HOW DOES THE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP PROCESS WORK?

The Foundation scholarship application windows are open every semester.  One application submitted matches the student to all possible Foundation scholarships.

• Fall semester - March 15 - May 15
• Spring semester - October 1 - November 15

Once the application window closes, all applications are reviewed by at least two Foundation Board Members and ranked based upon the following criteria:

• Is the applicant involved in the community through volunteer work, organizations/clubs or church? Has the applicant received any special honors?
• Is the application complete? Do the letters of recommendation support the applicant’s potential and need? Does the applicant use proper grammar?
• Does the applicant face challenges in regards to family, health or transportation?
• Is the applicant utilizing loans, grants or other methods for funding education? Did the applicant pay for school out of pocket because of their high commitment to school? If the applicant is not working, do they specify why? If there is not high financial need, do they still seem like a hardworking student?
• Has the applicant identified short and long-term career goals? Does the applicant have a plan of action to attain goals? Does the applicant recognize BTC’s role to reach these
• Overall ranking of this candidate's fitness for this scholarship.

Based on rankings, the recipients are chosen for each scholarship by the Foundaton team.

HOW DO I REQUEST STUDENT EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE?

Do you have a financial emergency that will interfere with attending or completing classes at Blackhawk?  CLICK HERE for more infomation.

WHY DOES BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE NEED A FOUNDATION?

There are several reasons why the development of the foundation can assist the college. Because of state restrictions on how community and technical colleges may receive and disburse gifts and grants, fundraising is cumbersome, if not impossible, for the college as an entity. As a separate body, the foundation can raise dollars for grants and scholarships and make investments to build an endowment for the future.

But the major advantage of the foundation is that it provides a means of fostering public interest in the college’s work. This is particularly important for a technical college, which often doesn’t have an active overall alumni group or support organization and thus needs a channel to involve community leaders in its operation. A strong foundation board of prominent, community-minded citizens not only opens doors to needed support dollars, but it also helps to interest other citizens with an appreciation for the goals and objectives of the college. Thus, the foundation provides a way for the entire community, as well as the college’s alumni, students and employees, to participate in the overall development and stability of Blackhawk Technical College.

WHAT DOES THE FOUNDATION DO FOR THE COLLEGE?

The foundation is empowered to solicit and receive gifts (whether money or other tangible assets) from individuals, partnerships, corporations or any other sources. Such gifts may be directed toward specific purposes or may be given without restriction to be used as determined by the foundation’s board of directors.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FOUNDATION OPERATIONS?

The direct management of Blackhawk Technical College Foundation is vested in its volunteer board of directors, comprising business and professional leaders from the community and representatives of the college, including the Foundation Director--Lisa Hurda.

WHAT IS THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE FOUNDATION AND THE COLLEGE?

Even though the foundation is a separate, legal entity, through its affiliation with the college, it must disburse its funds for the benefit of Blackhawk Technical College and its students.

HOW CAN I HELP SUPPORT BLACKHAWK TECHNICAL COLLEGE FOUNDATION?

Many citizens in Southeastern Wisconsin communities and beyond believe Blackhawk Technical College Foundation is an excellent way for private citizens, business and industry, and other organizations to help their community’s college through tax-deductible contributions of:

• Scholarships
• Planned Giving
• Annual Fund
• Emergency Student Support
• In-kind donations of equipment, supplies, property or real estate