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 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.

Rock Cats Foundation and Dunkin’ Donuts Student Athlete Scholarship — The Rock Cats Foundation and Dunkin’ Donuts are partnering to offer two $2,500 scholarships to Connecticut student athletes with solid academic achievement and a record of community service. All applicants must be high school seniors who will attend a college or university for the fall semester. Students must have a minimum 1300 SAT (based on 2400 scale) or 850 SAT (based on 1600 scale) or 19 ACT score and 3.0 grade point average. Applicants must be a member of at least one school sports team and participate in extra curricular activities. Applications may be downloaded from Naviance. Application materials must be postmarked no later than Friday, May 20.

Newtown Federation of Teachers Scholarship — Newtown Federation of Teachers is offering a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating Newtown senior intending to pursue a degree in the field of education. The application process includes an essay about the teaching profession. An application sheet may be downloaded from Naviance. All applications are due to Mrs Latowicki in the Career Center by April 25.

CHET Scholarship — The CHET (we Care, we Help, we Excel Together) scholarship program of CancerCare of Connecticut was established in memory of Chet Smith who died at the age of 41 because of lung cancer despite being a nonsmoker. Funds are available to assist Connecticut residents, who have lost a parent or sibling to cancer, pursue their postsecondary education goals. Applications must be downloaded from the website www.cancercare.org/about_us/contact_us/connecticut.php. Click on “Programs” for the online application. Mail completed application and supporting documentation by May 13.

Bill Benzing Memorial Scholarship — The Bill Benzing Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior who is a member of the varsity baseball team and will be pursuing a college education. Applicants should highlight their contribution to the baseball program, service to the community, and participation in extracurricular activities. The application is available in the Career Center and requires a recommendation from the baseball coach and a signature from the guidance counselor who must officially seal the application. Send the application and supporting documentation to: Jeff Earle, 19 Pound Sweet Hill, Bethel CT 06801 by the May 30 deadline. The scholarship winner will be invited to the WCUA Annual Banquet in June.

Mary Frances Edgett Scholarship & Memorial Scholarship — The Northern Fairfield County Retired Teachers’ Association will award two scholarships to seniors from local area high schools who aspire to careers in teaching. The Mary Frances Edgett Scholarship will award $1,500 to an eligible student. The new Memorial Scholarship will award $1,000 scholarship to a student who intends to major in education and have a career in teaching. The application includes an essay explaining why the student has decided to teach and two specific letters of recommendation. Scholarship requirements and the application may be downloaded on the website at www.nfcrta.org and must be mailed by Friday, May 6.

Church Hill Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation — Church Hill Physical Therapy & Sports Rehabilitation will award two scholarships of $250 to two graduating seniors from Newtown High School planning to attend a four-year college or university majoring in one of the following areas: physical therapy, sports medicine, or other majors related to allied health. Completed application and essay must be returned directly to Mrs Latowicki in the Career Center by April 26.

Financial Planning Association Scholarship — One $1,500 scholarship is available to a college-bound high school senior from a public school in Fairfield County who is interested in pursuing a course of study that will result in a degree in business, accounting, or related business field and lead to a possible career in financial planning. The scholarship will be awarded on the basis of academic achievement, character, financial need and career potential. The application must be accompanied by a transcript, CSS Financial Aid Form or FAFSA Form, IRS Form 1040 and proof of college acceptance(s) received to date to an accredited college that offers a degree in business. Applications must be postmarked by April 26 and received by April 28. Applications are available in the Career Center.