Scholarships

Brehm Preparatory School Foundation offers three scholarships that are available to Brehm Preparatory School and OPTIONS Transitions to Independence students. All scholarships are payable towards tuition at either Brehm School or OPTIONS.

Tyson Brehm Memorial Scholarship

The Tyson Brehm Memorial Scholarship is a needs-based scholarship for Brehm or OPTIONS students with preference given to those that will be of an underrepresented group on the campus.

Scholarship Details

Name of Scholarship:
Tyson Brehm Memorial Scholarship

Amount Awarded:
Varies

Purpose:
The purpose of the scholarship is to honor the memory of Tyson Brehm, a graduate of Brehm School and the beloved son of the founder, Carol Brehm. This need-based scholarship was established to provide a local (southern Illinois) student the opportunity to attend Brehm Preparatory School or OPTIONS Transitions to Independence. Desired applicants are those that will add diversity to the population of Brehm, and will be of an underrepresented group on the campus.

Amount Awarded:
TBD annually based on available funding.

Timeline and Duration:
Applications for the annual scholarship are reviewed upon receipt and will remain open until filled. Eligible applications are considered depending upon the timing of submission and availability of the Tuition Assistance and Scholarship Committee.

Terms and Conditions:
The Tyson Brehm Memorial Scholarship is a need-based scholarship. Newly enrolled or returning students are eligible to receive the award.

Eligibility Determination:
This scholarship is need-based and has specific criteria as it relates to eligibility. Qualified candidates will be identified through FAST (Financial Aid for School Tuition) applications. Students’ families who meet the criteria for tuition assistance and also meet the stated criteria for the Tyson Brehm Scholarship will be considered as eligible.  The recommended student(s) by the reviewers of FAST applications will compile the names of the students, along with a short synopsis of the students experiences and personal situation, as indicated from the FAST to present to the Scholarship Committee, and the donor, in order to determine the best recipient.

Coach Greg Douglas Honorary & Heritage Scholarship

The Coach Greg Douglas Honorary & Heritage Scholarship is a $500 merit-based scholarship that considers financial need available to both Brehm and OPTIONS students.

Scholarship Details

Name of Scholarship:
Coach Greg Douglas Honorary & Heritage Scholarship

Champion of Scholarship:​
Greg Douglas

Amount:
$500

Purpose:​
The purpose of the scholarship is to honor and remember Coach Greg Douglas’ impact on Brehm and recognize other staff/faculty who have positively impacted Brehm.

Timeline and Duration:​
The scholarship is awarded annually with the potential for an unlimited duration. Scholarship applications will be emailed to students and their families during the second semester of the academic year. The deadline and award date will be announced when the applications are sent. To ensure you receive the scholarship application, make sure the Foundation has your current and preferred email address.

To ensure you receive the application, please add ​foundationinfo@brehm.org​ to your email contacts.

Terms and Conditions:​  
The Coach Greg Douglas Honorary & Heritage Scholarship is a merit-based award where financial need is also considered.  Students are eligible to receive the award after their first year in either the Brehm Preparatory School or OPTIONS programs. To be eligible to apply, students should be making positive gains in all aspects of the Brehm or OPTIONS programs as evidenced by a Tier or PDR level and a positive recommendation from his/her advisor.  Additionally, all tuition payments for the current year should be up-to-date.  

Coach Greg Douglas Honorary & Heritage Scholarship Questions Applicants should submit answers to the following questions.

Students can receive support; however, the writing and answers should be reflective of the applicant. The Assistance form must be submitted along with the answers to the Foundation Office.

Coach Douglas has a strong commitment to physical fitness and personal health. Describe how physical fitness is a part of your lifestyle.

Staff who work at Brehm and OPTIONS have a deep commitment to empowering students; describe how you have been personally empowered to reach your full potential since attending Brehm/OPTIONS.

Carey Marie Walsh Scholarship

The Carey Marie Walsh Scholarship is a merit-based $15,000 scholarship available to Brehm Preparatory School students.

Scholarship Details

Name of Scholarship:
Carey Marie Walsh Scholarship

Champion of Scholarship:
​Thomas and Charleen Walsh Family

Background of Scholarship: ​
Carey Marie Walsh was a student at Brehm Preparatory School from 1989 to 1993. Carey came to Brehm as a shy, reserved girl. During her time at Brehm, Carey participated in the yearbook and enjoyed traveling to Europe and Africa. Carey worked hard at Brehm and gained many of the skills needed to live independently and develop relationships. She graduated valedictorian in 1993 and then went on to SIU, where she received a BA in Psychology in 1998. Carey moved to Glen Ellyn, IL and attended the College of DuPage, where she received a Library Technical Assistant certificate in 2001. Throughout these successes, Carey continued to struggle with anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder. She returned to Carbondale and enrolled in Brehm’s OPTIONS Program in 2002. With the support of OPTIONS, Carey found meaningful employment at the public library and businesses in Carbondale. Carey was an active member of the community; regularly attending sports events, plays, and concerts. Carey truly enjoyed her independence, her friendships, and her work. In 2010, Carey underwent a bone marrow transplant for a blood disease, from which she did not recover.  It is in loving memory of Carey that we, her family, dedicate this scholarship to others.Carey’s life was full of challenges. Every day she battled to do simple things that many of us take for granted; like locking the door and walking away, or throwing away a piece of paper. However, Carey led a life of fulfillment, she was proud of her accomplishments, and she never stopped striving for better.  

Purpose:
The Carey Marie Walsh Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to one or more Brehm Preparatory School students each year that embodies the characteristics of Carey – including motivation, tenacity, striving for independence and excellence, caring for fellow students, respect for the environment, and creativity.  

Amount Awarded:
The Carey Marie Walsh is a $15,000 merit-based scholarship. The full amount can be awarded to one student or split between students as determined by the Scholarship Committee.  

Timeline and Duration:​
The scholarship is awarded annually with the potential for unlimited duration. Scholarship applications will be emailed to students and their families during the second semester of the academic year. Deadline and award date will be announced when the applications are sent.

To ensure you receive the scholarship application, make sure the Foundation has your current and preferred email address. To ensure you receive the application, please add foundationinfo@brehm.org​ ​ to your email contacts.  

Terms and Conditions:
The scholarship is renewable if the student is returning to Brehm Preparatory School The Following year, maintains good academic standing, and continues to make progress towards his/her specific goals.  

Eligibility:

  • Students are eligible for this scholarship after their first semester at Brehm.
  • Students may/should receive support to complete their essay. However, the student should ensure that the writing is reflective of his/her words and abilities. It is important that the applicant remember that the committee is most interested in the content of the essay and that the answers are reflective of the questions asked.
  • Students must be a Brehm Jr. High or High School student.
  • Students must be in good academic standing.
  • Students must be making adequate progress in the Brehm Program.
  • Students who are 100% funded through their school districts, who have settlements for funding through their district, or who receive other funding through the Brehm School Foundation are not eligible to apply.
  • All tuition payments for the current year should be up-to-date.
  • Students should submit answers to the Applicant Questions as well as the Assistance Form, ​Attention Anne` Westberry​, on or before ​due date​.  

Applicant Questions to be answered in essay form:  
How would this scholarship benefit and contribute to your long-term (or immediate) goals?

Please do not base your answer on financial need.
Carey had a passion for reading. Choose one book that you have read and describe how it had a positive effect on you.Describe how Brehm has assisted you in the development of your academic, social, and emotional goals.

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