Brighthouse Scholar Connections, Inc. (“Scholar Connections”), a tax-exempt non-profit corporation, was established to expand educational opportunities in higher education for students who are members of historically underrepresented or disadvantaged populations due to race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or similar factors (“Underrepresented Students").
Scholarship Program Overview
Scholar Connections will award scholarships to Underrepresented Students from local high schools and from various partner educational institutions, including universities, colleges, trade schools, vocational schools, and/or certain other institutions of higher learning (collectively, “Educational Institutions"). All college students pursuing their undergraduate degree or trade school certification, enrolled at our partner Educational Institutions are eligible to apply for a scholarship (even if they did not attend a partner high school).
Scholar Connections currently awards annual scholarships of up to $10,000 per student. Students may currently receive up to a maximum of $40,000 over four years for their undergraduate or trade school education, which amount may be increased in the future. Scholarships are awarded annually and must be applied for annually. The scholarship funds will be paid directly to the recipient’s Educational Institution in or about July for the following academic school year and may only be used for qualified tuition and related expenses charged by the Educational Institution, including (a) tuition and fees required for enrollment or attendance; (b) fees, books, supplies, and equipment required for courses of instruction; and (c) room and board. No current Brighthouse Financial employees or their relatives are eligible to receive a scholarship from Scholar Connections.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to be eligible for a scholarship, applicants will need to:
Be an Underrepresented Student, as described above. Examples of underrepresented and disadvantaged students include, but are not limited to:
Individuals from racial and ethnic groups which historically have lower college enrollment, retention and completion rates or protracted graduation rates;
Individuals who are the first generation in their family to attend college;
Individuals who have graduated from or are attending a high school that has a low percentage of seniors receiving a high school diploma or a low percentage of graduates who go to college following graduation; and
Individuals who have graduated from or are attending a high school with low per capita funding or have lower standardized testing scores according to published data.
While all Underrepresented Students will be considered, members of one or more of the following groups whose longstanding underrepresentation in institutions of higher education has been demonstrated, are encouraged to apply:
• Black/African American, Latino/Hispanic, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Native American Indians, and refugees.
• Be enrolled at one of Scholar Connections’ partner Educational Institutions on a full-time basis for the academic year;
• Demonstrate financial hardship warranting the need for financial assistance; and
• Produce records indicating a minimum grade point average at the Educational Institution of 2.7.
The following documents must be submitted along with this application for consideration:
• Your resume;
• If you are a high school senior, a college acceptance letter;
• A 200-word personal statement detailing how the Scholar Connections Program Scholarship can support your academic goals;
• A writing sample answering one of the writing prompts described below;
• Your current school transcript; and
• A letter of recommendation from a teacher, advisor, guidance counselor or administrator from your current Educational Institution.
This application and all supporting documents must be submitted by November 6th. If you are a high school senior, you must complete this application by the deadline, but have until April 15 to submit your college acceptance letter.
