Senior Scholarships

Senior Scholarships

The Bethany Public Schools Foundation is proud to support graduating seniors as they take the next step in their academic journey. Each year, scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, character, and a commitment to their community.

Explore the opportunities below and submit your application to be considered.

Heather Cole Miller Legacy Scholarship

This scholarship, a $2,500 scholarship from the Foundation together with a $2,500 match from the Miller Family, honors a woman who lived fully, loved deeply, and served faithfully. A devoted wife, mother to three Bethany graduates, longtime member of the Bethany Public Schools Board of Education, adjunct history professor, entrepreneur, runner, host, mentor, and friend. Heather believed life was meant to be invested, not accumulated. She championed education, cherished community, opened her home often, pursued experiences over possessions, and encouraged others to stretch beyond comfort. Rooted firmly in her faith in Christ, she lived with conviction, courage, intellect, and joy. This scholarship seeks to recognize a Bethany senior who reflects those same qualities and is prepared to impact the world with depth and purpose.

Award Amount

$5,000 awarded to one graduating senior

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

  • Be a graduating senior of Bethany Public Schools

  • Maintain a minimum 3.5 GPA

  • Be accepted to an accredited 2-year, 4-year, or vocational institution

  • Demonstrate leadership and meaningful community involvement

Timeframe:

Application period commences the first day of the student’s senior year and closes April 1 of the following calendar year.  

Application Requirements

1. Reflective Essay (1,200–1,800 words)

Select one of the following prompts:

  • Rooted and Grounded - What values or guiding convictions shape your decisions, relationships, and future goals? How will you continue cultivating depth of character in college and beyond?

  • A Life Rich in Meaning - Describe a defining experience that stretched you and shaped who you are becoming. What did it cost you? How will you pursue a life defined by impact rather than accumulation

  • Courage to Stretch - Share about a time you took a meaningful risk: academically, socially, spiritually, physically, or professionally. What did you learn? What risk are you preparing to take next?

2. Intellectual Engagement Submission

In honor of Heather’s love for history and education, applicants must submit either a 3 - 5 page research paper on a historical event, leader, or movement that has shaped modern society or thoughtful analytical paper (2-4 pages) explaining how understanding history equips us to lead and serve wisely today.

3. Leadership & Service Portfolio

  • Resume of school, church, athletic, or community involvement

  • 250 – 500 word reflection describing one meaningful way you have invested in others

  • One letter of recommendation addressing character, integrity, and influence

4. Finalist Interview

Selected finalists will participate in a short interview with the scholarship committee.

Submit Application

First Bethany Bank & BPSF Scholarship

Since 1997, First Bethany Bank and the Bethany Public Schools Foundation (BPSF) have partnered to recognize two deserving seniors by way of two $1,000 scholarships.  We welcome all seniors, that meet the below requirements.

 Qualifications:

  • Academic achievement: 3.0 minimum GPA 

  • Each recipient is expected to enroll as a full-time undergraduate student as defined by his/her undergraduate institution, no later than the opening fall semester or term after notice of selection for the scholarship.

  • All scholarship awards are disbursed directly to the school, college, or university.

Key Information

  • Recipients will be notified of acceptance via email or in person.

  • Applicants receiving full scholarships from their future schools are not eligible to apply for this scholarship.

  • If circumstances arise whereby an award recipient is unable to enroll or is unable to use the award in the opening fall semester after notice of his/her selection, the recipient must submit a written request for deferment. Each request will be reviewed and determined solely by BPSF on a case-by-case basis.  Failure of a recipient to obtain written approval of deferment from BPSF will lead to forfeiture of his/her right to the scholarship.

  • Should a scholarship recipient wish to transfer to another college or university (other than what is submitted for the application), a written request must be submitted to BPSF.

  • The above guidelines will be adhered to for each and every BPSF scholarship awarded.

Application Information:

  • Student name

  • Student or parent email – do not use the student BPS email address

  • Parent name, phone number, and email address

  • Name of Career Tech, College, University you will be attending

  • Intended field of study/major

  • List any school or community service projects or clubs student has actively participated 

  • What else do you want us to know?  What are your higher learning aspirations and goals?  

  • What other scholarships have your received?

Submit Application

Questions?

For questions about eligibility or the application process, please contact the Bethany Public Schools Foundation.

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