Blackwell Scholarship Program

The Nicsa/William T. Blackwell Scholarship Fund was established to recognize outstanding students of the Nicsa family with financial and social support for postsecondary education. Blackwell Scholars receive up to four years of scholarship support, a mentor from a Nicsa member company, and access to career networking and internship opportunities.

Eligibility Requirements

• Children of full-time NICSA member company employees
• Planning to enroll or already enrolled in a full-time course of study leading to a baccalaureate degree at an accredited four-year college or university
• GPA of at least 3.0 for renewal

Selection Criteria

• Ability and motivation to achieve in college – including strong academic record or evidence of significant improvement over time
• Demonstrated leadership and a balance of school, community and work activities
• Statement of goals and aspirations
• Unusual personal and/or family circumstances
• Outside appraisal
• Financial need

Applicants are responsible for gathering and submitting all necessary information. Applications are evaluated on the information supplied; therefore, it is important to answer all questions as completely as possible.

All information received is considered confidential and is reviewed only by The Philanthropic Initiative (TPI).

Selection of recipients is made by TPI. All applicants will be notified in mid-July each year whether or not they have been selected.

Mentoring

Each Blackwell Scholar is paired with a volunteer mentor from a Nicsa member company during their tenure in the program. Mentoring will focus primarily on professional development, and can come in many forms of support (e.g., job shadowing, guidance on resumes, job/internship searches and networking).

Internships

Blackwell Scholars who are rising seniors are eligible to apply for summer internships at Nicsa member companies, primarily through existing paid internship opportunities.