Left handed scholarships are basically some of the few educational grants that are frequently mentioned in the news but only few could and would avail. Listed as one of the few sub-categories of grants that would qualify a grantee according to his physical characteristics, scholarships for left handed people are basically established to help financially- and academically-deserving students to fund their continuing education in college.

Incepted in 1979, the Frederick and Mary F Beckley Scholarship, also known as Beckley Scholarship, is basically one, if not the only, educational grant that is provided to left handers. To date, there are over 40 left-leaning deserving students that had had been granted left handed scholarships since its establishment by Ms. Mary Francis Beckley, a former student of Juniata College.

The Beckley Scholarship basically provides an annual stipend worth $1,000 to $1,500 to sophomores, juniors, or senior college students who attend Juniata College. While the requirements to avail of their left handed scholarships could be no different to other scholarships, one primary and only, as some believe, limiting consideration to apply for the Beckley Scholarship is that the stipend could not be applied to other educational institution. To avail of the Scholarship, one is, therefore, required to exclusively avail of his tertiary education in Juniata College in Huntington, PA.

The Story Behind Scholarships for Left Handed People

The Beckley Scholarship is primarily a testament that loving one’s self – and, therefore, who you really are – leads one to his destiny. Back in 1919, Mary Francis was basically paired with Frederick Beckley, another left leaning student who basically believes that being a lefty should not make any one different – even in playing tennis. However, the tennis coaches believe otherwise. In spite of lefty tennis champions such as John McEnroe and Rod Laver, the future Mr. and Mrs. Beckley had met because of what they have in common: being left handers. And, as they say, the rest is history.

Making a Difference: The Benefits of Left Handed Scholarships

At least 10% of the US population is basically left-handed. In spite of its wide occurrence, the Beckley Scholarship is basically one, if not the only, educational grant specifically provided to aid left hander students. The Scholarship had been also helped by numerous media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and the “Today Show” on NBC-TV to bring about their cause in the public.

Applying for Left Handed Scholarships at Juniata College

Applying for scholarships for left handed people at Juniata College does not require one to prove his being lefty. "We don't even check closely when they are signing the forms," says Randy Renell, Student Financial Planning Director of Juniata College. The final question provided in the individual application form primarily determines whether or not the student is inherently a left hander.

To know more about the requirements to avail of the Beckley Scholarship, you may contact John Wall through 641-3132. Send your messages about Juniata College and how to avail of scholarships for left handed people through wallj@juniata.edu