Hearts for Community Service

Scholarship Sponsored by Warrick Dunn Charities

At BK Law Group, we believe a strong work ethic is essential in life. Good things don’t happen by accident. Hard work, dedication, and focus create the best results! While this can take time, delayed gratification can be the most rewarding feeling in the end! Today, people often seek to finish something and want to see results as fast as possible. However, that usually won’t lead to the best possible outcome. If you aren’t willing to stay disciplined and put in the work needed to see a project through, you can’t expect it to be at its fullest potential. Hard work doesn’t come easily. It is a product of forming good habits and having determination.

That is why we proudly announce our annual Strong Work Ethic Scholarship is back for its 5th year! We want to hear about a specific time you utilized your strong work ethic. Tell us what the task was, how you stayed motivated, and what the outcome was. Tell us how the results would have been different had you not persevered through the entire task to see it to its completion. What motivated you to give 110%? We can’t wait to hear your story about the hard work you’ve put into something important to you! The winner will receive $1,000 to put toward their education!

Eligibility

The Strong Work Ethic scholarship is open to any current high school senior, college student, or graduate student who is a legal resident of the United States residing in one of the 50 states or the District of Columbia and enrolled in a two to five-year post-secondary institution.

Employees of BK Law Group, their immediate families (parent, child, sibling, and spouse), and persons living in the same households as such individuals (whether related or not), are not eligible to participate in the competition.

Candidates for this scholarship should have a minimum GPA of 3.0 or higher and be in good overall academic standing.

Application Requirements

Candidates must submit a 750  1,000 word essay response to the prompt: Tell BK Law about a specific time in your life when you utilized your strong work ethic. Tell us what the task was, how you stayed motivated, and what the outcome was.

Please note that all essays will be checked for AI writing. If AI writing is deemed present in the essay, the application will be denied.

Candidates must submit a professional resumé that lists their professional and academic experience.

Candidates must submit an official or unofficial transcript from their current school. First-year college students, graduate students, or individuals who have recently transferred schools may submit an unofficial transcript from their current school and the most recent official transcript from their prior school. High school students must also submit proof of acceptance to their college or university.

BK Law will choose the recipient of the Strong Work Ethic Scholarship during the month following the scholarship deadline.

Application Deadline and Instructions:

To be eligible for this scholarship, candidates must submit their application by July 31, 2025. Any applications sent after this date will not be considered.

Applicant Criteria

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Have a minimum GPA of 2.75 on a 4.0 grading scale (equivalent GED scores accepted)
• Be of service as a volunteer in your local community
• Attending or soon to be attending a post-secondary school, including associate, undergraduate, graduate, professional, or doctoral program
• Be a resident of Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, or Wisconsin.

What should be included in my letters of recommendation?

Each applicant is required to submit two (2) letters of recommendation showing proof of volunteer community service. Recommendation letters should be written by someone from an organization for which you currently volunteer or have previously volunteered with and should illustrate examples of your volunteer service as well as the impact your service has had in the local community. Each recommendation letter should answer the following three (3) questions:

• How long has the student been a volunteer with your organization?
• What are some of the volunteer roles this student has played within your organization?
• What impact has the student’s volunteerism had on the community members you serve?
• What information do I need for my application?

In addition to basic family and demographic information, applicants will need to provide the following:

• Two (2) letters of recommendation showing proof of volunteer community service. Recommendation letters should be written by someone from an organization for which you currently volunteer or have previously volunteered with and should illustrate examples of your volunteer service as well as the impact your service has had in the local community.
• An email address and direct phone number for each reference must be included
• Proof of enrollment in a post-secondary institution
• Proof of residency (driver’s license or government-issued ID) in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, or Wisconsin.
• A copy of your most recent transcript
• A minimum 500-word essay

What should be included in my essay?

Each applicant is required to submit a minimum 500-word essay answering all of the following:

• Describe how you are of service and the positive impact it has made on your community.
• How has volunteering in your community had an impact on your life?
• How will this scholarship assist in furthering your education?
• What does the opportunity to receive a post-secondary education mean to you?