W. M. Batson Inclusive Scholarship
Will Batson is a beloved son and member of the East Ridge Football Program, which has been an incredible part of his life. Will has autism and first joined the football team as a ball boy back in eighth grade. He is now in eleventh grade and being part of the football team has been one of the highlights of his high school journey and has been instrumental in his happiness. The team has been very supportive and inclusive, helping him find his voice and fit in despite being different.
This scholarship seeks to encourage students to be empathetic and inclusive so that all of their peers can feel accepted, regardless of the struggles they may face.
Any high school senior who is an athlete from Minnesota may apply for this scholarship if they have volunteering experience, strong character, and a history of promoting inclusivity. However, applicants from East Ridge High School are preferred.
To apply, share about a time you displayed empathy and inclusion and about the role sports have played in the development of your character.
Share about a time that you displayed empathy towards someone different from you. How did you make them feel included? What role do you think sports have played in developing your character and your desire for inclusion?
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FAQ
The application deadline is Apr 1, 2025. Winners will be announced on Apr 30, 2025.
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Award amounts per winner are designated by the donor. Check the award amount for a detailed breakdown.
The winner will be publicly announced on Apr 30, 2025. Prior to the announcement date, we may contact finalists with additional questions about their application. We will work with donors to review all applications according to the scholarship criteria. Winners will be chosen based on the merit of their application.
Award checks will be sent to the financial aid office of the winner's academic institution or future academic institution in their name to be applied to their tuition, and in the name of their institution (depending on the school's requirements). If the award is for a qualified educational non-tuition expense, we will work with the winner directly to distribute the award and make sure it goes towards qualified expenses.
Before we award the scholarship, the winner will be required to confirm their academic enrollment status. Depending on the circumstances, verification of Student ID and/or their most recent transcript will be required.
If you have any questions about this scholarship or the Bold.org platform, just email contact@bold.org and we’ll get back to you as quickly as we can.
Yes. The terms and conditions for this scholarship can be found here.