Scholarship Opportunities

The Ken and Jan Ziegler Bridging the Gap Scholarship was created to help close the gap for first time entering freshman, when a lack of financial aid assistance leaves students relying on loans or paying out-of-pocket.  This scholarship helps assist these students in completing their desired career certificate or degree.

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• High school graduate from Randolph County
• Complete 15 credit hours
• 2.5 cumulative GPA
• Student must be ineligible for full Pell grant
• Maximum of 4 semesters OR completion of the declared major, whichever occurs first

Award Amount

• $2,000 First semester
• Full tuition and fees the remaining three semesters

The Keith Sutton Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of Keith Sutton by his friends and wife, Stephanie. 

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Complete minimum of 12 credit hours per semester (fulltime student)
• Recipient must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Award Amount

• $1,000 for the fall and spring semesters

About Keith Sutton

Mayor Keith Sutton, a proud graduate of Pocahontas High School in 1982, set off on a journey of community service and entrepreneurship. After attending Arkansas State University, he went into the body shop business, starting in a family garage and eventually establishing Auto Efx. For three decades, his dedication to auto body repair and community involvement made him a pillar of Pocahontas.

In 2018, Mayor Sutton transitioned from business owner to public servant when he was elected Mayor of Pocahontas. Throughout his mayoral term, which lasted until December 24, 2023, he tirelessly worked to improve the lives of his fellow citizens, particularly the youth. His passion for the community was evident in his efforts to provide opportunities for young people, from establishing a shooting range to coaching youth football teams.

Outside of his professional and political endeavors, Sutton cherished his family. He married his wife, Stephanie, in 1984, and together they raised two sons, Bradley and Parker. Stephanie, a long-time dedicated member of Black River Technical College's Foundation Board, shared Keith's commitment to serving others.

Despite his passing in December 2023, Mayor Keith Sutton's legacy lives on in the hearts of those he touched, remembered as a man who loved Pocahontas and its youth. He embodied the spirit of dedication, compassion and community service, leaving a lasting mark on his beloved hometown.

The Keith Ward Memorial FFA Scholarship was created in memory of Keith Ward by his wife and daughters.

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Must be an agriculture, welding, auto body, or auto service major
• Must be a Randolph County resident
• May be enrolled full-time or part-time

Award Amount

• $500 for the fall and spring semesters

About Keith Ward

Mr. Ward was a 1969 Pocahontas High School graduate and was FFA president when he graduated that year. The Wards were also the 2008 Randolph County Farm Family of the Year. Mr. Ward and his family were longtime farmers. He was also an Oak Ridge Central school board member for ten years and a longtime Oak Ridge Central PTA member and president.

The L.A. Hayes Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of L.A. Hayes by his wife Brenda and family. 

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Complete minimum of 12 credit hours per semester (fulltime student)
• Recipient must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Randolph County student
• Pursuing a technical degree including a technical business degree such as computer science and I.T.
• Awarded 

Award Amount

• $1,875 for 4 semesters as long as student maintains GPA

About L.A. Hayes

L.A. loved life and lived it to the fullest.  He enjoyed spending time with family and friends.  L.A. was married to Brenda Hayes and they had two children, Lance and Leigh Hayes, and a bonus child, Rhonda Hayes.

The Larry Baker family created the Leondus and Gladys Brown Baker Memorial Scholarship in memory of Larry Baker’s parents, Leondus and Gladys Brown Baker. The Baker family members are long-time Dalton-area residents. 

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• First priority goes to Dalton-area residents, 2nd priority goes to Randolph County residents, final priority goes to other students
• May be enrolled fulltime or part-time
• Students must have a minimum of a 2.75 GPA

Award Amount

• $200 for the fall

The Merle R. Young Memorial Scholarship celebrates a man who was a great support to not only BRTC but to his community and his family.  He was one of the founding members of the BRTC Foundation, its first chairman, and both his children and grandchildren have been employees of the College.

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Must be currently enrolled in BRTC’s RN program.
• Past recipients may not reapply.
• 300-word essay on your financial need, submitted to the Dean of Nursing and Allied Health
• Selection committee will be composed of nursing faculty

Award Amount

• $300 to an RN student for the summer

The Mrs. Jenkins GED Scholarship was established with the purpose of encouraging GED students to pursue a career and advance in the workforce.  Kenneth, owner of Jenkins Welding, and Willa Jenkins’, a long-time Randolph County educator, children graduated from the BRTC welding and nursing programs. 

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Must be a graduate of the Pocahontas GED program
• Preference to welding and nursing students
• May be enrolled fulltime
• Fall recipient may receive the spring award if they maintain a 3.0 GPA
• Students must have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA

Award Amount

• $200 for each fall and spring semesters

The National Board for Respiratory Care (NBRC) proudly supports BRTC students. 

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Full- and part-time students are eligible
• Recipient must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Must be enrolled in the respiratory care program
• Must be awarded during the calendar year of 2025

Award Amount

• $1,000

Overman Buildings, Inc., proudly supports BRTC students. 

