Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible?

Eligible students must be from one of the 18 counties listed below. Current high school seniors or current undergraduate students may apply for the scholarship. The Foundation recognizes colleges and universities accredited by one of the six regional accreditation agencies, such as SACS.

What test scores and GPA do I need?

Although standardized test scores do not solely reflect academic merit, the scholarship committee does note SAT and/or ACT scores when evaluating applications. Please keep in mind that the scholarship committee considers all aspects of the student's application.

The Foundation will combine a student's highest subscores from each test.

Please make sure that all of your test scores are included in your application materials. The Foundation accepts copies of your student score report.

Copies of ACT or SAT are not required for current college students.

Please know that Watson-Brown recipients must maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA to renew the scholarship. This GPA is necessary for eligibility.

Which application do I complete?

All applicants who have never received a Watson-Brown scholarship must complete the online scholarship application for First-Time Applicants. Please make sure your application is submitted online by February 15. A confirmation email will be sent immediately after successful application submission.

What do I need to include?

1) High School and/or College Transcript: Please submit a copy of official high school transcript. If available, make sure that SAT and/or ACT scores are listed on the transcript. If you are currently enrolled in college, please submit a current college transcript. Current college students do not have to submit high school transcripts; however, the Foundation may request them under certain circumstances.

2) SAT and /or ACT Scores: If they are not listed on your high school transcript please include a copy of your student score report. you may print a copy of the online score report.

3) Letters of Recommendation: The Foundation wants to know what others have to say about you. Please submit two letters of recommendation from teachers/professors, religious leaders, coaches, employers, or others who have important roles in your life. Keep in mind that one recommendation must be from your school. It is wise to choose someone who knows you best and who can take the time to write a descriptive letter. NEW F0r 2013-2014: You may now choose to request to have your letters of recommendation sent through our online system. Once you've begun you scholarship application, when you log back in you will see the Letters of Recommendation menu.

4) IRS Form 1040 or 1040 EZ: If you are considered a dependent and are listed on your parent's tax forms, please enclose a copy of their tax forms. If there is a reason you cannot provide these forms, please explain in the Financial Need Statement section of the application or include a written statement with your other mailed supporting documents.

You may submit 2011 tax forms if 2012 forms are not available. If submitting 2011 forms please explain any significant income change and include an estimate of current income.

Financial information is confidential and used by the office to estimate financial need; however, feel free to black out or remove the social security numbers. The documents will be destroyed 60 days after scholarships are awarded.

Please send all documents in ONE envelope to:

Director of Scholarships
310 Tom Watson Way
Thomson, GA 30824

To be completed or submitted with the on-line scholarship application:

1) Essay: The essay not only demonstrates your writing ability but also conveys your personality and other qualities previously not listed on the application. The essay portrays the student beyond test scores and GPA. Many college applications require essays. You may choose one of the essay topics listed on the online application.

If applicable, you may submit an essay that you have written for college admission. However, make sure that it falls within our scholarship application parameters (i.e. 500 word limit). 

If uploading your essay to the online application, please include your full name at the top of the document.

2) Financial Need Statement: The cost of college is a financial burden to most families. Although the Foundation asks for specific income information on the application, please include any family circumstance that may affect your family’s ability to pay for college. Losses of job, death of parent, medical expenses, or having other siblings in college are all examples. This information is important during the application evaluation process. Please be as specific as possible.

Where do other scholars attend college?

Scholarship recipients may attend any 4-year non-profit accredited institution in the United States. The only 2-year college exception is Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton, Georgia. Please keep in mind that the Foundation only recognizes the main regional accrediting agencies as viable (example: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools). Currently, Watson-Brown Scholars attend over 140 institutions across the country!

 

When will students be notified of scholarship decisions?

Decision letters will be mail from the Watson-Brown Foundation’s Thomson, Georgia, office on April 15 of each year.

What are the renewal guidelines?

The Watson-Brown Foundation Scholarship is renewable up to your first four years (eight semesters) of undergraduate studies. The Foundation does not fund additional semesters or fifth year seniors. If you were attending college when the scholarship was initially awarded, you may not be eligible for the full eight semesters of scholarship funding. For example, a college sophomore who has attended college for two years will only be eligible for two years of funding. All scholarships are renewed on a semester basis. Please contact the Foundation if you have questions about your eligibility.

 

To renew the Watson-Brown Foundation Scholarship, you agree to:
Maintain a 3.0 cumulative GPA (3.5 for the $5000 level scholarship). If a 3.0 is not met, please continue to send the Foundation your grades at the end of each semester. Your scholarship may be reinstated if your grades improve.

Take a full course load (12 credit hours). The Watson-Brown Foundation will only award funding if you maintain at least 12 credit hours. Notify the Foundation immediately if you plan to drop below 12 credit hours.

At the completion of the Fall semester, complete the Online Renewal Form and upload your transcript/grade report. Scholarship checks will be sent to colleges in early January.

Complete the Watson-Brown Foundation Scholarship Renewal Form at the end of the Spring semester and upload your transcript/grade report.  Notify the Foundation office of a change of address and email address (email is our main form of communication).

Fall renewal deadline is June 1 and Spring renewal deadline is January 1 (but preferably before the Holiday Break).

Please notify the Foundation office if you transfer colleges or plan to study abroad. The Watson-Brown scholarship may help fund study abroad and/or other special educational programs (depending on your college’s policy). However, the scholarship amount will not increase for these purposes.