Funds for scholarships are raised from sales of the Bridger Bowl License plates, targeted fundraising initiatives, donor-directed funds, and other sources. BSF makes it a priority to raise funds for, and give out as many scholarships as possible in a given year.
Scholarships are available for Bridger Ski Foundation youth programs (Intro, Devo, Comp, PG) in several categories:
51% of all general scholarship funds available in a given year will be available for need-based financial scholarships. These scholarships are to assist Bridger Ski Foundation skiers whose participation requires financial support beyond what their families can supply. 49% of all general scholarship funds available in a given year will be available for Achievement, Sportsmanship, and Senior Scholarships. (These numbers don't include the Soren Joseph Hartnett Legacy Scholarship Fund, which is managed independently.)
Eligible skiers: those enrolled (or planning to enroll) in any of BSF's Intro, Devo, Comp, or PG programs.
The Scholarship Committee is appointed by the Executive Director and made up of five persons: one BSF Board Member, the Executive Director, and three outside individuals who are not employees or board members of BSF. The Scholarship Committee is charged with management and oversight of the Scholarship Program. Need-based financial scholarships are decided on by the three outside parties on the committee. (i.e. your financial information will not be seen by any coaches or current parents of BSF athletes). All applications are confidential and your information is shredded after scholarships are announced.
Registered participants may apply starting in September for need-based financial scholarships. Application deadline is October 14, 2022. For these scholarships, the ability of the family to pay program-related fees will be factored based on data supplied by the applicant’s parents, which will determine if the applicant is income-eligible by meeting the criteria for federal financial aid. (See button at top of page to download application.)
Criteria for consideration:
Scholarship Selection Committee & Process: The three outside parties on the committee are charged with selecting need-based financial scholarship recipients based on certain criteria. The three outside committee members will review the need-based financial applications once the deadline has passed and make selections. Applicants will be notified by email no later than November 30, 2022. Awarded scholarship funds will be credited to the athlete’s account to be applied to program and event fees.
The Soren Joseph Hartnett Legacy Scholarship Fund offers a variety of scholarships to U14-U20 Nordic athletes who are registered in programs through the Bridger Ski Foundation or Crosscut. Scholarships are awarded twice per year, first in June and again in November. Applications are reviewed by Doug Hartnett, Mary O’Rourke and the Program Directors of BSF and Crosscut.
Program Scholarships: Program scholarships are applied directly to BSF or Crosscut program fees. Scholarships range from $500 - $2000 and will be paid directly to BSF or Crosscut to offset the cost of tuition. Application Deadline is June 1st with scholarships awarded on June 15th.
Athlete Need Scholarships: Need-based scholarships are paid directly to the athlete with the intention of being used to purchase equipment or offset costs associated with race trips or camps. Scholarships range from $500 - $1000. Application deadline is November 1st with scholarships awarded on November 15th.
Application Process: To apply for a Soren Hartnett Legacy Scholarship, please submit the following information along with a personal statement to Andrew Morehouse: andrew.morehouse@bridgerskifoundation.org.
Name:
Age:
Program: BSF or Crosscut
Program Name:
Type of scholarship: Program or Athlete Need
Personal Statement: Please include a personal statement describing your history in Nordic skiing, your goals for the future, and how this money will help you achieve those goals.
Registered participants may be eligible for achievement-based scholarships throughout the season based on a participant’s athletic and other achievements and meeting specific criteria. There is no application process for Achievement-Based Scholarships. Alpine, Freestyle, and Nordic will recognize achievement based on the following criteria and events:
General Criteria Standards for consideration:
Alpine Achievements: If an athlete meets the General Criteria Standards and achieves one or more of the following accomplishments, they may be eligible for a scholarship based on available funds:
Freestyle Achievements: If an athlete meets the General Criteria Standards and achieves one or more of the following accomplishments, they may be eligible for a scholarship based on available funds:
Nordic Achievements: If an athlete meets the General Criteria Standards and achieves one or more of the following accomplishments, they may be eligible for a scholarship based on available funds:
Achievement-Based Scholarship Selection Committee & Process: Achievement-Based Scholarships will be awarded at the direction of the Program Directors, with approval of the Scholarship Committee. Scholarships for a given event in this class are designed to reward the hard work, dedication, commitment, and achievement of BSF athletes and to help offset the costs of more expensive travel and competition events. Scholarships will be made equitably among those recipients who qualify for the same event (e.g., each athlete that qualifies for Nordic Junior Nationals or US Nationals will be given the same amount of support). There is no application for this class of scholarship. Recipients will be notified by email at appropriate times or at Awards Banquets. Scholarships funds will be credited to the athlete’s account to be applied to program and event fees.
Sportsmanship Scholarships include the Erin Ogle Scholarship in Alpine and others as determined by the Program Directors and Scholarship Committee. There is no application process for Sportsmanship Scholarships. These awards are given out at varying times, at the discretion of the Program Directors and Scholarship Committee.
The Erin Ogle Scholarship is given out each spring to one athlete in Alpine who demonstrates at the highest level the values of sportsmanship, teamwork, dedication, commitment, and hard work in the sport of Alpine ski racing. There is no application process.
This is is given out each year by the BSF Board of Directors, with approval of the Scholarship Committee, to one male and one female athlete who is a graduating high school senior. Recipients will have demonstrated significant commitment, dedication, and accomplishment, both academically and athletically, during their years as a high school athlete at BSF. Recipients will receive a $400 scholarship to be applied to the athlete’s freshman year in college. The scholarship is given out each spring at the Bozeman High School Awards ceremony or other appropriate event in order to recognize our BSF athletes in front of their peers and teachers. Deadline for applications is May 1, 2021. Application process and instructions will be mailed to graduating seniors and their families in April.
BSF Athletes and families who receive and accept scholarships from BSF through the Scholarship Program must agree to adhere to the policies and procedures set forth by the Bridger Ski Foundation. If an athlete, and/or his/her family, who receives a scholarship violates BSF policies and procedures, or withdraws from BSF for a non-injury related reason, the athlete and his/her family may be responsible for refunding a prorated share of the scholarship.
If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact the BSF office at (406)587-2445 or admin@bridgerskifoundation.org