Scholarship Opportunities List
by Jeff Flott
October 05, 2011
GENERAL
The Ayn Rand Institute offers scholarship money to seniors who winThe Fountainhead essay contest. Applicants must submit an 800 – 1,600 word essay addressing one of three specific topics concerning the The Fountainhead. The prizes range from $30 to $10,000. In addition, five second prizes worth $2,000 and ten third prizes of $1,000 will be awarded with 45 finalists receiving $100 and 175 semifinalists receiving $50. Information is available at www.aynrand.org. The deadline for submitting The Fountainhead essays is April 26.
AXA Achievement Scholarship Program offers college scholarships to high school seniors who set and reach ambitious goals, demonstrate drive, determination and ability to succeed in college and who have respect for self, family and community. Fifty-two state winners (including Washington, D.C. and Puerto Rico) will receive $10,000 awards. Ten state winners will be selected to receive an additional $15,000 national award. Applicants are asked to describe in detail an outstanding achievement they have accomplished in a non academic activity or project. The accomplishment may be a long-term achievement, an activity or a project that occurred in their school, in the community or in the workplace. Information is available at www.axa-achievement.com. Deadline for application is December 1.
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation awards 250 merit-based scholarships recognizing outstanding well-rounded seniors. Fifty awards are given for $20,000, 250 awards are for $10,000, payable over four years. Applicants must have at least a 3.00 GPA and are evaluated on demonstrated leadership, commitment to community, academic achievement and part-time employment. The scholarships may be used for any line of study at any U.S. accredited college or university. Students can obtain more information and apply online (no paper applications will be accepted) at www.coca-colascholars.org. Deadline for application is October 31.
The Elks National Foundation’s annual “Most Valuable Student” scholarship contest will award 4-year scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $15,000 per year to any student in the graduating class of a high school (applicants do not need to have any relationship to Elk members). Applicants will be judged on financial need, leadership, and scholarship. Applications are available in the guidance office or at www.elks.org. Applications must be submitted by December 2.
The Elks National Foundation Legacy Awards scholarship contest awards four-year, $4,000 scholarships to children and grandchildren of Elk members who are high school seniors, going on to college and exhibit the values of knowledge, charity, community, and integrity. The postmark entry deadline is February 1.
The First Freedom Student Competition offers 9th-12th grade students an opportunity to compete for a $2,500 award. In the essay, students examine the First Amendment and the history and relevance of religious freedom in America and the world today. Register at www.firstfreedom.org. The postmark entry deadline is November 14.
The Gates Millennium Scholars Program provides outstanding African American, American Indian/Alaska Natives, Asian Pacific Islander American and Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in all areas and graduate education for certain studies. Applicants must be a citizen/legal permanent resident or national of the U. S., have a GPA of 3.3 on a 4.0 scale, will be entering a U.S. accredited college as a degree-seeking student, have demonstrated leadership abilities through community service or other activities, meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria. The scholarship provides the cost of attendance not covered by other financial aid and is renewable. Applications are available online at
https://www.gmsp.org. The deadline for application materials is Jan. 11.
The CBAI Foundation for Community Banking announces a scholarship competition that enables Illinois high school seniors to enter a statewide essay-writing contest. A scholarship in the amount of $1,000 a year for up to four years of higher education will be awarded to the author of the best essay. Entries must be received by the CBAI Foundation via the sponsoring bank by Noon on Monday, February 6. Check with the local sponsoring bank for its preliminary judging deadline.
Colgate-Palmolive is partnering with the Hispanic Scholarship Fund to encouraging young Hispanics to “Make the U” and get them on the path to higher education. Eleven grants will be arwarded with a grand prize of $15,000. To apply log on to www.colgate.com/hazlau. The application deadline is December 31.
The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans seeks to assist students who have demonstrated integrity, perseverance in overcoming adversity, strength of character, financial need, a good academic record, commitment to pursue a college education, and a desire to contribute to society for their scholarship. Applicants must have a minimum 2.00 GPA, involvement in co-curricular and community service activities, and an adjusted gross family income of below $50,000. Students interested in applying must submit an application online at www.horatioalger.org/scholarships. The deadline for application is October 30.
The Illinois Electric Cooperative Memorial Scholarship Fund will select two high school seniors to receive a $1,000 scholarship and a weeklong, all expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C. Applicants must be sons or daughters of Eastern Illini Electric Cooperative members. (Immediate family members of employees and directors of Eastern Illini are not eligible.) Apply online at www.eiec.coop. The application deadline is February 1.
Through the Illinois Electric Cooperatives the Thomas H. Moore Scholarship Program provides seven scholarships of $1,250. Four scholarships will be awarded to students who are the sons or daughters of an electric cooperative member who resides in Illinois, or who is a member of an Illinois electric cooperative, and who is currently receiving services from the cooperative at the time the scholarship application is submitted. A fifth scholarship, the "Earl W. Struck Memorial Scholarship," will be awarded to a student who is the son or daughter of an electric cooperative employee or director who resides in Illinois. A scholarship applicant is eligible for consideration in only one of the two above categories, and is eligible to apply through only one electric cooperative. The sixth and seventh scholarships will be reserved for use at a two-year Illinois community college. Sons and daughters of electric cooperative members, employees and directors who reside in Illinois are eligible. Apply online at www.eiec.coop. The application deadline is January 1.
The John F. Kennedy Library Foundation invites U.S. high school students to write an original essay on the political courage of a U.S. elected official. For contest information, registration, and to submit your essay online, visit the Profile in Courage Award Program at www.jfklibrary.org. The First-place winner receives $10,000, second-place winner receives $1,000, and up to five finalists receive $500. The deadline for submission is January 7.
The KFC Scholars Program will award scholarships up to $5,000 per year. To qualify, a student must be: maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.75 or higher, enrolling in a public, in-state college, pursuing a bachelor’s degree, and demonstrate financial need. Applications are available at www.kfcscholars.org. The online application will be available from December 1 to February 8.
Mediacom Communications will award up to 50 scholarships of $1,000 each to graduating seniors. Scholarships are available at www.mediacomworldclass.com. The application deadline is February 15.
The Odd Fellow-Rebekah Scholarship Program awards scholarships to students from throughout the state of Illinois who wish to attend any post-secondary school or accredited vocational or technical school and who have maintained at least a “C” average. Scholarships are awarded based upon need, scholastic standing and ability. Applications are available at www.I.O.O.F.-IL.org. Applications must be completed and returned to the Grand Lodge Office by February 15.
The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards recognizes students in middle and high school who have demonstrated exemplary community service. State Honorees receive $1,000 and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. To complete an online application visit http://spirit.prudential.com. The deadline for application is November 1.
The Sam Walton Community Scholarship program is a non-renewable $3,000 award for graduating senior’s first year of undergraduate study at an accredited college or university. The selection of winners is based on financial need, academic records, standardized test results (ACT, SAT), extracurricular activities, community involvement, work experience, and timely and accurate completion of the Scholarship Competition application. Information and online application are available at www.walmartfoundation.org (click on Education, then Scholarships). Applications are available online in November.
Susan Komen Breast Cancer College Scholarship worth up to $10,000 is offered to students who have lost a parent to breast cancer or having survive ed a breast cancer diagnosis at 25 years of age or younger. Students must plan to attend a state-supported college or university in the state where they permanently reside. The award is based upon academic achievement, community service, and demonstrated leadership ability. An application, letters of recommendation, and two essays are required. Information and application are available at www.komen.org. The application deadline is November 15.
The American Red Cross is offering the Young Minds Change Lives Educational Scholarship to one Tri-Point senior. The scholarship amount awarded by the Red Cross will be determined by the number of units collected at the school blood drive. The scholarship recipient criteria will include academic achievement and school and community involvement but do not have to be blood donors. The deadline for application is March.
USA Funds awards renewable scholarships to students with financial need. Applicants can be those planning on full-time or part-time college attendance, and who have an annual adjusted gross family income of $35,000 or less. Awards range from $750 to $1500 annually. Additionally, the organization targets 50% of all scholarships to students with a physical disability or of a recognized minority group. Information and applications available after October 1 at www.usafunds.org.
Education Majors
The Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois program annually identifies, recruits and prepares students for successful teaching careers in high-need schools throughout Illinois. Scholars must agree to teach for five years in an Illinois school that serves low-income students or has below-par test scores. In exchange, Scholars receive four years of financial assistance at one of 53 public and private universities across the state. Golden Apple Scholars also participate in summer programs that include teaching internships and enhanced teacher preparation (total assistance value $18,000). Information is available at www.goldenapple.org. Nominations by a teacher or school official or self-nominations are due November 1.
Phi Delta Kappa Scholarshipfor Prospective presents $500 to $5,000 scholarships to students planning on a career in education. Selection criteria is based upon academic standing, an essay, letters of recommendation, school activities, and community activities. Information and applications are available by visiting www.pdkintl.org. The deadline for application is February 1.
The Illinois PTA is offering Lillian E Glover Scholarships to graduating seniors planning to major in education in each of Illinois PTA’s 20 Districts. Qualified applicants are in the upper 33% of graduating class. First place is $1,000, and second place is $500. Visit Illinoispta.org. The deadline for application is February 15.
Engineering Majors
SAE Engineering will offer over 60 corporate- and university-sponsored scholarships will be available to high school seniors who are interested in studying engineering or a related science. These scholarships are made possible by the support of the corporate and academic communities. Applications are available at www.sae.org/students/engschlr.htm. The application deadlines are December 15.
National Defense
Stokes Educational Scholarship Program – With the Stokes Program, you work during the summer at NSA in areas related to your course of study. If you are selected as a program participant, you are required to work in your area of study for NSA after your college graduation for at least one-and-one-half times the length of study. The National Security Agency through this program will pay tuition and book costs at the college of your choice in return for your employment at the NSA for a length of one-and-one-half times the length of study in college. Recipients will attend school full-time the work during the summer for the NSA in areas that are related to their course of study. Applicants must have a minimum 3.00 GPA and 25 ACT score. Applicants may also choose a full-time major at college in any of the following areas: Computer Science, Electrical or Computer Engineering, Languages, or Mathematics. Application must be performed on-line at: www.nsa.gov/careers. The deadline for application is November 30.
School Specific
The Illinois State University Mathematics and Actuarial Science Department offers numerous scholarships including State Farm Scholars in Actuarial Science, Country Scholars in Actuarial Science, Katie Scholars in Actuarial Science, D.W. Simpson scholarships, and Orlyn Edge scholarships.
Parkland College awards up to ten tuition scholarships to high school seniors who are academically talented and who represent cultural, ethnic, or racial underrepresented groups at the college. Applications will be available in the Guidance Office in January.
The University of Illinois encourages high-achieving, underrepresented minorities to apply to participate in the President’s Award Program and receive financial assistance.
The United States Senate Youth Program will select two students from each state to travel to Washington DC and be part of governmental activities from March 3-10, 2012. Selected students will then be eligible to win $5,000 scholarships. The application is available at www.isbe.net/sos/htmls/hearst.htm. The deadline for Application is October 5.
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