BNSF News

BNSF College Scholarship Program Application Requests Accepted Jan. 1

2008-12-22

It’s time for high school seniors to apply for college scholarships, including those offered through the BNSF Foundation Scholarship Program. Once again, the BNSF Foundation will award up to 35 scholarships -- $2,500 each -- for the 2009-2010 college year.

A direct Web site link is available again so applicants can electronically fill out an application request. Details are included below.

Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions.

When are applications due?

Applications for the 2009-2010 BNSF Scholarship Program must be postmarked no later than April 1, 2009.

Requests for applications will be accepted starting Jan.1, 2009.

Who is eligible?

The program is available to current high school seniors who are the dependent sons, daughters or stepchildren of full-time BNSF employees or retired, disabled or deceased employees of BNSF or its predecessor companies. Full-time employees must have at least two years of service as of Jan.1, 2009, and must still be employed by BNSF when winners are selected in April. Retired, disabled or deceased employees must have completed the two-year requirement prior to ending their service with BNSF.

How many scholarships are available?

Up to 35 scholarships for $2,500 each will be awarded to full-time students in four-year colleges/universities in the United States. With satisfactory academic progress, the scholarships are renewable for three additional years. Twenty-five scholarships will be awarded through International Scholarship and Tuition Services (ISTS), and up to 10 through the National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC). The 10 BNSF Foundation Merit Scholarship winners will be selected by the NMSC. If not all NMSC scholarships are awarded, the balance will be converted to ISTS scholarships.

What information is required?

For the scholarships handled by ISTS, winners are selected largely on the basis of academic merit, in addition to consideration for past academic performance, leadership and participation in school and community activities and an essay. ACT or SAT scores are acceptable. Guidance counselors routinely supply the required test scores on the high school records accompanying the applications. 

Who is eligible for National Merit Scholarships?

To be eligible, students must take the PSAT in their junior year. Therefore, seniors this year should have taken the PSAT in 2007 when they were juniors to qualify for the NMSC-sponsored program sponsored. The NMSC then notifies sponsors, such as BNSF, about award acceptances and provides scholarship certificates for presentation to winners.

Can more than one scholarship be awarded to an individual?

No. A student cannot win more than one BNSF Foundation-funded scholarship. Since neither award is guaranteed, it is recommended that National Merit finalists also apply for the ISTS-handled scholarships. However, students who do win Merit scholarships are automatically withdrawn from consideration for ISTS scholarships.

How do I get an application?

To obtain an application and descriptive brochure, please complete and return the application request form by March 1, 2009. You may request an application starting Jan. 1, 2009, by either mailing or faxing in the request. You may also request an application or apply directly online by accessing the following Web site: https://www.applyists.net  and follow the instructions. You will be asked to use the access key BNSF.

Note: The application must be postmarked no later than April 1, 2009.

What is the contact information?

• Mail:

BNSF Scholarship Program

c/o ISTS

P.O. Box 23737

Nashville, Tenn., 37202-3737

• Fax: 615-320-3151
• Web site: https://www.applyists.net 
• E-mail: https://www.applyists.net/EmailRequestForm.asp

Please note that ISTS will not be able to provide applications until Jan. 1, 2009.

To request an application for BNSF Scholarship Application by mail

To request a BNSF scholarship application and brochure, send the following information to the address noted above. Please type or print your request.

• Senior’s name (first name, middle initial, last name)
• Full mailing address
• Home telephone number
• E-mail address

BNSF Headquarters

For more information on the company and its transportation solutions, visit the BNSF Web site at www.bnsf.com