JLB Academic Scholarship

About the JLB Academic Scholarship

Junior League of Birmingham (JLB) believes investing in education is one of the most meaningful ways to develop future leaders and strengthen our community.

Originally established in the 1930s in honor of Mrs. Harold L. Bissell, the scholarship fund was re-established in 2012 as part of the Junior League of Birmingham’s 90th Anniversary celebration. Since then, the JLB Academic Scholarship has provided financial assistance to deserving women pursuing higher education while recognizing their commitment to leadership, service, and community involvement.

In 2014, the scholarship was renamed from the JLB Memorial Scholarship to the JLB Academic Scholarship to better reflect its purpose and impact.

The JLB Academic Scholarship is awarded annually and is non-renewable. The number of recipients selected each year varies based on available funding. Scholarship awards typically range from $1,000 to $2,500.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for a JLB Academic Scholarship, applicants must:

  • Be a current resident of Jefferson or Shelby County.
  • Be enrolled, or plan to enroll, as a full-time or part-time student at an accredited public or private two-year or four-year college, university, or vocational/technical school for the upcoming academic year.
  • Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher based on their most recent educational experience.
  • Demonstrate active participation and leadership in community service or community activities.
  • Demonstrate leadership ability and potential for future leadership success.
  • Demonstrate financial need.

Preference for Non-Traditional Students

Preference will be given to non-traditional students, as defined by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Examples of non-traditional student characteristics include:

  • Delaying enrollment in post-secondary education after completing high school.
  • Attending school part-time for any portion of the academic year.
  • Working full-time (35 or more hours per week) while enrolled.
  • Being considered financially independent for financial aid purposes.
  • Having dependents other than a spouse, including children or family members requiring care.
  • Earning a GED or other high school equivalency credential instead of a traditional high school diploma.

Applicants do not need to meet all the above criteria to be considered a non-traditional student.

Application Requirements

To be considered for a JLB Academic Scholarship, applicants must submit:

Required Documents

  • Completed scholarship application.
  • Copy of unofficial transcript(s).
  • Current résumé.

Recommendations

Applicants must submit at least two (2) recommendation forms or letters from eligible references, such as:

  • A current or former teacher.
  • An adult mentor.
  • An individual familiar with the applicant’s community service involvement.
  • A personal acquaintance who can speak to the applicant’s character, leadership, or achievements.

Recommendation Form: (The link to this form will be posted in the fall of 2026.)

Applications that do not include all required materials will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed.

Selection Process

The JLB Academic Scholarship Committee follows the process outlined below:

  1. Scholarship applications must be submitted by January 8, 2027.
  2. Selected finalists will be invited to interview with members of the JLB Academic Scholarship Interview Committee.
  3. Interviews may be conducted in person or virtually.
  4. Scholarship recipients will be notified no later than March 31, 2027.

Questions?

For questions regarding the scholarship application process, please contact the Scholarship Chair at scholarship@jlbonline.com.