P. Buckley Moss Endowed Scholarship

Scholarship Sponsored by P. Buckley Moss Foundation

Introduction
This scholarship honors artist P. Buckley Moss’s lifelong commitment to students who learn differently — a commitment rooted in her own struggles with dyslexia. It supports graduating high school seniors with language-related learning differences who plan to pursue careers in the visual arts.

Background
The P. Buckley Moss Society created an endowed scholarship in 2006 with a $20,000 founding gift; the first award was made in 2007. The Society itself was formed in 1987 by collectors to increase awareness of Moss’s art and to carry out charitable work consistent with her values. For more information about the Society, visit http://mosssociety.org.

Award Details
- One scholarship of up to $1,000 is awarded annually to a graduating high school senior pursuing a visual arts career.
- Award payments are sent directly to the recipient’s college and applied toward tuition.
- The scholarship may be renewed for up to three consecutive years if the recipient continues to meet eligibility requirements. The annual award amount may fluctuate.

Application period and deadline
- Applications are accepted January 1 through March 31.
- All application materials must be postmarked by March 31.

Eligibility requirements (applicants must meet all of the following)
1. Have a verified language-related learning difference.
2. Be a graduating high school senior.
3. Demonstrate financial need.
4. Be accepted to an accredited four-year college, university, or two-year community college in the United States.
5. Be planning a career in a visual arts field and enroll in art classes each semester.

Definitions and verification details
- Language-related learning difference: This scholarship is intended for students with difficulties in specific language processing (for example, dyslexia, written expression, reading comprehension, central auditory processing, visual perception, word recognition, sequencing). A case manager or school counselor must provide verification of diagnosis and progress in a letter (see application checklist). Students whose only diagnosis is ADD or ADHD are not eligible. Do not submit an IEP in lieu of the required verification letter.
- Financial need: Provide the parents’ most recent IRS Form 1040 (cross out Social Security numbers).
- Visual arts: Eligible disciplines are primarily visual in nature (examples: ceramics, drawing, painting, sculpture, architecture, printmaking, photography). The following are not eligible: performing arts (dance, music, opera, drama, spoken word, circus arts), most filmmaking unless the applicant was the primary creative force (e.g., director), and applied arts (industrial design, graphic design, fashion design, interior design).

Selection and privacy
The P. Buckley Moss Foundation for Children’s Education manages the endowed fund. A Foundation board committee will choose the recipient. Applicant information is kept confidential. The selection committee reserves the right not to make an award in any year if a qualified candidate is not identified.

Application checklist — materials to include (all items must be in one mailing)
Mail everything together so it is postmarked by March 31 to:
P. Buckley Moss Foundation
74 Poplar Grove Lane
Mathews, VA 23109

Required materials:
- Four (4) copies of the completed P. Buckley Moss Endowed Scholarship Application Form.
- A verification letter (maximum two pages) from your case manager or counselor describing diagnostic findings and progress; do not send an IEP.
- High school transcript (unofficial copy accepted).
- Two letters of recommendation: one from a school faculty member and one from a non-relative who knows you outside of school.
- Parents’ most recent Form 1040 with Social Security numbers redacted (for financial need verification).
- Printed portfolio of 4–6 photographs showing your visual art work.
- Essay responses to the three prompts below (be specific and persuasive):
1) Choose three words that best describe you and provide concrete examples demonstrating each quality.
2) Describe your diagnosed language-related learning difference, the challenges it has presented, strategies you have used to manage it, and the impact on your life.
3) Indicate which college you plan to attend and why, and explain how you intend to use your artistic abilities (where do you see yourself in 10 years with your art?).
- A copy of the college acceptance letter.

Questions about the program may be directed to the P. Buckley Moss Foundation at the address above.