The Bilingual Bachillerato Program Scholarship
The Bilingual Bachillerato Program Scholarship, created through the hard work of BECA alumnae Hilary Hammell and Bridget Kelly, is awarded each year to an outstanding graduating student of SJBS. The scholarship provides the student with the means to earn a special diploma which officially certifies his/her bilingual skills- an extremely valuable commodity in Honduras.
The BBP is an extension of BECA's overall model, which enables the school to offer scholarships to no less than one quarter of SJBS students by supplying the majority of the teaching staff at no cost to the school. The BBP takes into account not only financial need but also academic achievement and motivation. We hope to inspire all of our students to strive for academic excellence.
Why is the BBP important?
Bilingual Hondurans are virtually guaranteed jobs that pay twice as much as their non-English speaking counterparts, if not more. With this degree (equivalent to a college degree in the United States) students are eligible for professional, career track jobs.
While a few SJBS graduates have the financial means to continue their bilingual education, most do not. On average, a quality bilingual secondary school in San Pedro Sula costs four times as much as SJBS. The approximate difference in annual cost is $2,500. Alternatives for SJBS graduates include non-bilingual technical/vocational, arts and sciences schools, or simply dropping out of school all together, since none of these options are free.
Our Commitment to No Handouts
To qualify for the scholarship, applicants must have an average of 85 or above in their core subjects of Math, Science, English, Global Studies, Spanish, Civica, and Estudios Sociales. They must also complete an application process that includes essays, a parent application, and teacher recommendations. A financial need assessment is performed during a home visit by a BECA representative and the recipient is selected by an impartial committee of experts chosen by BECA.
Scholarship recipients and their families are required to show their commitment to the program by completing service at SJBS. In addition, a recipient’s family contributes at least what they paid during their student’s final year at SJBS. If they had a full scholarship, a full scholarship can be provided. Also, recipients are required to maintain an average of at least 80 in all of her courses to remain eligible for the scholarship in subsequent years.
How You Can Help
Make a restricted payment to BBP recipients via Google Checkout:
