Scholarship Eligibility

The Foundation was established by the late Bettye Arnold Reed for the purpose of assisting capable, deserving and hard working students attending Floyd County institutions of higher learning who need financial assistance in completing their college education. Foundation scholarships are granted to qualified students for the purpose of attending an accredited college or university full time in the Floyd County Area.

Any student who has been accepted to Shorter University, Berry College, Georgia Highlands College, or Georgia Northwestern Technical College is eligible to apply and receive a Bettye Reed Scholarship Foundation Scholarship. Students must attend classes in Floyd County. Students attending college on a Campus outside of Rome, GA are ineligible for scholarship assistance.

Applicants are evaluated based on their work ethic, academic history and financial need with the greatest weight being placed on work ethic.

Scholarships are awarded on a yearly basis.  Applicants who are awarded a scholarship during a given year may reapply in subsequent years for continued support.

Scholarship Guidelines

The following information, forms and documents must be filed with the Bettye Reed Scholarship Foundation in order for an applicant to be considered for a scholarship.

All forms and information must be received by April 30, 2012 to be considered for a scholarship during the 2012-13 academic year.

Students can download a scholarship application here. To be considered complete, an application must also include the following:

1. Official Transcripts
   - Incoming freshmen should include complete high school transcripts
   - College students should include transcripts of all course work attempted from any and all institutions that they have attended
   - Transcripts should be official and mailed directly from the Registrar's Office to 15 E 5th Avenue, Suite A, Rome, GA 30161.
2. Resume
   - Should include Work History, Volunteer Experience, Extracurricular Activities, and References
3. Statement of your financial need
   - Should include a both a personal narrative stating need, as well as an Award Letter from the Financial Aid office of your college of interest
4. A letter of recommendation from a teacher, adviser, or employer who can address your work ethic, academic ability, and character
5. Essay
   - Topic: The Role of Hard Work, Academics, and Philanthropy in My Life

All scholarships are granted without subsequent obligation of the student to the Foundation; however, former recipients and others are urged to make contributions to the Bettye Reed Scholarship Foundation when circumstances permit.

Scholarships are awarded for the purpose of attending a specific institution and may not be transferred to any other institution except by prior authorization of the foundation board.

Renewals of Scholarships

Students awarded a Bettye Reed Scholarship Foundation scholarship who earn 30 semester hours or 45 quarter hours, or one full year of satisfactory credits in professional school and continue to demonstrate financial need are eligible to apply for renewal of Betty Reed Scholarship Foundation scholarships.

The following information, forms and documents must be filed with the Bettye Reed Scholarship Foundation in order for an applicant to be considered for a scholarship.

All forms and information must be postmarked by April 30. The transcript must be official and must include grades of the current semester or quarter.

1. A completed renewal application form.
2. A letter of recommendation from your academic dean or adviser.
3. A transcript of all courses attempted during the period of your scholarship (fall and spring).

Important Filing Information

Foundation scholarships are granted to students attending a college campus located in Floyd County.  Most scholarships are granted for a period of one academic year and may be renewed for one or more additional years.

Scholarships are granted to undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate good work ethic and fine moral character.

Funds awarded to students are sent directly to the approved college or university.

All information, forms and documents required of initial applicants or of renewal applicants must be postmarked no later than April 30.

First-time Applicants - Questions and Answers

Application Forms

Q. My Financial Aid Office does not have application forms. How do I obtain a form?
A. Application for a scholarship through the Bettye Reed Scholarship Foundation can be found at www.bettyereed.org.  The first step is to click on the link to download the scholarship application.  Print, complete and return the application with all required supporting documentation.

Q. I requested a form last year, but I did not meet the requirements at that time. May I file on last year's form?
A. No, you will need to request a current application form (available on our website www.bettyereed.org.)

Q. I just read about your Foundation on the Internet and I know that it is past the deadline. Are application forms still available?
A. No, you must have submitted your application (postmarked) before April 30 to be eligible for consideration this year.

