In keeping with the goals of P. Buckley Moss, who struggled with dyslexia during her school years, this grant represents the artist’s dedication to the field of special education.

Students with a learning disability often graduate from high school with no recognition of their hard work and perseverence toward achieving their academic, technical, or artistic goals. When a student does attain and surpass expectations, there is often no extrinsic reward or incentive. The P. Buckley Moss Society - Anne and Matt Harbison Scholarship is intended to help fill that void.

The scholarship is named to honor the Society’s first president, Anne Harbison, and her husband, Matt, the first treasurer. The Harbisons were instrumental in founding the Society. As a school counselor, Anne understood firsthand the challenges faced by students with learning disabilities.

Nominations for the Anne and Matt Harbison Scholarship can be made only by members of the P. Buckley Moss Society.

Harbison Scholarship Brochure and Application (PDF document)

SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS:

• $1,500 scholarship to one high school senior with a certified language-related learning difference who is pursuing post-secondary education
• Renewable for up to three additional, consecutive years
• Applications must be postmarked no later than March 31

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:

• Nomination by a P. Buckley Moss Society member (brief letter from nominator stating relationship is optional).
• Verification of a language-related learning disability. Provide a letter (maximum two pages) from your case manager or counselor which details diagnostic information and progress. DO NOT SEND AN IEP.
• High school transcript.
• Two letters of recommendation, one from a faculty member at your school and the other from someone who knows you outside of the school setting (not from a relative).
• Essay responses to the following four questions (be specific and convincing):
  1. Select three words that best describe you and provide evidence and examples of these qualities.
  2. Explain your specific learning disability, how it has challenged you, specific strategies you have used to cope, and the effects it has had on your life.
  3. Discuss your accomplishments in extra-curricular, community, work, church interests. Then focus on the one that’s of most importance to you, explain how you became involved in it, and tell how this involvement has affected you.
  4. What are your plans for next year? What career do you hope to pursue? How would this scholarship benefit you?

WHAT SOCIETY MEMBERS CAN DO:
As a member of the Society, you yourself may know a deserving learning-different student; most often, however, you will need to contact special education teachers or guidance counselors at local high schools for their suggestions. Nominations for the P. Buckley Moss Society Anne and Matt Harbison Scholarship can be made only by Society members, who then help to complete an application form in conjunction with the nomimated student and/or an educator in the community.

DEADLINES:
Applications and supportive information must be returned to the P. Buckley Moss Society by March 31. All materials for each nominee must be included in one mailing and will not be returned. All applicants will be notified of the results, and the winner each year will be publicly announced on May 1.

APPLICATION:
You can download a scholarship application or request one by contacting the Society office:

Harbison Scholarship Brochure and Application (PDF document)

P. Buckley Moss Society
20 Stoneridge Dr, Suite 102
Waynesboro, VA 22980
tele: (540) 943-5678
fax: (540) 949-8408
email: society@mosssociety.org

The P. Buckley Moss Society reserves the right not to award the scholarship in a year when a suitable candidate is not nominated. In that case, the funds for the scholarship for that year can be carried over and applied to a scholarship awarded in the following year. All information will be confidential.