Bonner Scholars Application Form

Thank you for your interest in applying to be a part of the Bonner Scholars Program at Berea College!

This four-year program brings together fifteen students from each incoming class of Berea students to work together to have a positive impact in the community. As Bonner Scholars, students combine a strong commitment to service and social justice with personal growth, teamwork, leadership development, and scholarship, while making life-long connections to a national network. At Berea College, Bonner Scholars have community service labor positions all four years, as well as opportunities for travel, friendships, mentors, and life-changing experiences.

Applications for domestic students are due by Friday, March 14, 2025.

Finalists will participate in video interviews and orientations to the program in April.

Applicants will be notified about decisions before May 1, 2025.

Information about the application process for international students will be available soon.

In the meantime, check out more information about Berea's Bonner Scholars Program and more about the National Bonner Foundation Network. If you have questions about your application, send us an email at bonnerscholars@berea.edu.

Your Information

First Name (Please use the name you put on your application.)

Last Name (Please use the name you put on your application.)

Birthdate

Community Service Experience

Is community service a graduation requirement at your high school?

Yes

No

List your service activities during the past four years; these activities may have been as part of an organization, and you may have initiated some on your own in your neighborhood or community.

Select ONE of your service activities and describe what motivates you to participate.

What motivates you to want service to be part of your Berea College experience?

Teamwork and Leadership

The leadership development model of the Berea College Bonner Scholars Program includes teamwork as a key component. If one of your previous teammates (from a school project, sport, etc.) was making a post of 300 characters or less, what would they say about how you work on a team? Answer in 300 characters or less.

Bonner Foundation Network Common Commitments

There are six common commitments in Bonner Scholars Programs (Diversity, International Perspective, Social Justice, Community Building, Civic Engagement, and Spiritual Exploration). Identify one of the commitments that most resonates with you and explain why. How do you envision using that commitment in your service work? Answer in 300 words or less.

Community Engagement

Choose one of the following prompts, and then respond to the prompt in the essay box below. (Choose only one prompt. Don't answer all three prompts.)

Describe a current issue that you care about. In what ways are you involved or do you hope to be involved in addressing this issue?

Tell us about your home community and the role(s) you play within it.

Share an essay you have previously written (for example, your personal essay for a college application) that helps us to learn more about your interest in service and community engagement.

Endorsement (Optional)

You may choose to submit an endorsement (recommendation) form with your online application. The endorsement is not required. Your endorsement could come from a teacher, guidance counselor, supervisor, or other person familiar with your community service work. Family members should not submit endorsements on your behalf. Please enter ONLY one endorser's email below, and we will send them a link to the form for them to fill out on your behalf.

Endorser E-mail