Bloomingdale Chamber accepting scholarship applications

The Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce is committed to providing a connection from classroom to career by developing tomorrow's leaders through their annual scholarship program.

Applicants must be either a member (or child of a member) of the Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce or a current resident of Bloomingdale. Multiple scholarships ranging from $500 to $1,500 are available to students graduating high school or currently enrolled in postsecondary school who are planning to continue their education.

Additionally, money is set aside for a trade school scholarship for students enrolling in a trade school or certification program such as cosmetology, car mechanics, HVAC, etc.

A panel of judges review the applications and look not just at grades, but students' involvement in the community, and their current situation. A high GPA is not the only criteria to win a scholarship.

The number of scholarships being offered depends on the amount of money donated by chamber businesses.

Last year, there were 49 applicants and the chamber awarded 12 students $1,000 scholarships.

"It is your local businesses supporting your students, which is another reason to support local by shopping, dining and do all your business locally. It is not the faceless online businesses donating to support your students," said Bloomingdale Chamber of Commerce President/CEO Cindy Allston. "I am always touched by the generosity of our local small businesses to support our Scholarship Program. I believe they are moved by the applicant's stories which are shared during our awards breakfast in May. If our residents just understood how important it is to stay local with their business and the impact every purchase makes on their community, more would be doing so."

A list of the 2022 donated businesses can be found on the chamber's website under the Scholarship Program.

For more information and applications for these scholarship opportunities, visit www.bloomingdalechamber.com/scholarship-program. Applications must be received by March 8.