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Complete minimum of 12 credit hours per semester (fulltime student)
• Recipient must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Award Amount

• $1,000 for the fall and spring semesters

BRTC Paragould educators, staff, and community members collectively donate to this scholarship to support local students struggling for financial support to help them with their education. This Paragould scholarship is available for all Paragould site credit and workforce students. 

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Complete minimum of 12 credit hours per semester (fulltime student)
• Recipient must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Academic Student

• Currently enrolled as a full-time student in at least 1 Paragould traditional site class
• Must reapply for each semester in which they are eligible
• Only scholarship applications completed in full will be considered
• Students receiving other scholarship funds or Federal Pell Grants are eligible for this scholarship
• Must maintain GPA of 2.0 or higher

Paragould Workforce Student

• Currently enrolled in at least one Paragould Program comprising of more than 18 hours
• Student must reapply for each semester in which they are eligible
• Only scholarship applications completed in full will be considered
• Students receiving other scholarship funds or Grants are eligible for this scholarship

Submission Requirements

• Complete application form
• Submit with 250-word typed essay
• Academic students must submit an unofficial transcript or degree audit
• Workforce students must submit a registration form/course application

Award Amount

• $250

Peco Foods, Inc., proudly supports BRTC students. 

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Complete minimum of 12 credit hours per semester (fulltime student)
• Recipient must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Award Amount

• $1,000 for the fall and spring semesters

The Phillip Collins, II, and Beth Collins-Bagwell Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of Phil and Carolyn Collins' children, Beth Collins-Bagwell and Phillip Collins, II. Carolyn was a long-time BRTC employee and served as Business Division Chair, Director of Financial Aid, and interim Vice President of Student Service.  She also served more than 3 terms as a trustee on the BRTC Board of Trustees.

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Complete minimum of 12 credit hours per semester (fulltime student)
• Recipient must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Arkansas resident

Award Amount

• $1,000 for the fall and spring semesters
• Non-renewable

Pocahontas Aluminum proudly supports BRTC students by offering the Pocahontas Aluminum Scholarship. 

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Complete minimum of 12 credit hours per semester (fulltime student)
• Recipient must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Must be in a technical program

Award Amount

• $1,000 for the fall and spring semesters

ProMed Ambulance, Inc., proudly supports BRTC students. 

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Complete minimum of 12 credit hours per semester (fulltime student)
• Recipient must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Randolph County residents receive 1st priority, Lawrence County residents receive 2nd priority, other areas receive 3rd priority

Award Amount

• $500

ProMed Ambulance, Inc., proudly supports BRTC students. 

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Complete minimum of 12 credit hours per semester (fulltime student)
• Recipient must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Randolph County residents receive 1st priority, Lawrence County residents receive 2nd priority, other areas receive 3rd priority

Award Amount

• $1,000 for the fall and spring semesters

Proventus proudly supports BRTC students.  As officers and veterans of the United States Navy Seals, Proventus offers their scholarships memory of a lost U.S. veteran or enlisted member.

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Complete minimum of 12 credit hours per semester (fulltime student)
• Recipient must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Award Amount

• $1,000 for the fall and spring semesters

About Chief Petty Officer John W. Faas

According to Veteran Tributes,

John Faas was born on October 31, 1979, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy on September 21, 1998, and went on active duty to begin basic training on September 14, 1999. After completing basic training at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois, in November 1999, he attended Information Systems Technician School at NTC Great Lakes from November 1999 to March 2000, followed by Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training at NAB Coronado from April 2000 to January 2001. Petty Officer Faas attended Jump School at Fort Benning, Georgia, in February and March 2001, and then completed SEAL Qualification Training at NAB Coronado in June 2001. His first assignment was with SEAL Team EIGHT at NAB Little Creek, Virginia, from July 2001 to April 2005, followed by service with Naval Special Warfare Development Group (DEVGRU) at Dam Neck, Virginia, from April 2005 until he was killed in action when the CH-47 Chinook helicopter he was aboard was shot down in Afghanistan on August 6, 2011. While serving with SEAL Team EIGHT, Petty Officer Faas deployed to Stuttgart, Germany, with Naval Special Warfare Unit TWO from October 2002 to January 2003, to the Horn of Africa with Naval Special Warfare Unit THREE from April to July 2003, and to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom during 2004 and 2005. He also later deployed with DEVGRU to Afghanistan and to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom multiple times. He was buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

His 3rd (of 4) Bronze Star Medal w/Valor Citation reads:

For heroic achievement in connection with combat operations against the enemy as an Assault Team Member for a Joint Task Force in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM on 17 March 2010. On this date, Chief Petty Officer Faas was part of a ground force element that executed a daring nighttime raid against a heavily armed enemy commander. While attempting to engage a barricaded fighter hidden inside the target building, one of Chief Petty Officer Faas' teammates was struck and mortally wounded by enemy fire, causing him to fall directly in front of the barricaded insurgent's position. With complete disregard for his safety, Chief Petty Officer Faas fought his way into the courtyard to a position within feet of the barricaded shooter where he engaged the enemy with grenades and life saving cover fire, enabling his teammates to move the wounded assaulter to safety. Resolved to ensure the enemy fighter was eliminated, Chief Petty Officer Faas remained in the compound as the barricaded enemy continued unleashing volleys of sporadic fire. He bravely held his ground and continued engaging the enemy at point blank range until the decision was made to extract the assault force. His heroic bravery during intense combat operations is an inspiration to all shoe serve with him. By his extraordinary guidance, zealous initiative, and total dedication to duty, Chief Petty Officer Faas reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Regions Bank proudly supports BRTC students. 

