SBAA Scholarship Information
& Application
Before you apply . . .
✔ Please read the descriptions and requirements for each scholarship carefully.
✔ It is recommended that you gather all items needed for submission before beginning the online application.
✔ You may apply for more than one scholarship. Please be sure to submit essays for ALL applicable scholarships in your application.
✔ You will be able save and continue your application if needed.
✔ The Financial Need Form and Signature Page can be downloaded below.
✔ Immediate family members of the SBAA Board of Trustees are not eligible for these scholarships.
✔ The Scholarship Application begins at the bottom of this page.
The scholarship application and all supporting documents must be submitted by April 15, 2024 at 11:59 p.m.
Connie S. Varga Scholarship
Connie S. Varga graduated from LaSalle High School in 1975, and at 18 years of age began her employment at Teachers Credit Union (now Everwise Credit Union). She was employed at TCU for 47 years as the longest tenured employee and served as the Executive Director Corporate of Communications. Connie married her best friend, Randy Varga and together they built a beautiful family with two children and several grandchildren. Connie lived with selfless and unconditional love for others, especially her family and nothing brought her more joy than spending time with them. She was also committed to serving others, and was a devoted and cherished board member of the South Bend Alumni Association for 14 years. She was a fierce advocate of our mission to support children in the South Bend Community School Corporation. The Connie Varga Scholarship honors Connie’s legacy of service. Connie loved to share the good work being done in SBCSC schools, and this scholarship honors her legacy.
The Connie S. Varga Scholarship recognizes a young woman graduate from a SBCSC school who embodies service, leadership, and academic excellence. This scholarship will afford $5,000 in tuition assistance. Potential recipients should be motivated and directed by a commitment to service and advocacy, aiming to assist others in our community, inspired by Connie’s lasting legacy.
Eligibility requirements:
1. Be a resident of St. Joseph County, Indiana
2. Graduate from an SBCSC school by June of the year of application, possessing a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.3, and be in good academic standing.
3. Identify as a woman
4. Provide acceptance letter as proof towards an associate or bachelor degree through a full-time course of study at an accredited, tax-exempt college or university.
5. Have documented extracurricular activities
6. Provide two letters of recommendation:
- A one-page letter of recommendation from a person in a leadership position in your school who knows you well (e.g. teacher, principal, guidance counselor). This letter should not be from a family member.
- A one-page letter of recommendation from a person in a leadership position in an extra-curricular activity (e.g. coach, faith leader, non-profit leader, club advisor). This letter should not be from a family member.
7. Be of a diverse background.
Items needed for application:
1. Connie S. Varga Scholarship Essay
All applicants must upload a typewritten essay (minimum of 400 words).
Describe a meaningful service experience that has had a profound impact on your personal growth and development. Reflect on your experiences in service and explore how they have influenced the development of your leadership skills. How does your experience resonate with Connie S. Varga’s values? How do you intend to honor and carry forward her legacy of commitment to community service and advocacy?
2. Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
3. High School Transcript
Jack M. Champaigne Scholarship
Jack M. Champaigne graduated from John Adams High School in 1961 and Purdue University BSEE in 1968. He worked for X-Cel controls in South Bend in 1969-1974 and started his own company, Electronics Incorporated, in 1974. He continues his relationship with Purdue as a founding member of the Center for Surface Engineering and Enhancement in the school of Materials Science. As a member of the International Scientific Committee on Shot Peening, he was able to secure the 2025 conference at Purdue. Jack has already established scholarships at Purdue University for Engineering students. He also maintains scholarships at the local Purdue Alumni club of Saint Joseph Valley. Jack is also a generous benefactor in the South Bend community, and has been very involved in supporting the arts and education. He became a board member of the SBAA in 2011, where he started another Purdue Scholarship in 2015. Recipients of SBAA Champaigne Scholarship are selected based upon GPA academic qualifications and are directed to students attending Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana with preference given to those in engineering studies.
The Jack M. Champaigne Scholarship recognizes a talented and deserving SBCSC graduate. To be eligible, this student must attend Purdue University. This scholarship will afford $5,000 in tuition assistance. Interested students should be inspired by innovative thought that positively impacts our community, drawing motivation from Jack Champaigne’s legacy of forward-thinking in service of others.
Eligibility requirements:
1. Be a resident of St. Joseph County, Indiana
2. Graduate from an SBCSC school by June of the year of application
3. Provide acceptance letter as proof towards a bachelor degree through a full-time course of study at Purdue University
4. Have documented extracurricular activities
5. Provide two letters of recommendation:
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A one-page letter of recommendation from a person in a leadership position in your school who knows you well (e.g. teacher, principal, guidance counselor). This letter should not be from a family member.
-
A one-page letter of recommendation from a person in a leadership position in an extra-curricular activity (e.g. coach, faith leader, non-profit leader, club advisor). This letter should not be from a family member.
Items needed for application:
1. Jack M. Champaigne Scholarship Essay
All applicants must upload a typewritten essay (minimum of 400 words).
Describe your experiences in various projects, volunteer work, or internships where you discovered and harnessed your talent for innovation. Reflect on specific instances, challenges faced, and the creative solutions you implemented. Consider how the unique education offered at Purdue University, known for its emphasis on innovation and cutting-edge research, will amplify your ability to create positive change in the future, furthering Jack M. Champaigne’s legacy of innovation, commitment to philanthropy, and community service.
2. Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
3. High School Transcript
South Bend Alumni Association Scholarship
The South Bend Alumni Association was founded in 1985 as the South Bend School Boosters for the sole purpose of saving the School Field Complex from demolition. It was determined that there were opportunities to support the South Bend Community School Corporation in areas that were not funded by tax dollars. As we changed the name to South Bend Alumni Association, our mission continued to support co-curricular and extracurricular activities, while promoting community service to all SBCSC students. The mission of the SBAA is to support all students in the SBCSC by providing equitable financial assistance toward extracurricular activities; helping students succeed in school and become civic-minded individuals.
The SBAA Scholarship recognizes a SBCSC graduate who demonstrates the potential and the commitment to advance the SBAA mission of building civic-minded individuals. This scholarship will afford $5,000 in tuition assistance. Potential recipients should show excellence academically and be guided by extracurricular activities that have helped others in our community, with hopes of building a better community in the present and in the future.
Eligibility requirements:
1. Be a resident of St. Joseph County, Indiana
2. Graduate from an SBCSC school by June of the year of application; possessing a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and be in good academic standing
3. Provide acceptance letter as proof towards an associate or bachelor degree through a full-time course of study at an accredited, tax-exempt college or university
4. Have documented extracurricular activities
5. Provide two letters of recommendation:
-
A one-page letter of recommendation from a person in a leadership position in your school who knows you well (e.g. teacher, principal, guidance counselor). This letter should not be from a family member.
-
A one-page letter of recommendation from a person in a leadership position in an extra-curricular activity (e.g. coach, faith leader, non-profit leader, club advisor). This letter should not be from a family member.
Items needed for application:
1. South Bend Alumni Association Scholarship Essay
All applicants must upload a typewritten essay (minimum of 400 words).
Reflecting on your high school experience, discuss the significance of extracurricular activities in your personal development. Share a specific extracurricular that inspired or changed you, elaborating on how your experience altered your perspective of yourself and influenced your vision for the future. Additionally, consider the mission of the South Bend Alumni Association (SBAA) in supporting extracurricular activity involvement while promoting community service. How does your understanding of this mission resonate with your own experiences and align with your aspirations for building a better community?
2. Two (2) Letters of Recommendation
3. High School Transcript
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