Annual and Endowed Scholarships

SUPPORTING ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE AND STUDENT SUCCESS

Launch Date: January 2008
Completion Date: December 2010
Amount to Raise: $900,000

Securing and awarding scholarship funds is a fundamental part of the Foundation’s mission. Scholarships make it possible for deserving students to excel at BTC while easing debt burdens after graduation. Many students don’t qualify for sufficient financial aid to pay for school and therefore rely heavily on scholarships to make up that difference. Most of our scholarships serve students with the greatest need while also encouraging strong academics and civic engagement. While in school, we want students to focus on what’s important, their education. A scholarship at BTC makes that possible.

Building our scholarship funds is a top priority for the Foundation especially in light of recent budget cuts, increasing enrollment, and tuition and fee hikes. There are three different ways in which you can choose to give scholarship gifts.

Download our Scholarship Info & FAQ sheet!

Named Annual Scholarships

Annual scholarships comprise the bulk of scholarships awarded to BTC students each year. Scholarships may be named for individuals or organizations and the donors may specify award criteria that reflect their own values and objectives. A minimum gift of $5000 per year is necessary to establish a named scholarship.

Endowed Scholarships

An endowed scholarship is a legacy gift that honors an individual’s life accomplishments, passions and values. A minimum gift of $25,000 (which can be pledged over several years) is required to establish an endowed scholarship. An endowed fund can be created through a will, a planned gift or by simply endowing a fund today. The Foundation annually distributes 4% of the fund balance at the end of every year for scholarships. Like Annual Scholarships, donors may specify award criteria that reflect their own values and objectives.

Memorial or Honorary Gifts

A memorial or honorary gift allows you to recognize a loved one with a fund created by contributions made in that person's name. Many memorials are established as endowed scholarships, permanently carrying the names of those honored.  Again, like Annual Scholarships, donors may specify award criteria that reflect their own values and objectives.

General BTC Scholarships

Perhaps the easiest way to support scholarships is to contribute to BTC’s Endowed Scholarship fund or Annual Scholarship fund. A person or business can contribute any amount they want and every dollar donated goes directly to supporting students at BTC.

See a listing of our Annual and Endowed Scholarships for the 2009/2010 academic year.

If you are a student at BTC you may apply for a Scholarship.

Timeline for Scholarship Awards

Students are invited to make application for scholarship funds in spring quarter of each academic year. A scholarship committee then reviews applications and makes award decisions by the end of July. If you wish to have a scholarship awarded in academic year 2010/2011, please make sure to make your gift prior to June 1st, 2010.

Gift Acceptance

The BTC Foundation can accept credit card, check, cash and gifts of stock. All checks should be made payable to the BTC Foundation and mailed to Brad Tuininga, Foundation Development Director at 3028 Lindbergh Avenue, Bellingham, WA. 98225. If you wish to discuss a legacy gift or make a gift of stock, please contact either Brad Tuininga at 360-752-8464 or OR Mary Humphries, Executive Director of College Advancement at 360-752-8378 or .