Newtown High School Lists Scholarships

The 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 that he or she first 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.bbg.org or 703-276-0100.

Elks National Foundation Scholarships — The organization sponsors three national award programs for high school seniors who will enroll in accredited American colleges or universities. A $1,000 one-year Legacy Award is for any child or grandchild of living Elks who joined the order on or before April 1, 2002. Applications must be postmarked by January 14. Four Eagle Scout Awards of $2,000 per year and four of $1,000 per year will be offered to Registered Scouts who have achieved the rank of Eagle, have a SAT score of at least 1090, and demonstrate financial need. Applications are available from the Eagle Scout scholarships website and must be postmarked by February 29. Eight Girl Scout Gold Awards of $1,500 per year for four years will be awarded to high school senior scouts who have achieved the highest ranking in Girl Scouting. Interested girls should contact The Girl Scout Council of Southwestern Connecticut in Wilton by late January or check the website for details. Additional information is available for all national scholarships at www.elks.org/enf/scholars and in the Career Center.

 Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS) — This national scholarship program, funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will provide an opportunity for thousands of outstanding students with significant financial need to complete an undergraduate college education. Applicants must be African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian Pacific Islander American, or Hispanic American and be a citizen/legal permanent resident or national of the United States, have attained a cumulative GPA of 3.3 at the time of nomination, be entering a US college or university full-time in the fall of 2005, have demonstrated leadership abilities and meet the Federal Pell grant eligibility criteria. Information is available in the Career Center. Interested students should go to www.gmsp.org for nomination forms. The submission deadline for nomination materials is January 14.

Governor’s Coalition for Youth with Disabilities (GCYD) — This scholarship recognizes the outstanding achievements of high school seniors with disabilities by providing them with financial assistance to further their educations and facilitate their career goals. Candidates must be Connecticut residents who have a disability as defined by the Special Education Law or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, have demonstrated responsibility and good character, attend a postsecondary school or training program and show promise for a successful career. The three types of scholarships are: 1) a one-time only nonrenewable scholarship of up to $2,500; 2) one renewable scholarship for $500 per semester to each of the four state universities; 3) one renewable scholarship to each of the 12 Connecticut community cColleges in the amount of $250 per semester. Students are eligible for only one type of award. Applications are available in the Career Center or at www.gcyd.org. They must be returned to the Career Center by January 14.

NFIB Free Enterprise Scholars Award — At least 300 high school seniors nationwide will be awarded $1,000 scholarships to an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational institute. The awards are nonrenewable and are not based on financial need. The applicant 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. An active member of NFIB must nominate all applicants. The selection committee will consider academic record, extracurricular activities, leadership activities, and character. Applications are available in the Career Center and at www.NFIB.com/education. Completed applications will be accepted January 1–March 15.

National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences — The academy’s foundation will award one John Cannon Memorial Scholarship for $40,000 to a high school student planning to pursue a career in television or a related field by planning to major in communications at a four-year college or university. The deadline is December 10. Applications are available in the Career Center or online at www.emmyonline.org.

Holocaust Remembrance Project — A national essay contest for high school students designed to encourage and promote the study of the Holocaust. Students compete for scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 and a possible trip to Washington, D.C., to visit the US Holocaust Memorial Museum. Essays are no more than 1,200 words. Participation rules are available in the Career Center and at www.holocaust.hklaw.com. Students are encouraged to submit their essays online by April 15.

National Italian American Foundation Scholarships — Two categories of scholarships ranging from $2,000 to $5,000 will be awarded to outstanding high school seniors who will enroll in a US accredited institution of higher learning in the fall 2005. Category One scholarships are for Italian American students who demonstrate outstanding potential and high academic achievement for study in any academic area. Category Two scholarships are for high achieving students of any ethnic heritage who will major or minor in Italian language or Italian American studies. Applications are available online at www.niaf.org in January and must be competed by April 30.