The Balanced Man Scholarship

The Balanced Man Scholarship (BMS) originated in 1990 at the University of Cincinnati Chapter, as a way to attract men of Sound Mind and Sound Body, while rewarding them for espousing the ideals of the Fraternity. Today, over 200 chapters use the BMS to identify balanced men to join SigEp.

The Balanced Man Scholarship is the single best recruitment tool in the fraternity world. When used effectively, the BMS can be a chapter's most valuable asset in finding and recruiting great students, strong leaders and well-rounded new brothers. Running the BMS should be a chapter's first priority when building a list of potential new members. The scholarship also reinforces SigEp's commitment to "Building Balanced Men" by helping to recognize exceptional undergraduates. Applicants and scholarship recipients are not required to join the Fraternity, though many choose to after they become familiar with the organization.

Scholarship amounts vary based on the resources available to each chapter. Most chapters obtain lists of incoming freshmen from the university so they can run the scholarship over the summer. Chapters often conduct interviews over the summer, before students arrive on campus. Many even conduct the interviews in the applicants' homes so that parents can be involved in the process. Interviewing applicants also serves to build relationships between the chapter and potential new members, which is critical to the recruitment process.

Chapters typically honor recipients and finalists at a banquet on campus, where they can invite parents, faculty members and guest speakers. The scholarship recognizes the achievements of hundreds of balanced men across the country each year. Chapters also use the opportunity to recognize their own outstanding members who exemplify the ideals of the Balanced Man.