M. Verna Butterer Educational Trust

Scholarship/Loan Program

for Bucks County Residents

Annual Awards up to $16,000 to Bucks County Residents Who Show Need

Available for any post High School education
Awards are renewable for four years
One half of the award is a scholarship / gift. One half of the award is an interest free loan.
Loan repayment is due within five years of graduation or five years from final funding, whichever comes first

Deadline for Submission is March 15.

This Scholarship is in Memory of

Verna McClary Butterer

A devoted and active Soroptimist during all of her adult life, Verna was a charter member of the Bucks County club formed in 1938. She became president in 1943 and served as regional treasurer from 1970-1974. In 1987 she was appointed regional historian, a position she occupied until her death in 1993.

Many people think of women’s liberation and women’s achievements as only recent events. Vema’s life and achievements belie that notion. A “self-made” business woman Verna reached out to women through Soroptimism, sharing the learning and growth of Soroptimist membership and helping those in need.

Her giving continues on even now. A firm believer in the importance of education, she made provisions through her estate to establish the M. Verna Butterer Educational Trust. The trust is jointly administered by the trustees and the Soroptimist International of Bucks County.

The M. Verna Butterer Educational Trust offers a combination scholarship and interest free loan to Bucks County residents that demonstrate financial need and want to pursue post high school education. A recipient of a scholarship/loan may be eligible for up to four years of funding for attendance at colleges, universities, technical schools. nursing schools and other post secondary institutions located within the U.S. The maximum annual award may not exceed $16,000.00, indexed for inflation. The loan portion of the award is 50% of the total annual award and requires a promissory note be signed annually. Each promissory note must be repaid within five years after graduation without interest.

It is the intention and purpose of the trust to recognize Bucks County students who have demonstrated a financial need achieve a post secondary education in their chosen fields.

Hints For Non-Traditional Students

Many of the applicants applying for the M. Verna Butterer Educational Trust Scholarship/loan are non-traditional students. They are not graduating from high school in the Spring and are presently attending colleges, post graduate studies, and even doctoral degrees. Some are individuals who have been out of high school or college for many years and are going back to school to pursue or complete a degree.

Non-traditional students have various difficulties in completing the application which is geared towards the graduating high school senior. Please be assured that you do qualify for this scholarship if you are a Bucks County resident (US Citizen) and show a financial need in order to pursue a post high school degree. The applicant must attend an accredited program full-time.

To assist the selection committee and to provide them with all of the required items and numbers they need, the following list may be helpful to you.

If you are presently attending college, include a copy of your college transcript
Three recommendations are necessary so if you are not in school presently, use an employer or instructor recommendation
The institution you are or will be attending has access to the FAFSA Application. It is necessary to fill out the application and provide the results which is in the form of a SAR (in the form of a FAFSA Submission Summary) and which reflects the all important SAI (Student Aid Index). A need cannot be established.

If you are presently attending college, graduate or doctoral work, attach a copy of the previous year’s financial package and a copy of the previous semester’s invoice for tuition, room or board. If you have applied to an institution, enter the tuition, room and board on the front of the application
If there are specific facts pertinent to your application, attach a written note that would make the selection committee aware of these special situations
For activities and community services, list your accomplishments in the last four years
Remember that the more pertinent information you provide about your present status, the more helpful it will be to the selection committee

FAQs

Q: Can I send referral letters separate from the application?
Yes.

Q: Can I email the application and/or referral letters?
No. We do not accept emails with attachments.

Q: When is the application due?
March 15

Q: I do not know what college I will be attending.
Provide as much correct information for tuition and board estimates as you can for the schools you have applied to. Do not include fees.

Testimonials

“My husband and I are very grateful that Shane was awarded this scholarship. Shane also wanted to let you know how appreciative he has been”. “My name is Shane K. And I was one of your recipients in 2011.I wanted to express my gratitude for receiving the award, and all the opportunities that I’ve had because I was able to afford higher education…” – Karen A.K.

“I just want to thank and reiterate how much I appreciate the trust providing me with this scholarship throughout my four years at the University. The grant and loan portions of my scholarship have both immensely helped me reduce my out of pocket expenses in the short and long term. Maintaining my enrollment at University would have been a greater struggle if not for this scholarship as I would have to borrow significantly more money…” – Nick O.