Q. Do you have application forms online?
A. Yes, you may download an application from our website www.bettyereed.org. After downloading and completing the application mail it to the Bettye Reed Scholarship Foundation.

Q. If I overnight or express mail the application, will I get a quicker response?
A. No, all applications postmarked by the deadline April 30 are given the same consideration. 

Q. Is there an application fee?
A. No, there are no fees involved in applying for a Bettye Reed Scholarship Foundation scholarship.

Residency

Q. I am not a resident of Floyd County, but I plan on attending college in Floyd County. Can I apply?
A. Yes. The Bettye Reed Scholarship does not require that you live in Floyd County, but only that you attend an institution of higher learning within the County limits.

Grades

Q. My grade point average is 2.0. Am I eligible to apply?
A. Yes. While your grades are used in our decision they are not the sole determining factor. Hard work and financial need are also taken into account.

Q. I have been enrolled at three different colleges. Do you require transcripts from all three institutions?
A. Yes, we need transcripts for all of your college studies. However, if your current transcript covers all of the hours and grades for the other institutions, it is not necessary to request transcripts from all colleges. Some institutions indicate transfer hours, but do not include grades for these hours.

Q. I can print a copy of my hours and grades off the Internet. Will you accept this document?
A. No, we will need an official transcript(s).

Q. I have copies of my grade reports. Will you accept grade reports?
A. No, grade reports are not considered to be official and will not meet the requirement for a transcript of all of your college studies.

Q. I am entering a masters program next year. Will you need transcripts from my undergraduate studies?
A. Yes, we will need transcripts of all of your college studies.

Q. I am a third year masters student. Will you need my undergraduate transcripts?
A. Yes, we will need your undergraduate transcripts as well as your current transcript.

Q. My transcript will not be available by the deadline. What can I do?
A. You need to be sure that you have a request on file for a transcript before April 30 and inform us and we may accept the transcript when it becomes available depending on if the scholarship selection committee has made its decision.

Q. The Registrar's office has a hold on my transcript due to unpaid parking tickets. Will you accept a copy of the grades?
A. No, you must submit an official transcript in order to be eligible.

Deadlines

Q. What is the deadline for submitting an application?
A. The application form (complete) must be postmarked by April 30.

Q. I made a request for a letter of recommendation, but my professor has not completed it at this time and I have completed my application. Do I need to mail all documents at the same time?
A. No, the documents do not have to be mailed at the same time. Just be sure that you meet the required deadline for each document.

Q. My professor is not in his office. How can I be sure that he mailed the letter of recommendation?
A. You may e-mail the Bettye Reed Scholarship Foundation at any time and request the status of your application.

Q. I have mailed all of the documents required to apply for a scholarship. How do I know if you have received all of the documents and that my file is complete?
A. You will be notified that your file is complete upon receipt of all seven documents: Application, Transcripts, Resume, Statement of Financial Need, Financial Aid Award Letter, Letter of Recommendation, and Essay.

Distribution of Funds

Q. If I receive a scholarship, will I receive a check?
A. After the scholarship selection committee has made its recommendations and the Board of Directors has approved the scholarship recipients you will be contacted.  At that point in time you will be given a date to expect the check.  Checks will be made out in both your name and the name of the college that you attend.  You will need to endorse the check and then take it to your school's business office to deposit it in your account.

Q. I have a Hope Scholarship. Can I use the Bettye Reed Scholarship funds for other college related expenses?
A. Yes, any funds not needed for tuition, books and fees can be distributed directly to you (by your institution) for transportation, housing, food, etc. according to the policies that are set forth by each individual institution.  However if this award results in over awarding your tuition then we will request any excess monies be returned to the Foundation by the school.

College Campuses Outside of Floyd County

Q. I am a full-time student at Georgia Highlands College and attend classes at the Bartow County Campus.  Am I still eligible for a scholarship
A.  No.  To be eligible for a Bettye Reed Scholarship Foundation Scholarship you must attend classes at the Floyd County Campus.