Bernie Scholarship Awards Program (The)

The Mission of The Bernie Scholarship Awards Program (BSAP) is to provide financial assistance for college or training programs to graduating high school seniors and other adults of all ages who live in subsidized rental housing in Montgomery County, Maryland, including "Dreamers." We assist this unique disadvantaged and underserved population, including single parents and other applicants with a minimum 2.0 GPA, and we allow awardees to use their scholarship funds not only for tuition but also for education-related expenses such as child care, transportation, equipment, books and fees. We also assist awardees who enroll in workforce development training programs. See our website at www.berniescholarships.org.  

BSAP's assistance fills financial gaps for those who are determined to move themselves, their family and future generations toward economic self-sufficiency.

Our organization is a 501(c)3 component fund of Greater Washington Community Foundation (GWCF).

We recruit volunteers to Help Make a Difference!

1) Fundraising volunteers may help with foundation, bank or business grant writing and researching new funding opportunities, including individual and corporate donors and new grant providers.  Our goal is to increase the award funding amounts and the number of awardees we can help annually.  Marketing and fundraising skills would help us grow our nonprofit organization.

2) We are seeking more volunteer Board members and Consultants.  If others may want to volunteer, they are also welcome and appreciated.

3) Mentoring volunteers give awardees advice, guidance, resources, support, study methods and encouragement during their college challenges or workforce development training programs.  Career counselor volunteers assist awardees with future long-term career planning toward higher level employment.

We recruit SSL volunteers to help in various ways; student volunteers earn SSL hours helping with welcoming, set-up, food service and clean-up at our events.