Every year, Blind Service Association awards scholarships to young people with visual impairments who are planning to attend a professional school, trade school college or university. Applications are judged according to academic merit, evidence of community service and need. Interested individuals must be at least 18 and reside in Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, McHenry or Kane counties in the state of Illinois. In addition to the completed application, applicants must also submit a transcript, a state ID, transcripts, two recommendation letters, an autobiographical essay and a recent eye report.
Originally founded in 1924 by Mrs. Gottfried D. Bernstein, a housewife in Chicago's Hyde Park neighborhood, Blind Service Association grew out of a need to give the printed page a voice to the blind community. Since its founding, Blind Service Association has continued to grow. Today, thanks to the dedication of over 250 volunteers, more than 1200 blind and visually impaired people of all ages use BSA's services. Mrs. Gottfried Bernstein's spirit splendidly lives on in the commitment and dedication of our volunteers and staff.