Honoring integrity, leadership, and ethical excellence
The Barbara J. Sinnott Student of Integrity Scholarship, presented by the Better Business Bureau of Central New England’s Consumer Education Foundation, honors and rewards high school seniors who exemplify the values of integrity, leadership, and community service.
This prestigious scholarship is named in honor of Barbara J. Sinnott, the former President & CEO of the BBB of Central New England, who was a dedicated advocate for trust, integrity, and ethical business practices throughout her career. Barbara's legacy continues to inspire students who lead with integrity and a commitment to doing the right thing.
Scholarship information and application details
Applications for the 2025 scholarship are currently closed, but we encourage students to stay informed about next year’s scholarship opportunities. The 2026 scholarship applications will open in January 2026. Check back for updates and detailed application instructions.
Scholarship award:
Five scholarships of $1,000 will be awarded to high school seniors who demonstrate excellence in academics, community service, and ethical leadership.
Eligibility:
Open to students residing in the 225 communities served by the BBB of Central New England.
Applicants must be graduating high school seniors.
Essay prompt:
Applicants are required to submit an essay on one of the following topics:
The importance of character
Always doing the right thing
How they encourage others to act with integrity
Additional requirements:
Demonstrate leadership and community involvement
Provide a recent high school transcript
Application deadline:
Applications for 2025 were due by April 29, 2025. Stay tuned for 2026 updates!
School districts in our service region
The Better Business Bureau of Central New England serves a broad area, encompassing several school districts in Central Massachusetts, Western Massachusetts, and Northeastern Connecticut.
Our Service Region in MA starts (up to down) from Pepperell to Blackstone and (left to right) through Mount Washington and Williamstown.
Our Service Region in CT consists of Woodstock, Thompson, Eastford, Pomfret, Putman, Killingly and Brooklyn.
About the BBB of Central New England Consumer Education Foundation
The BBB of Central New England Consumer Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to promoting consumer education, trust, and ethical business practices within the community. Founded to support the consumer education initiatives of BBB, the Foundation is funded through donations from BBB-accredited businesses.
The Foundation’s initiatives include:
Fraud-awareness presentations for older adults, students, employees, and local service organizations.
Information tables at home shows, expos, and financial literacy events.
Scholarships for veterans and high school students.
For more information or to donate, please contact the Accredited Business Services Team at 508-552-0366.
Honoring Barbara J. Sinnott
Barbara J. Sinnott served as the President of the Better Business Bureau of Central New England for over 18 years, after which she retired in 2003. In addition to her leadership at the BBB, Barbara held several important roles, including:
Worcester City Councilor and Vice Mayor
Administrator of Easter Seals
Health and Human Services Provider Review Board Member (Washington, DC)
Barbara’s impact extended beyond her professional career, shaping the ethical standards of many organizations and individuals.
About BBB
For more than 100 years, the Better Business Bureau has been helping people find businesses, brands and charities they can trust. The International Association of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for the 100 local, independent BBBs in the United States and Canada. BBB of Central New England was founded in 1940 and serves 225 communities in Worcester, Hampshire, Hampden, Franklin, and Berkshire counties, as well as parts of Middlesex County, and seven towns in Northeastern Connecticut.