Numerous Scholarships Available To Newtown High School Students

The Newtown High School Career Center publicizes all scholarships of which it is notified.

A few of the scholarships, typically national ones, request that money be enclosed with the application. The Career Center believes that students should not have to pay to apply for scholarships. If a student chooses to apply for a scholarship that charges a fee, however, the Career Center strongly advises parents and students to check its authenticity through the FTC Consumer Response Center, www.ftc.gov or 877-FTC-HELP; the National Fraud Information Center, www.fraud.org or 800-876-7060; or the Better Business Bureau, www.bbb.org or 703-276-0100.

Full details on all scholarships are available at the high school Career Center.

Bohdan Kolinsky Journalism Scholarship — The Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance will award a $1,000 scholarship to a high school senior in Connecticut planning to attend an accredited four-year college for study to pursue a career in sports journalism. There is potential for this scholarship to be renewed based on the student’s ability to maintain set criteria. Applicants will be judged on the basis of their promise as journalists and their ability to successfully complete college-level academic work. Applications may be downloaded from Naviance. All applications and supporting materials must be postmarked before noon on Tuesday January 23 or received by 9 am on Monday, January 25. The scholarship winner will be honored at the Alliance’s 2010 Gold Key Dinner in April at the Aqua Turf in Southington.

KFC Colonel’s Scholars Program — The KFC Colonel’s Scholars Program is looking for outstanding graduating high school seniors with financial need and entrepreneurial spirit to qualify for the KFC Colonel’s Scholars Program. Applicants must enroll in a public college or university in September 2010 in their state of residence. Applicants must demonstrate financial need by completing a FAFSA form, meet a GPA minimum of 2.75 and be US citizens or permanent residents. The application process is online at www.kfcscholars.org. This scholarship will become active on December 1, and the online application is available through February 10.

Weller Education Scholarship — The purpose of this $4,000 scholarship is to recognize and financially assist a high school senior planning to pursue a career teaching in public or private elementary or secondary schools. Applicants must be seniors who are full-time students at Joel Barlow, Masuk, Newtown, Shelton, or Trumbull High Schools. An essay, 500 to 700 words in length, written by the applicant, must be submitted with the application. The essay shall be entitled, “Why I have Chosen a Career in Education.” The essay must focus on the strengths and weaknesses of the applicant’s secondary educational experiences including specific examples and anecdotes with suggestions for change. Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.5/4.0 or a class rank in the top 20 percent at the end of grade 11 in high school and a minimum SAT of 1710 and/or an ACT of 25. The Career Center has applications. The application deadline is March 1.

Weller Medical / Health Sciences Scholarship — The Weller Foundation provides financial assistance to a local high school senior who has chosen a course of study in the field of medical/health sciences. Health care careers acceptable under this program are nursing, therapy, medical technology, paramedics, and other licensed health care workers who provide one-on-one health care to people. Programs leading to MD or PhD degrees are not acceptable. Academic programs shall be a minimum of one year and a maximum of six years in duration with a maximum of four years of payments.

The scholarship requires a 500–700 word essay titled, “Why I have chosen a Career in Medicine.” Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0 and minimum SAT score of 1460 or ACT score of 20. A completed application form with all required attachments must be received before the application deadline date of March 1. Those who have submitted acceptable applications must attend a brief interview with the judges. The interviews will take place on Thursday, April 8. The award is $1,000 per year for up to four years or 50 percent of the cost of the training program, whichever is less. The Career Center has applications.

 RMHC US Scholarship Program — Students who face limited access to educational and career opportunities because of financial constraints are eligible to apply for scholarships through Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC). Current high school seniors who will attend a two- or four-year college or university full-time are eligible. Applicants must be legal US residents. Applications may be downloaded from www.rmhc.org and are due by February 16.

NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards — Applicants for the entrepreneurship awards from the National Federation of Independent Business should demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit and initiative, such as starting his or her own business, participation in organizations such as DECA, Future Business Leaders of America, or Junior Achievement. There are a minimum of 150 scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. Interested students should go to the website for complete information and FAQs. NFIB recommends that students fully read all application instructions and the frequently asked questions before beginning the online application. The selection committee will consider academic record, extracurricular activities, leadership and character. Applicants are encouraged to apply online at www.nfib.com/YEA. Applications are being accepted until December 31.

Rider University 30th Annual High School Writing Contest — All high school students are eligible for this annual essay and poetry contest. The prizes in both categories are $100 for first prize; $50 for second prize; and $25 for third prize. All winners will be considered for publication in Venture, Rider’s literary magazine. All finalists will receive a Certificate of Honorable Mention. The Career Center has the contest rules. The deadline to enter is December 18.