Wichita Independent Business Association (WIBA) Scholarship

The Wichita Independent Business Association (WIBA) and the Kansas Independent Business Coalition (KIBC) are associations of privately owned businesses throughout the state of Kansas. Membership ranges from the individual sole proprietor operating a home-based business to large corporations with thousands of employees. WIBA exists for one purpose – to serve the interests of independent enterprise.

WIBA was established in 1931 on the founding principle of buying local. At their first official meeting on July 14, 1931, attended by more than 300 local businessmen, they began a campaign to determine the purchasing power of a dollar when kept circulating at home. Special folders, each containing a dollar bill and space to record purchases, were handed out to 100 men who were instructed to spend the dollars as they normally would. At the end of the “Pass the Buck” experiment several months later, it was found that these dollars each made an average of 20 purchases per month. This became the basis of their opening theme and is the focus of the WIBA logo.

WIBA Scholarship Criteria:

  • A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded annually to a student enrolled full time at Wichita State University.
  • No recipient will be excluded from consideration based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a veteran or disability.
  • Preference will be given to members of and dependents of members of the Wichita Independent Business Association (WIBA) who demonstrate academic achievement, school involvement, and community service.
  • Recipient must have and maintain a minimum 3.25 grade point average.
  • Should two (2) or more candidates be eligible, the award should be given to the candidate with the greatest financial need.
  • The scholarship(s) will not be automatically renewed, but past recipients are welcome to reapply.

Application Instructions:

  • Complete WIBA Scholarship Application & Verification of Membership form.
  • Submit to the WSU Office of Financial Aid by the close of the business day on April 30th.

Application

Deadline: April 30th