Background
Tom Hart humbly volunteered on BBB in New Jersey’s Board of Directors from 2001 through 2016. He served as Chairman of the Board from 2005 to 2007 and as Chair of the Finance Committee for the majority of his tenure. Mr. Hart was a passionate advocate of BBB’s values of excellence, integrity, teamwork, trust, and respect. This Scholarship honors the commitment Tom so kindly and selflessly made in support of BBB’s mission to be the leader in advancing marketplace trust.
Eligibility
The BBB in New Jersey’s Tom Hart Memorial Scholarship recognizes one high school student graduating in 2026, who personifies high ethics demonstrated through academic history, personal values, leadership, and community services.
The winner will receive a scholarship of $3,000 to an accredited college or university of his or her choice. The funds will be distributed directly to the school upon verification of the student’s college enrollment. The scholarship must be applied toward school-related expenses including tuition, books, or other related items.
Guidelines
Entries for the BBB Tom Hart Memorial Scholarship will be reviewed by the Scholarship Committee. Judges will select the scholarship recipient based on their leadership, contributions to their communities and schools, academic accomplishments, and written essay. Decisions of the Scholarship Committee are final.
The applicant must be a full-time resident of New Jersey. The applicant must plan to attend an accredited college or university in the United States on a full-time basis. The applicant must be graduating in 2026 and have a desire to continue his/her education.
Procedure
Complete the application online at www.BBB.org/local-bbb/bbb-serving-new-jersey or email info@newjersey.bbb.org for a printable form and mail completed application packet to:
BBB
ATTN: Tom Hart Memorial Scholarship
1262 Whitehorse-Hamilton Square Rd, Bldg A, Ste 202
Hamilton, NJ 08690
Submission Period
The official submission period for entries begins January 15, 2026 and is limited to the first 50 complete applications received. The application period closes on February 15, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern OR when the 50th complete application is received – whichever is first. The Scholarship will be presented in April 2026 at BBB’s Annual Meeting.
Better Business Bureau of New Jersey, in making this Memorial Scholarship, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, handicap or national or ethnic origin. Directors, employees, contractors and/or volunteers (current or former) of BBB of New Jersey, or any member of the family of any such directors, employees, contractors and/or volunteers are ineligible to receive this scholarship.
