Scholarship informational “tidbits”:

• Scholarship and award information is posted on the Counselor’s bulletin board, the cafeteria bulletin board, the JR/SR hallway bulletin board, and the College English classroom.  Students must frequently look each place for current information.

• It is the responsibility of the student to obtain the scholarship information from the Guidance Office, complete the required materials specified in each scholarship eligibility requirement guidelines, obtain necessary documents (letters of recommendation, transcripts, test scores, etc.), obtain necessary signatures, and mail. 

• Pay attention to deadlines; some are “postmarked by” and some are “received by”:  if neither is specified, assume it is “received by”.

•  Some scholarships are college specific and others are to colleges/universities of your choice

• GPA requirements are based on the semester which ended just prior to the scholarship application deadline unless otherwise specified.

• ACT score requirements are based on the highest score achieved by the scholarship application deadline unless otherwise specified.

• Scholarship information and applications are available in the Guidance Office.

• It is prudent for students planning to apply for scholarships to begin acquiring letters of recommendation from at least four different sources.  Letters should not be from family members, but from people such as teachers, pastors, employers, etc.  Do not obtain letters from people of the same acquaintance (i.e. not all four letters from teachers, etc.)  Request letters from people who know you well and will have positive comments about your abilities and character. 

• Most scholarships require a resume'.  A sample copy can be obtained in the Guidance Office.  In addition, a personal portfolio is beneficial.  These items require some time and effort and should be prepared in advance.

• Many scholarships are available.  It’s free money, available to you for just a small amount of work on your part.  Apply for each scholarship/award for which you meet the eligibility requirements. 

• Although it is important to consider applying for every scholarship for which you are eligible, your chances of winning increase as the competition decreases, naturally.  (i.e. A scholarship offered to a national applicant base is more difficult to win than one offered statewide.  Of course, a statewide scholarship is more difficult to win than a regional; a regional versus a county; a county versus a particular school district.) 

• Do not wait until the last minute to request a letter of recommendation, transcript, or even signatures from your sources.  Unexpected events occur (illness, meetings, school cancellation) and your sources may not be available at the last minute.  And, because you want a customized and personalized letter of recommendation from your sources, you must give them time to write a quality piece for your benefit. 

• Look for the SHS Indian symbol; a scholarship designated exclusively for SHS students will have that symbol.

Current Events and Scholarships Available
to 2010 HS Graduates
08/10

COLLEGE DOESN'T HAPPEN BY CHANCE!

Students:  for more information on any of the announcements below, see Mrs. Sullivan. 


SENIORS:

The VFW and Ladies Auxiliary are sponsoring scholarship contest for seniors called, “ The Voice of Democracy”.  This is an audio recording contest for scholarships from as little as $50 up to a grand prize scholarship for $30,000.  More info: www.vfw.org.  “Received by” deadline: November 1, 2010. 

Each month, one senior from this year’s graduating class will be nominated to receive the Teenager of the Month award from the Springfield Elks Lodge #409.  All recipients of this award will then be eligible to win the Teenager of the Year award in April.  That winner will receive a college scholarship.  Mrs. Sullivan will nominate two students each month; however, to do this, she must have seniors who are willing to attend the meetings once per month who will present the nomination and assist in the voting.  Several students are needed so that each one need only attend one meeting.  See Mrs. Sullivan if you are willing to participate and if you would like to be nominated.


ALL STUDENTS:

The Ayn Rand Institute will again hold two essay contests with prizes ranging from $30-$10,000.  Ayn Rand was a philosopher with controversial viewpoints.  These essay contests are based on her viewpoints.  For more info go to www.aynrandeducation.com.

Discovery Student Adventures offers immersive, educational, and inspirational trips for high school students to eight locations around the world.  Academic credit can be received for participation.  More info at:  www.DiscoveryStudentAdventures.com.

St. Louis University is taking applications for next summers’ workshops.  Workshop programs include topics in anatomy, surgery, science and nutrition and health.  Brain and heart dissections as well as cadaver demonstrations will be conducted.  Workshops vary in length from two hours to week long camps.  The costs vary from $5 to $650.  Some workshops can be accessed from SHS. 

Free scholarship search – over 1.3 million scholarships awarded!  www.fastweb.com.                                 

Highest quality free scholarship search site – www.collegeboard.com.

Go to Major-Specific Databases at www.finaid.com for info on scholarships for specific majors or career interests.  
                 
Go to www.scholarships.com for free scholarship searches.  This website matches students’ individual talents, abilities, and interests to relevant scholarship opportunities.  Other information is included also. 

Find Tuition. Com is another free scholarship search site for your use.  You will find many more scholarships and grants for which to apply other than what we know about in our office.  Search by eligibility, major, college, etc.  Log on to:  www.FindTuition.com. 
 
The American Legion provided extensive information on scholarships, grants and loans to dependents of veterans. The “Need ALift?” booklet, which contains all of the information, is available for use in the Guidance Office or online at www.needalift.org. Information contained in the booklet is broken down in sections by state and branches of military service. “Need A Lift?” also references an electronic scholarship search service which provides access to additional scholarships, grants and loans based upon the student’s major, college selected, interests and/or hobbies. This service is free at: www.srnexpress.com.

The Wells Fargo CollegeSteps Program provides information on scholarships, financial aid, testing and college preparation.  Free search site, but registration is necessary.  Go to: www.wellsfargo.com/student/planning/scholarships.

Discover Colleges provides FREE private college info as well as a $2,500 private college scholarship drawing.  Log on to www.discovercolleges.com for info and to enter in the scholarship drawing. 

Cappex.com is giving away $25,000 in scholarships.  This is a free college and scholarship search site.  Many scholarships are available such as:  business, communications, political science, education, biology, English, travel, specific colleges, low GPA, and hardship.  Log on to www.Cappex.com/scholarships.

NMSU is offering several scholarships in various amounts with various deadlines and with various eligibility requirements.  The website doesn’t vary, though!  Go to www.nwmissouri.edu/finaid/ for more info and to apply.

Merit scholarships are scholarships awarded to students based on their interests, intended majors, leadership and community service, and cumulative GPA (2.0 – 4.0).  Merit.Aid is a comprehensive website which matches student criteria with potential scholarships.  Go to www.meritaid.com for more info.

Zinch helps students find millions of dollars in scholarships and the schools that are right for them.  Free scholarship search site:  www.zinch.com.

Rankin Technical College in St. Louis is offering scholarships in the fields of study of Architecture Technology, Information Technology and Precision Machining Technology.  For more info, go to www.ranken.edu.

Free money you don’t have to pay back.  Everyone should apply!   www.FAFSA.ed.gov