, should I still apply?
Of course! Keep in mind that this 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 Wisconsin recognizes that community colleges and technical schools offer valuable career opportunities that are important to the many industries of our state.

I plan to attend a college in Wisconsin, 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 Wisconsin, public or private, you are eligible to receive the scholarship.

The Application

Do I have to submit my application online?
Yes, we prefer electronic entries via our online application, hosted by the SmarterSelect platform.

If for some reason you have extenuating circumstances and are unable to access our online application, email us at scholarship@wisconsin.bbb.org or call (414) 847-6000 for alternative options. 

When is the application due?

For our 2024 scholarships, the student application and both letters of reference were due March 1, 2024 by 4:00 p.m Central Standard Time. We will not accept any applications or letters of reference past the deadline. We encourage you to start your application early so that the individuals writing your letters of reference are notified with enough time to submit their letters before the deadline.

How will my application be scored?

  • Essay (60%)
  • Letters of Reference (20%)
  • Academic (10%)
  • Community Involvement / Employment (5%)
  • First Generation (5%)

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 - and despite the possible consequences
  • How did you come to this 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 (12pts)
  • The structure of the essay (12pts)
  • The relevance of the essay (12pts)
  • The essay correctly answers the questions (12pts)
  • The originality of the essay (12pts)

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

Why do I have to provide my congressional district?
Because we serve our entire state, BBB Wisconsin wants to make sure our outreach covers all of Wisconsin based on population density. We use the congressional districts as an easy guideline to identify which regions the students represent.

The person writing one of my letters of reference is not receiving the automated email from SmarterSelect to submit their letter online. What should we do?
Sometimes, SmarterSelect emails are sent to spam folders. Please have your reference check their spam folder first. If they are still not seeing the email, get in touch with us at scholarship@wisconsin.bbb.org and we can manually email a letter of reference request to your reference. Please be sure to do so far in advance.

Can I have an extension and submit my application later than the stated deadline?
No. For our 2024 scholarships, the student application and both letters of reference were due by March 1, 2024 by 4:00 p.m Central Standard Time. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we do not accept any applications or letters of reference past the deadline.