Brother James Kearney Scholarship for the Blind

The Brother James Kearney Scholarship For The Blind is funded through the Lavelle Fund Foundation and aims to help make quality undergraduate and graduate education affordable for financially needy Tri-State area students who are legally blind and capable of university-level study. Stipends for general educational purposes are awarded to no more than ten (10) Seton Hall students every academic year.

Who is eligible to apply for funding through the Brother James Kearney Scholarship Program?
Students accepted into an undergraduate or graduate program at Seton Hall and are certified as legally blind by their home state's Commission for the Blind may apply. The Brother James Kearney Scholarship For The Blind provides scholarships for students in the "Tri-State" area.

What does this mean?
Seton Hall students who are legal residents of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut are eligible to apply.

Do I need to be registered with my home state's Commission for the Blind?
Yes. Students must maintain contact with a representative from their home state's Commission every year. For students that receive financial assistance through the Commission, updated financial documents must be submitted annually to ensure continued funding.

Do I need to register with Disability Support Services?
Yes. Students must self-identify and provide documentation of visual impairment to the Office of Disability Support Services (DSS).

Are there any forms that I need to complete to begin the application process?
Yes. Students will be asked to sign a Release of Information form so that Disability Support Services may compile application information, including financial records from the Office of Financial Aid.

What is the amount of stipend I can receive from the program each year?
Stipends vary depending on college costs and student need - but will not exceed a maximum of $15,000 per year for up to four (4) years.

Do I need to apply for financial aid?
Yes. Undergraduate and graduate students must complete the standard financial aid application process through Seton Hall's Office of Financial Aid every year that they wish to participate in the Brother James Kearney Scholarship Program. Your Seton Hall financial aid package will include all forms of aid: institution grants and scholarships, state or federal grants, work study and student loans.

Will I have to borrow student loans if I am eligible to receive funding through the program?
Maybe. Brother James Kearney Scholarships are awarded based on a "last dollar of need." Seton Hall will determine the appropriate annual scholarship amount for each participating student based on the following calculation:

Total College Cost (tuition, fees, room and board, books)
Minus:

1. Non-Brother James Kearney Scholarship Program Financial Aid (state and federal grants, institution grants and scholarships, funding from your state's Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired)
2. Expected Family Contribution (the share of college cost that the college determines the student's family can pay). This information is calculated based on completion of the FAFSA.
3. 
   Your family will not normally be expected to borrow any money to cover college expenses, unless total college cost exceed non-Brother James Kearney Scholarship Program aid, your expected family contribution, and the maximum Brother James Kearney Scholarship amount.

   
   Will I still be eligible to apply for other scholarships if I am receiving scholarship funding?
   Yes. Students are encouraged to seek out every funding source that will assist them with financing their education. Learn more about other scholarships through the Office of Financial Aid, the Ruth Sharkey Academic Resource Center Scholarship directory, and Disability Support Services' Scholarship directory.

   How many I used my scholarship?
   Scholarship awards are applied directly to student accounts every semester. If there is an outstanding balance on your student account (i.e. unpaid tuition, room and board), the stipend will be applied to the balance. If the scholarship award credit exceeds any outstanding balances, you may request a refund check from Seton Hall's Office of the Bursar. Funds can be applied to living expenses, book costs, transportation expenses, and assistive technology.

   Can I receive Brother James Kearney Scholarship funding if I am a part-time student?
   Maybe. Graduate students must maintain satisfactory full-time progress. Undergraduate students who expect to take more than four years to complete their program must seek approval from Seton Hall's Office of Disability Support Services to receive continued scholarship funding.

   How is Brother James Kearney Scholarship funding affected by my academic performance?
   Students must be in good academic standing to receive scholarship funding.