Michael Bradley Benton April 23, 1974 to December 26, 2003 Brad was the son of Michael and Diane Benton and brother of Michelle Rhodes and Adrianne Benton. Brad graduated from Huffman High School in Birmingham, AL after which he joined the Navy where he trained as a Medical Corpsman. After completing his tour of duty, Brad return to Birmingham where he entered the field of Orthopaedics as an Orthopaedic Physician’s Assistant until his untimely death on December 26, 2003 at the age of 30.

Terms
The Michael Bradley Benton Memorial Educational Scholarship Fund Selection Committee will award a $2,000 scholarship to a qualified student who is enrolled in a program leading to a bachelor’s degree at an accredited college/university in the United States and will be a freshman or sophomore in Fall 2010.   The $2,000 award will be divided into two equal disbursements made before the beginning of the Fall 2010 semester and before the beginning of the Spring 2011 semester of the selected college/university.  The scholarship award will be sent directly to the recipient’s college/university and deposited in the recipient’s name.  The funds will be allocated toward the payment of tuition and academic fees and/or the purchase of required educational materials and books.   The school will be custodian of the funds and will disburse the award consistent with the purpose of this scholarship.

Recipients are required to be enrolled as full time students and to maintain a cumulative college grade point average of at least a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or the equivalent to be eligible for the second scholarship disbursement.  After completion of the Fall 2010 semester, recipients must submit a copy of their grade report and proof of their full-time spring enrollment status to the MBBMESFSC to receive the Spring 2011 semester disbursement.  Recipients will be eligible to re-apply for the scholarship for up to three years based on academic performance and regular application review process by the Selection Committee.

Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered for a scholarship:
- An ASOPA member certified by the NBCOPA or the spouse, child or grandchild of an ASOPA member who is certified by the NBCOPA.
- Student pursuing full-time studies leading to a bachelor’s degree at an accredited college/university in the US.
- Must be classified as a college freshman or sophomore in the Fall 2010 semester at time of disbursement of the scholarship.
- Must have a college or high school grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale or equivalent.
- Must be a US citizen or legal resident.

Selection Criteria
The following criteria are used to select the finalists:
- Academic performance
- Performance in previous high school or university levels
- Pursuing a bachelor’s degree
- Written organization
- Extracurricular activities and community involvement
- Financial need

Finalists may be interviewed by telephone by members of the Scholarship Committee.
Scholarship Application Deadline: May 15, 2010.

Application Process
Applicants must submit the following by May 15, 2010:
- Completed and signed application form
- College or high school transcript
- Letters of reference from three adults (at least one being a college or high school educator) addressed to Kent Lindeman, Director of the Michael Bradley Benton Memorial Educational Scholarship Selection Committee.  Include a contact telephone number, email address, and mailing address for each reference.
- Double spaced, typed personal statement of not more than 300 words describing the professional and career goals your studies are leading to, along with a brief description of financial need.
- A recent photo of the applicant
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Timeline

Questions?  Please contact Kent Lindeman, MBBMESFSC Director at (800) 280-2390 or via email at klindeman@hp-assoc.com.

The Michael Bradley Benton Memorial Educational Scholarship Selection Committee is composed of members from both the ASOPA and the NBCOPA who are charged with the duties of administering the scholarship fund.  The committee consists of a Director, and one member from both the ASOPA and the NBCOPA along with a certified educator as a consultant.

Click here to download application!