Each year, dozens of high school students apply to be a part of the Bonner Program and in turn, receive the Bonner Scholarship at Waynesburg University.

Because of the nature of the Bonner Foundation, not everyone is accepted for the scholarship service program. And, of those who are accepted, not everyone continues in the program for their entire college career.

As a result, the leaders of the Bonner Program at Waynesburg must have a process not only for filling the program slots each year but also, for filling empty spots as they occur.

According to Adrienne Tharp, Bonner Program coordinator at Waynesburg, this process begins for high school seniors in January, once they’ve been accepted to the university. They can apply for the Bonner Scholarship online, and a selection of those who apply will be asked to come to Waynesburg for an interview.

“We look for students who have experience with service, have a desire to serve and understand time management,” said Tharp. “The main thing is we want to find students for the program that truly have a heart for service.”

There are more specific qualifications, as well. The scholarship is need-based, so financial need is taken into account, and students must have completed their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered. Recent changes in FAFSA deadlines, Tharp said, have made the process of assessing financial need much easier.

“It was so nice this year that FAFSA is now avail in October,” said Tharp. “That really helped our process and allowed us to know before we interviewed students if they were eligible or not, so that made it so much easier.”

The Bonner Foundation, which funds the scholarship at more than 20 schools across the nation, also sets certain requirements for recipients.

Students who meet all requirements and are offered the scholarship have until May 1 of their senior year to accept it. Tharp said that, last year, 40 of the 100 applicants were interviewed, and 17 of those 40 were offered the scholarship.
If students don’t accept their spot in the program, Tharp moves on to a wait list, contacting students who are next in line.

Students who are interviewed and don’t receive the scholarship are contacted by Tharp or by Kelley Hardie, assistant dean of Student Services and director of the Bonner Program. Tharp said they tell such students about the various service opportunities still available to all students at Waynesburg.

“A lot of times, students who end up coming here will keep in contact with us and say, ‘I’m still really interested in this program if a spot opens,’” said Tharp. “We do try to stay in touch with them, but we also encourage them to stay in touch with us.”

They give the same advice to students who missed the Bonner application deadline or didn’t apply but show interest in getting involved in the program.
If students stay in touch, said Tharp, they may be contacted if a spot in the Bonner Program opens up due to a student transferring to another university or leaving the program.

“When spots open up, we often open up a search,” said Tharp. “I usually have a list of students who have expressed interest. If I don’t have a list, I’ll work with financial aid and I’ll get a list of students who would meet the FAFSA requirement. Then, I’ll email students that I know are involved in service or who have expressed an interest.”

Tharp encourages students on that list to apply for the program, and then they are interviewed. If they enter the program, they are expected to complete all the same service requirements as a student who began the program freshman year. Students cannot join the Bonner Program after the fall of their junior year.

On occasion, Tharp has encountered students wondering why they weren’t selected for the scholarship. She reminds them that there are many qualified students, and it’s not an easy decision. It often comes down to financial need and “just that drive and that desire to serve.” Those characteristics are what Tharp and Hardie want to see from students interested in Bonner.

“The main thing is, if they’re interested, to come and speak with [Hardie] and I,” said Tharp. “It’s also helpful seeing that they’re already involved in service – that’s something we look for.”