How can a student apply for a Belcher scholarship?
The school board of each MSBA member district is eligible to nominate one high school senior to apply. The local board of education should select their applicant based on academic achievement and leadership abilities; need may also be considered. After the district applicant is chosen the student should obtain a password from the guidance office and complete the application from on the MSBA FutureBuilders website during the application period, October 7, 2011-January 13, 2012. The applicant and their guidance counselor will receive confirmation and further instructions within two working days of submission. The student will need to obtain two letters of recommendation, a transcript and several signatures as well as completing the essay, if not already done.
How will a student or district know that the application components have been received, and are complete and eligible for consideration?
Communication will be made by email through the applicant and their guidance counselor. Upon receipt of the application components a confirmation email will be sent to the applicant and the counselor. The confirmation will note if there are any missing items and give instructions for correction. A final confirmation email will be sent when the application is complete. If further assistance is needed contact Diane Peterson at
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.
Why are districts that are not MSBA members ineligible to participate?
The John T. Belcher Scholarship program is one of the many privileges and benefits that are extended to members of the Missouri School Boards’ Association. For further information about membership contact Jeanie Gordon, Senior Director, Membership at 800-221-6722 ext. 331 or
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.
How do I know if my school district is a member of MSBA?
Contact the school district superintendent’s office. If there are any questions, contact MSBA.
Are K-8 school districts allowed to submit applications from high school seniors that attended in their district?
Yes, if the K-8 school district is a member of Missouri School Boards’ Association, they may submit an application from a student that attended in their district prior to high school.
How many scholarships are available?
Each year MSBA, through the FutureBuilders Foundation, awards seventeen scholarships to Missouri high school seniors. One scholarship winner is selected from each of the seventeen MSBA-designated regions of the state. Those seventeen winners then compete for one larger scholarship. The sixteen regional winners are awarded $750 scholarships and the statewide winner is awarded $1500.
Who selects the winners?
The regional winners are selected by the MSBA Regional Leadership Committees which is comprised of board members from school districts within each region. The RLCs throughout March and early April. Their selections are then submitted to the board of directors of the FutureBuilders Foundation who select the statewide winner.
How are the winner selected?
The committee members are instructed to consider three main factors in the selection process: academic strengths, extracurricular activities, and the quality of the applicant’s written essay. When appropriate, financial need may also be considered.
How are the winners announced?
All applicants will receive a letter indicating whether or not they were awarded the John T. Belcher Scholarship. A copy of the winner letter is also sent to the superintendent, district board secretary, board president, high school principal and guidance counselor. The statewide winner is notified by mail in late May or early June. Winners are also announced on the MSBA website.
What is the timeline for the scholarship process?
Early September – Dates for the annual program are announced
September/Early October – Promotional information is mailed to guidance offices and emails are sent to district personnel
October through January – Applications are accepted; check for exact dates each year
January – Deadline for applications; check for exact date
February – Applications are provided to Regional Leadership Committee members for consideration
March through April – Regional winners are selected at Regional Leadership Committee meetings
April – Letters are mailed to all applicants; winners are notified
April through May – Regional winners are recognized at spring regional meetings
May – FutureBuilders Board of Directors selects statewide winner; notification letter is mailed
June – Statewide winner is recognized at MSBA Leadership Summit in Columbia
June – Scholarship payment checks are mailed to colleges and universities
What is FutureBuilders?
FutureBuilders is the non-profit education foundation of the Missouri School Boards’ Association, organized in 1996 to promote student achievement and parent/community involvement in public schools. Built on the belief that public education is the foundation of our democracy, FutureBuilders believes that it is imperative that we counter the negative stereotyping of public schools so often expounded by the media and so-called “experts.” The foundation works to spread the news about the good things going on day in and day out in Missouri’s public schools. Their unofficial motto is “Research, not rhetoric” and they use that as a model to help tell the true story of the successes of our public schools.
Who was John T. Belcher?
John T. Belcher was a Missouri businessman who was instrumental in developing a number of innovative financing programs that improved the learning environment for thousands of public school students. Though Mr. Belcher lost his battle with cancer in 1989, his courage was an inspiration to all who know him.
Who is the main contact person for the application process?
Contact Diane Peterson, Administrative Assistant, at
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. The program is administered by Melissa Randol, Deputy Executive Director.