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ABWA Membership Benefits

There are many forms of financial assistance available through the Stephen Bufton Memorial Educational Fund, also known as SMBEF, the national scholarship trust of ABWA. SBMEF is a tax-exempt trust, administered by the elected National Board of Directors of the Association, who serve as trustees and the selection board. All money given to the trust is divided annually into two equal parts, one part allocated to grants and the second equal part to interest free loans.

Every year our chapter participates in the SBMEF National Scholarship Program. Our chapter also awards Special Scholarships when funds are available in addition to the SBMEF grant and business skills grants.

Below is a description of the grants, loans, and scholarships that are available through the SBMEF National Scholarship.

  1. SBMEF BUSINESS SKILLS GRANTS AND OUTRIGHT GRANTS — $1,500.00 Junior level or above.
    • The Outright Grant of $1,500 is offered to female students attending an accredited university or college in the United States with 45 credit hours and a minimum GPA of 2.5. Students enrolled in graduate programs may apply.
    • Business skills grants are designed to encourage working women to keep up with the fast-paced, ever-changing workplace environment. This program covers accredited courses, which might be a one-time desktop publishing course or a series of real estate licensing classes. Grants of one-half of the tuition of a course up to $500, with a minimum of $50, are available. The number and amount of grants available varies each year.
  2. INTEREST FREE LOANS — $2,000 Junior level or above
  3. HILARY A. BUFTON, JR. SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIP — $10,000.00 awarded in even numbered years, graduate level, field of study determined by the National Board of Directors
  4. RUTH H. BUFTON SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIP — $3,000.00 graduate level, field of study determined by the National Board of Directors
  5. CHAPTER SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIP — $1,000 for accredited vocational schools or community colleges. Funds are to be used only for tuition, books and fees.
  6. FOREVER TENS SCHOLARSHIP — Forever Tens Scholarship (Past Top Ten Business Women of ABWA) - $5,000.00 awarded every two years, field of study determined by the Forever Tens
  7. VIP SCHOLARSHIP (Past National Officers of ABWA) — $3,000 awarded every two years, field of study determined by Past National Officers


    Since education is a large part of the commitment of ABWA, grants and scholarships are just one way for our organization to help women advance professionally and personally and contribute to the community. For more information, please contact our Scholarship Chairperson, Regina Landreneau, at click here to send her an e-mail.