Students of Integrity Scholarship

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Every year, the Better Business Bureau Integrity Foundation proudly recognizes high school seniors from the Middle TN and Southern KY area who personify sound ethical behavior and decision making in their leadership roles at school and in their community. Recipients are selected by a panel of judges to receive a $1,000 scholarship paid to the accredited college, university, or trade school of their choice.

Since the program’s inception in 2005, BBB's Integrity Foundation has awarded a total of over $100,000 in scholarships to high school students in Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky.

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Scroll down to learn more about the application process and to view a list our past scholarship recipients.

Eligibility & Criteria

BBB's Student of Integrity Scholarship program recognizes high school seniors who personify sound ethical behavior as demonstrated through Leadership, Community Service, Personal Integrity, and Academic History.

BBB's Integrity Foundation’s Board of Directors is committed to the belief that identifying and honoring high school seniors for character, integrity, and ethical conduct are important roles in fostering its mission of promoting ethics in the marketplace.

Applications and essays will only be accepted by high school seniors who will be graduating in Spring 2025. The applicant must have a desire to continue their education at an accredited college, university, or trade school. Scholarships will only be awarded on behalf of the scholarship recipients to an accredited college, university, or trade school.

- Must be a high school senior graduating in 2025
- Must attend school within the BBB Middle TN & Southern KY service area
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Desire to continue their education at an accredited college, university, or trade school
  Family of the BBB staff and Board Members are not eligible to apply. All submitted entries become the property of BBB of Middle TN & Southern KY and cannot be returned. Please retain a copy of your completed entry.
- Completed online application
- Letter of recommendation from guidance counselor/principal or an academic leader within your high school
- Letter of recommendation from an individual outside your school such as an employer, coach, mentor, etc. (No family members)
- Supporting Documentation (Community Service, Leadership, and Academic)
- Copy of Current High School Transcript
- Essay
Entries for BBB Students of Integrity Scholarships will be reviewed by independent judges selected by BBB. They will judge the entries based on four areas of criteria: Leadership, Community Service, Academic, and Essay.
- Leadership (20%) - Describe any extracurricular, work, or school-related activities. Include awards/honors or offices held.
- Community Service (20%) - Describe activities outside of school and within your community, such as church or specials community activities. Include awards/honors or offices held.
- Academic (20%) - Enclose a copy of your most recent transcript. A minimum of 3.0 GPA is required. Describe your post-secondary education plans.
- Essay (40%) - Articulate with clarity an ethical issue you have encountered and analyze what it has taught you about ethics and yourself. Essay must be a least 500 words, 12-point font, single spaced in black ink. Work must be solely the word of the student. Basic quotations, if properly documented, may be included in the essay. Please do not give the definition of the word “ethics.”

Frequently Asked Questions

We have trade school defined as a two year program that comes with a certificate and the individual would be seeking a career in a skilled trade - carpentry, welding, hair, nails, commercial driving, etc.
The Eligibility Requirements are listed above in the eligibility and criteria section.
Recipients and non-recipients will be notified by mid-March of 2025.
A total of 15 high school seniors will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship. We will award 10 college/university scholarships and 5 trade school scholarships.
Scholarships are distributed directly to the recipient's college, university or trade school in the first semester of their freshman year.
Entries for BBB Student of Integrity Scholarships will be reviewed by independent judges selected by BBB. They will judge the entries based on four areas of criteria: Leadership, Community Service, Academic, and Essay.
Email us at IntegrityFoundation@gobbb.org.