At the Better Business Bureau (BBB), we believe it is never too early to introduce and emphasize the importance of ethics. At the high school level, students begin to face ethical decisions that may impact the rest of their lives. They serve as role models whose moral compass not only guides their actions, but also influences those around them. The BBB seeks to honor ethical students for doing the right thing with the BBB Ethical Torch Essay Scholarship, available in Greater Arizona and Southern California.
SCHOLARSHIP PRIZES
Five students in Greater Arizona, five students in Orange County, California, and five students in San Diego County, California to be awarded with scholarship prizes.
1st - $1,500
2nd - $1,250
3rd - $1,000
4th - $750
5th - $500
ELIGIBILITY
Students in grades 9-12 (graduating classes of 2025-2028) residing and enrolled in school in Apache, Coconino, Gila, Imperial, La Paz, Maricopa, Mohave, Navajo, Orange, Pinal, San Diego, Yavapai or Yuma Counties are invited to apply for this scholarship opportunity.
SELECTION PROCESS
Students will write essays on an ethical issue that they faced and how they handled it. Essays should not exceed 500 words and include a title in the essay. Essays should analyze what ethics has taught the students and themselves. Note that the most engaging essays often reflect on a meaningful experience or lesson learned in one’s life that focuses on an ethical reflection. Essays should be written by students without the use of AI. Essays written with the assistance of AI will be disqualified from the contest. Essay critique is based on a point system (1-5), with (4) categories.
Inclusion of Personal Viewpoints and/or examples (5 points);
Relevance to Theme (5 points);
Readability & Clarity (5 points);
Spelling & Grammar (5 points).
2025 APPLICATION TIMELINE
The applications for the 2024 Ethical Torch Scholarship are now open. If you would like to request a paper application, please contact the BBB scholarship team. Recipients will be announced at BBB Torch Awards for Ethics.
RECOGNITION & PRIZE REMITTANCE
Winning scholarship recipients will be recognized and receive funds towards college tuition and expenses at this year's Torch Awards for Ethics. To learn more about the Torch Awards for Ethics event, visit us at torchawards.bbbcommunity.org.
CONTACT
Please contact the BBB scholarship team by email at scholarships@bbbcommunity.org or by phone at (602) 212-2228.