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Complete minimum of 12 credit hours per semester (fulltime student)
• Recipient must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Award Amount

• $1,000 for the fall and spring semesters

The Rick Bozwell Memorial Scholarship was created in memory of Rick Bozwell by the Pocahontas Knights of Columbus.  

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Recipient must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
• First-time entering freshman
• Major in agriculture on the Pocahontas campus OR be enrolled in an agriculture class for the semester in which the scholarship is received
• Full or part-time BRTC student

Award Amount

• $500 for the fall and spring semesters
• Students are ineligible after 2 semesters of awards

About Rick Bozwell

He was a graduate of Sloan Hendrix High School.  Rick and Rita were faithful members of St. Paul Catholic Church and big supporters of youth and anything related to agriculture. They were growers of huge gardens and loved to share fresh produce. They also were caretakers of livestock and members of the local antique tractor club. Their love of kids, land, and nature were present in the daily lives of this humble couple.

The Pocahontas Knights of Columbus members “pray and hope this scholarship is helpful in advancing the love and devotion of agriculture in the recipient.”

Sandhill Dentistry proudly supports BRTC students. 

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Complete minimum of 12 credit hours per semester (fulltime student)
• Recipient must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Award Amount

• $1,000 for the fall and spring semesters

The Scotty Burgess EMT/Paramedic Scholarship was created in Scotty's memory by his family to help support students going into the EMT and paramedic fields.

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Complete minimum of 12 credit hours per semester (fulltime student)
• Recipient must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Randolph County residents or high school graduates receive 1st priority, other students receive 2nd priority

Award Amount

• $250 for the fall and spring semesters

About Scott Burgess

Scotty Ray Burgess was a longtime Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in Randolph and surrounding counties before working in industrial construction as an industrial site safety professional. As an industrial safety professional, Scotty analyzed industrial working environments for potential hazards in order to improve the safety of the facility to workers. He spent 20 years traveling across the United States improving the working environment of industrial employees.

Scotty was married to LeAnne Burgess for 25 years. They lived in Pocahontas with their children Jessica, Savanna, and Tyler. After a 30-year battle with diabetes, 7 of them enduring kidney failure, Scotty received a kidney transplant in 2017. In December 2020, Scotty lost his battle with COVID-19.

BRTC's Student Government Association (SGA) proudly supports BRTC students. 

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Complete minimum of 12 credit hours per semester (fulltime student)
• Recipient must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Award Amount

• $1,000 for the fall and spring semesters

The Sylvia Cagle Single Parent Scholarship is provided by Darrell Cagle in honor of his mother, Sylvia, who raised him while being a single mother. 

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Must be a Randolph County resident
• Must be a single parent, male or female
• Past Sylvia Cagle Single Parent Scholarship recipients may apply
• Must be a non-traditional student
• The recipient will be chosen by lottery draw

Award Amount

• $500 for the fall and spring semesters

The Candy Emporium proudly supports BRTC students with a scholarship in memory of Marty Powers.

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Complete minimum of 12 credit hours per semester (fulltime student)
• Recipient must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Award Amount

• $1,000 for the fall and spring semesters

About Marty Powers

Marty Powers was the son of Jeri Powers and Steve and Kathy Powers.  He is the brother of BRTC Vice President of Institutional Advancement Karen Liebhaber.  Marty, who attended Pocahontas High School, was killed in a car accident in March 1993, his senior year.  That fall, Steve created a scholarship through the at Black River Technical College Foundation in his memory. The scholarship lasted for 5 years.

In 2023, Jeri Powers, Marty's mother who owns The Candy Emporium in Nashville, Indiana, resumed the scholarship.  The scholarship is managed by the BRTC Foundation of which Karen, his sister, is the ED.

Marty was very active, loved math, was president of his high school's Physics Club, played trumpet and guitar, and liked to skateboard in his free time.  He was considering going to California in the summer to fight the wildfires that were raging in 1993 then enter college or the Marine Corps.

Tri-State Truck Center proudly supports BRTC students. 

Requirements

• Acceptance for admissions at BRTC
• Complete the FAFSA application
• Complete the scholarship application
• Complete minimum of 12 credit hours per semester (fulltime student)
• Recipient must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

Award Amount

• $1,000 for the fall and spring semesters