Baccalaureate Degree Program

Application Time-Line

The Online Scholarship Application for the baccalaureate degree program can be found here beginning in mid-August through the end of November. Please check back beginning in mid-August to apply.

The application process occurs in three phases. Phase One will check for applicant eligibility (see below). Phase Two will be the online application itself. Phase Three consists of short student interviews and will culminate with up to 35 new Bedsole Scholarships being awarded. Each phase will require certain forms to be downloaded, filled out and returned to The Scholars Program office by select deadline dates.

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Applicant Eligibility

  1. Graduating from an accredited public or private secondary school in the spring semester of the senior year, with plans to pursue a Baccalaureate degree at a qualifying 4-year institution within the State of Alabama that fall.
  2. Graduating from a high school in:
    • Mobile County
    • Baldwin County
    • Clarke County
    • Monroe County
    • Washington County
    • Sweet Water High School in Marengo County
    • ASMS students must be from the 5 mentioned counties and their parents must reside there.
  3. Applicant, along with his parent or legal guardian, must physically reside in one of the aforementioned counties.
  4. Applicant must apply for admission and financial aid (FAFSA) as a full-time student in an accredited college/university in the state of Alabama
  5. Applicant must achieve a minimum composite ACT score of 21 prior to the November 30 (Phase One) deadline
  6. Applicant must possess a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 at the end of the junior year
  7. Applicant must demonstrate an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) of $10,000 or less

Scholarship Award

The J. L. Bedsole Scholarships are “last dollar” scholarships, awarded only after all other aid/scholarships have been awarded. The J. L. Bedsole Scholarships are based on remaining need.

The total of a student’s Expected Family Contribution and all other aid and scholarships (excluding loans) are subtracted from the school’s direct cost of attendance budget to determine remaining need. Direct Cost of Attendance includes tuition, books, fees, room and board.

Applicants must file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) beginning in the months prior to the fall semester of enrollment.

The J. L. Bedsole Scholarship amounts do not exceed $6,000 per academic year.

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Scholarship Renewal

The baccalaureate degree scholarship may be renewed up to eight consecutive fall and spring semesters or until the baccalaureate degree is received, whichever comes first. Scholarships are only renewed if the student meets all of The J. L. Bedsole Scholars Program policy requirements.

All J. L. Bedsole Scholarships are re-evaluated annually to determine any changes in “Unmet Need.” Scholarship amounts will be adjusted according to the changes in “Unmet Need.”

All J. L. Bedsole Scholars must comply with the following policies for scholarship renewal and or continued association with The J. L. Bedsole Scholars Program:

    • File a FAFSA annually
    • Demonstrate “Unmet Need”
    • Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 or greater
    • Enrollment as a full-time student for the full academic year (summer school is not part of the academic year)
    • Attend two Leadership Training Seminars, one at the completion of the freshmen year, and the other at the completion of the sophomore year. Both seminars usually occur the last Saturday in May or first Saturday in June. Depending on the holiday weekend. 
    • Complete 60 hours of community service at the rate of 20 hours per academic year by the end of the junior year
    • Use the online FOCUS 2 career and education planning tool 
    • Complete address/phone number/email updates for both home and school mailing addresses
    • Comply with all other scholarship mandates

Scholarship Agreement

  • Maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.0 scale
  • Fulfill the minimum academic hours required by the school to be considered a full-time student in good standing upon completion of each semester, and to maintain suitable progress toward graduation
  • Report any significant change in the family’s financial status to the Scholars Program in order to re-evaluate the scholarship
  • The scholarship can only be applied to the payment of tuition, fees, books, supplies, room and board as educational expenses
  • If the amount of the scholarship funds exceeds the qualified expenditures or the student fails to complete or otherwise discontinues his or her course of study, the student agrees to refund the excess funds to The J. L. Bedsole Foundation.
  • The scholarship is a “last dollar” scholarship, awarded only after financial aid is awarded by the school. Additional scholarships must be reported to The J.L. Bedsole Scholars Program.
  • Student and student’s parent/guardian must sign an “Authorization to Release Financial Information” form and return it to The J.L. Bedsole Scholars Program on an annual basis.
  • Within 14 days after the close of each academic semester or quarter, a transcript of courses taken and grades received must be delivered to The J.L. Bedsole Scholars Program.
  • Student and parent/guardian agree to notify The J.L. Bedsole Scholars Program in writing, immediately, if student withdraws from or fails to complete a course of study at school.
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