Ben B. Cheney Student Athlete Scholarship Program

High School Scholarship History

Ben Cheney had a significant interest in supporting youth and youth athletics through his philanthropy. The Ben B. Cheney Foundation continues his legacy by awarding one scholar athlete from each of the 33 high schools in Pierce County, and one from Ben’s hometown, South Bend, each year.

Since 1976, the Ben B. Cheney Foundation has awarded more than $1.5 million in college scholarships through this program.

This $3,000 scholarship recognizes student athletes with plans to further their education in a not-for-profit vocational and technical school, or a 2- or 4-year college in the United States following graduation. Scholarship funds will be paid directly to the school or college on the student’s behalf the first week of August.

Eligibility

To be eligible for this scholarship, students must:

• Be a high school senior.
• Graduate from an eligible, WIAA recognized high school in Pierce County. (see list below)
• Have plans to attend a not-for-profit vocational and technical school, or a 2- or 4-year college in the United States in the fall following graduation.
• Have a cumulative GPA that meets minimum college requirements.
• Have participated on at least one varsity interscholastic high school sponsored WIAA athletic team in Pierce County. (See list below for WIAA sports. Visit the WIAA website for more information on the difference between sports and activities.)
• Exhibit high qualities of attainment in academics, leadership, character, citizenship, and motivation.
• Be an American citizen.
• Submit a compelling and complete application by March 15.

How to Apply:

1. When the 2023 application period opens in January, 2023, review the application. Make note of the responses requiring a longer written statement.
2. Use a word processing tool to draft the written statement to be sure your response is thorough, compelling, and does not exceed the maximum word count allowed.
3. Enter your information in the fields of your application.
4. Review your email address, mailing address, and phone number for accuracy before submitting your application. Be sure your email and phone number listed will be active after June. (Some school accounts are closed at graduation) This is how we will contact scholarship recipients for notification and processing the scholarship with the school.
5. Complete and submit your online application by March 15, 2023. Incomplete or ineligible applications, and applications received after March 15, 2023 will not be reviewed.

Application Review & Selection:

• School staff review all eligible applications for students in their school during the month of April.
• Selection committees from each school will choose one recipient and one alternate. Applications are scored on athletic participation, academics, leadership, character, citizenship, and motivation.
• Scholarship recipients will be notified by email in early May. Applicants will also receive a hard copy letter by mail. It is important to double-check that your email address, mailing address, and cell phone number are correct in your application so we can reach you.

Timeline:

• Application period for 2022 is closed. The 2023 application period will open in January, 2023.
• Applications due: March 15, 2023
• School review & selection period: April
• Recipient notification: Early May
• Award checks mailed directly to the recipient’s school: The first week of August

Questions?

Please see your school counselor for more information.

WIAA Sports:

Qualifying Schools: