Bonner Leader Program Application 2021

Bonner Program Information

The Bonner Leaders Program is a cohort-based service experience that provides a scholarship to students in exchange for a commitment to intensive and meaningful service with a local community organization over their four years as a college student. In addition to service, Bonners engage in leadership development and social justice advocacy. Bonner students emerge from their college experience with a greater understanding of communities and the problems that exist within them, as well as the professional skills to be effective problem-solvers.

Program Benefits

$3,000 annual scholarship
Four-year internship and cohort experience
Extensive training in leadership, social justice, program management, and professional development
Up to $2,500 to support a summer internship experience with a nonprofit
Membership in a nationally recognized program
Free attendance to national Bonner conferences
Strong graduate school partnerships through the Bonner Foundation

Requirements

Passion for community involvement, social justice, and democratic engagement
Complete and log 300 hours each academic year
Serve 6-8 hours/week with a community partner
Attend Bonner cohort meetings on Monday afternoons (1.25 hours/week)
Complete one summer of service (280 hours/7-8 week internship)
Participate in a first-year immersion during intersession
Participate in the Sophomore Exchange immersion
Complete a senior Presentation of Learning and Capstone Project
Serve as an ambassador for Rollins College and the Bonner Program in the community

Service Placements

Students will do their weekly service with a non-profit community partner organization in Central Florida. A complete list of community partners can be found here.

Application Information

You must complete this application in one sitting as your work cannot be saved. Applicants are encouraged to answer questions in a word document and paste the answers into the text box when ready for submission. Please note word limit.

The application deadline is March 15 at 11:59 PM EST.

Your Information

First Name

Middle Name

Last Name

Birthdate

Email Address

Mobile Number

Required Questions

While composing your responses to the following questions, keep in mind that we have your college essay on file; therefore, you should use this as an opportunity to give us new insight into who you are as a person, your real commitment to service, as well as your capacity to think clearly, but "outside of the box" (Don't just tell us what you think we want to hear...be real!). Your responses should be no more than 300 words, max.

Required Question 1: In prospective Bonner Leaders, we look for committed people who have shown dedication to activities of importance in their lives. Please describe the service, family, school, church, athletic, or work responsibilities to which you have been most committed. Specify the activities, positions held and length / frequency of commitments.

Required Question 2: We receive a large number of applications for the Rollins College Bonner Leaders Program every year. Please describe what you would uniquely bring to the Bonner Leader Program and your community partner organization. (Include particular abilities or special skills you have that equip you for service.) Additionally, explain what you hope to gain from participating in the Bonner Program.

Required Question 3: Choose a community impact area that you feel strongly about (homelessness, youth development, immigration, literacy, etc.) and explain ways that you have or would like to be involved in addressing that issue as a student at Rollins.

Required Question 4: One of the Common Commitments of the Bonner Program is diversity. What is your definition of diversity and how does it connect to service? Describe an experience where you worked with someone different from yourself. What did you learn about difference from this experience?