Scholarships Available

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 scholarship. 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).

UnitedHealth HEROES Service-Learning Grants — UnitedHealthcare invites schools and other community-based nonprofit organizations to step into service by applying for UnitedHealth HEROES grants. Grants of up to $1,000 are available for youth-led service-learning projects which aim to combat childhood obesity through walking, running, or hiking programs. To learn more about the program and how to apply for a grant access the website www.ysa.org/Heroes. The online application will close on October 15.

State Farm Good Neighbor YOUth In The Driver Seat Grants — To support teens and their teachers in the rite of passage of teens learning how to drive, Youth Service America (YSA) and State Farm are offering $1,500 “YOUth in the Driver Seat” grants to implement a service-learning program that encourages safe driving habits, community service and student achievement. Educators and students will receive YOUth in the Driver Seat, a brand-new YSA toolkit designed to help students develop their own service-learning program with educator guidance. Teachers and students in public high schools are eligible to apply online, www.ysa.org/grants/YOUthInTheDriverSeat. The application deadline is October 15. Selected grantees will be notified in mid-November, and projects begin in January.

Nestle Very Best in Youth Program — Nestlé helps young people who want to make a difference realize their dreams by donating $1,000 in the name of each winner to the charity of his/her choice. Nestlé also awards the winners a trip for them and a parent or guardian to Los Angeles for the Nestlé Very Best In Youth awards ceremony. The trip includes round trip coach air travel, hotel accommodations for three nights, and spending money. Contestants must be between 14 and 18 years of age and have parental or legal guardian permission to submit the entry form. Contestants must also demonstrate good citizenship, a strong academic record, and show how they have made a special contribution to their school, church, or community. Refer to the website for details and the online application process, www.verybestinyouthentry.nestleusa.com. The deadline for submission of all materials is November 8.

FIRE’s Freedom in Academia Essay Contest — The Foundation for Individual Rights in Education’s (FIRE) mission is to defend and sustain individual rights at America’s colleges and universities. High school juniors and seniors are eligible to participate in FIRE’s essay contest. To enter, students must submit an essay between 800 and 1,000 words on the provided topic. One $10,000 first prize, one $5,000 second prize, and three $1,000 runner-up prizes will be awarded for the best essays. Four $500 winners will be chosen from the remaining entrants in a drawing. FIRE will accept essay contest entries until November 25. For more information, see thefire.org/contest.

Intel Science Talent Search — This is America’s oldest and most highly regarded precollege science contest. It encourages talented high school seniors to pursue careers in science, math, engineering, and medicine. The 40 Intel Science Talent Search finalists will receive an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C., to attend the Intel Science Talent Institute from March 7 to 13. Intel Science Talent Search finalists will exhibit their research to the public and will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and insights with each other, as well as with illustrious members of the scientific research community. Complete information is available at www.societyforscience.org/sts. The application deadline is November 14.