Busey Bank Bridge Scholarship

The Busey Bank Bridge Scholarship offers financial support toward continuing education endeavors to applicants of all ages and education backgrounds. Applicants will be required to meet specific eligibility requirements. $25,000 in the aggregate will be awarded annually through the Busey Bank Bridge Scholarship Fund. Such funds will be disbursed through ten, individual, $2,500 scholarships throughout the Busey Bank service area. The scholarship funds can be used for tuition, fees, books or supplies for continuing education. Funds cannot be used for personal purchases at the bookstore.


  • Scholarship recipients are selected by a Scholarship Committee, appointed by Busey Bank, in its sole discretion.
  • In the event a recipient receives a full scholarship from another source, any award received from Busey Bank will be withdrawn.
  • Scholarship recipients will also receive a Busey Bank gift.
  • The application deadline is June 3, 2025.
  • Selected scholarship recipients will be notified by July 8, 2025.


Eligibility Criteria

All applicants must:

  1. Meet the following income requirement: Annual gross family income cannot exceed 80% of the median income in your county. Reference your county's information here.
  2. Be a high school graduate or equivalent.
  3. Be enrolled or eligible for admission at a continuing education facility.
  4. Use the awarded scholarship during the upcoming academic year.
  5. Busey Bank and CrossFirst associates and associates' family members are excluded and ineligible to apply.
  6. Applicants do NOT need to be a Busey Bank customer to be apply.
  7. Scholarship recipients will be chosen without regard to race, ethnicity, national origin, sex or gender.
  8. Must reside in one of the following Counties within the applicable States set forth below:
  • Illinois
  • Champaign, McLean, Peoria, Tazewell, Macon, Will, Grundy, Cook, DuPage, Madison, St. Clair, Jersey, Lake, Clinton, Shelby
  • Missouri
  • St. Louis, St. Charles, Jackson
  • Florida
  • Lee, Sarasota, Charlotte
  • Indiana
  • Hamilton, Marion
  • Arizona
  • Maricopa, Pima
  • Colorado
  • El Paso, Denver
  • Kansas
  • Johnson, Sedgwick
  • New Mexico
  • Union, Harding
  • Oklahoma
  • Oklahoma, Tulsa
  • Texas
  • Dallas, Tarrant, Denton


How to Apply

  1. Complete the Scholarship Application using this form. If you need a paper application, please visit your nearest Busey Bank service center or Busey.com/scholarship.
  2. Upload the following documents to your Scholarship Application:
  3. A copy of your high school transcripts and/or transcripts from any other higher education received.
  4. Provide proof of enrollment at continuing education facility.
  5. Three letters of recommendation/reference. One letter should be employment or academic related and two should be character references. Please attach this information to the Scholarship Application.
  6. Write a 500-word essay stating your aims and goals in obtaining further education. Please refer to the Scholarship Application for essay details.
  7. Proof of income qualification. Please attach a copy of your 2024 Federal Tax Return. The Adjusted Gross Income (AGI) on the Federal Tax Return will be used to determine income eligibility. If members of the same household filed separate 2024 Federal Tax Returns, the AGI and household sizes for each return should be added together to determine the total household income. A photocopy is sufficient.


Please note: In situations where a tax return is unavailable, the following list provides a few examples of additional forms of income that can be provided.


o    Unemployment Statements

o    Social Security Statements

o    Public Assistance Documentation

o    Other Valid Verification



3. The completed Scholarship Application and supporting documents must be received on or before June 3, 2025.

4. After the Scholarship Committee has reviewed each submitted Scholarship Application, selected applicants will be notified and invited to a presentation ceremony in August.


Application inquiries and supporting documentation should be directed to clientandcommunityrelations@busey.com.

Personal Information

Phone

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Current Education Status

The Busey Bank Bridge Scholarship offers financial support toward continuing education endeavors to applicants of all ages and education backgrounds.

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Prospective Student

Current Continuing Education Student

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Please upload your GED transcript at the end of this form.

Please upload your high school transcript at the end of this form.

Name of college, university, trade school or vocational school

Please select the year of schooling you will be beginning in the fall of 2024.

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Household Income

If you are claimed as a dependent, you must list your family's annual gross income, listed on your 1040 tax return.

Work Experience

Example: June 2021 - February 2024

Example: June 2021 - February 2024

Example: June 2021 - February 2024

Extracurricular Activities

Please list your extracurricular activities in the spaces below. Include dates and any leadership roles held.

Examples: student council, yearbook club, scholastic bowl, honor societies, etc.

Examples: community volunteering, church involvement, Rotary, etc.

Examples: teams, coaching, etc.

Examples: music ensembles, photography club, theater, etc.

Essay

Please write a 500-word essay stating your aims and goals in obtaining further education. Content, organization and proper grammar usage will be considered.


This essay must be uploaded with the other required documentation on this form or emailed to clientandcommunityrelations@busey.com by June 3, 2025 in order to be considered for the scholarship.

Documents

Please upload the following documents with your application:


-    All documents must be submitted in a pdf or jpeg format.

-    Google Docs will NOT be accepted.

A copy of your high school transcripts, GED transcripts, and/or transcripts from any other higher education received

One letter should be employment or academic related and the other two should be character references.

Please attach a 500-word essay stating your aims and goals in obtaining further education. Content, organization, and proper grammar usage will be considered.

Examples: 1040 tax return, public assistance documentation, or any other valid verification (Annual gross family income cannot exceed 80% of the median income in your county. Reference your county's information here.)


*Additional documentation subject to request.

If you are unable to attach your documents, please email them to clientandcommunityrelations@busey.com by June 3, 2025.


All documents must be submitted in a pdf or jpeg format. Google Docs will NOT be accepted.

Drag and drop files here or

Photo/Video Release

In the event I am awarded a scholarship from Busey Bank, checking the box below does hereby give Busey Bank, their assigns, legal representatives, and successors the irrevocable right to use my name, portrait, photograph, image, or voice in all forms and medias and in all manners, including publication and advertising of every description, and I waive any right to inspect or approve the finished product, including written copy, that may be created in connection therewith.


I also release Busey Bank and any of its representatives from any and all monetary obligations or payments to me or any or all of my authorized representatives for use of video, films, photographs, images and/or voice of myself. I have read this release and am fully familiar with its content.

If the person listed above is under the age of 18, the consent of a parent or guardian is required.

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