As students across the state make plans for the 2020-21 academic year, a single Blinn College District scholarship application can make their education even more affordable.

Current high school and college students can apply for Blinn scholarships by completing the application at www.blinn.edu/scholarships. Prior to applying for scholarships, students must complete their application for admission to Blinn College at www.applytexas.org.

Endowed scholarships are available to incoming and returning students from a wide range of backgrounds, majors, and experiences. Students are considered based on high academic achievement, participation in student activities, and community involvement.

In Brenham, biomedical sciences major Daniel Aguas is the recipient of the Wilburn “Bill” Bohne Scholarship, one of more than 200 endowed scholarships made possible through generous donations to the Blinn Foundation.

“Receiving this scholarship has been amazing,” the Brenham High School graduate said. “It is very much appreciated. Every bit that you can get helps tremendously.”

Aguas completed a one-semester Emergency Medical Technician course at Blinn, then decided to pursue the medical training he needs to become a doctor. Aguas said he especially appreciates the caring mentors he has found in department heads Steve Ward (biology) and Rachel Sanchez-McKinley (chemistry).

“They have been very helpful,” he said. “I love being here every day.”

Scholarships also have made a huge difference in the life of Sharla Marler. A College Station resident, Marler is enrolled in Blinn’s Associate Degree Nursing Program. She is the recipient of two endowed scholarships: the Agnes Karlick Anderson Associate Degree Nursing Scholarship and the F.W. Bert and Mae Dean Wheeler Nursing Scholarship.

Marler, who already has a teaching degree in deaf education, said she decided to go back to college to become a nurse.

“It’s something that I have always wanted to do,” she said. “A lot of my students have disabilities beyond their hearing loss, and I grew to love that aspect of their lives as well. I kept hearing about how highly regarded Blinn is and how amazing the program is, and it all has been true – the quality of education is outstanding.”

When Blinn College-Bryan Campus student Madison Carpenter starts classes next Fall at Texas A&M University, she will have a strong foundation thanks to the classes she has taken with Blinn. A psychology major from La Grange, Carpenter had financial help in the form of the Rudolph and LaThel Schroeder Scholarship.

Carpenter said she chose Blinn to prepare for the rigors of a large university.

“I love taking classes at Blinn,” she said. “The professors are so helpful.”

Susan Myers, Executive Director of the Blinn Foundation, said the endowed scholarship program can be the difference that allows students to attend college. Earlier this year, scholarship donors were honored at the annual Endowed Scholarship Luncheon on the Brenham Campus.

“Some students may not be able to attend Blinn without the generosity of our endowed scholarship donors,” said Myers. “That generosity has helped many, many students realize their dreams. We thank all our donors for making such a positive impact on so many lives.”

According to data available on the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s CollegeForAllTexans.com, Blinn provides a significant value even before scholarships are included. Out-of-district students taking 30 credit hours in 2020-21 will save 44% in tuition and fees compared to in-state residents at the average public university.

A full list of Blinn’s endowed scholarships is available at http://catalog.blinn.edu. Students also can fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at www.fafsa.ed.gov. For more information, contact a scholarship advisor at [email protected].