AFS Awards for Excellence — This prestigious merit scholarship program recognizes and rewards outstanding high school students who demonstrate leadership, service to their community, and strong academic achievement by making it possible for them to study abroad. AFS will award ten full travel scholarships and 110 partial scholarships ($1,000 to $2,500). The awards pertain to summer, semester or full-year travel programs. A teacher or guidance counselor must nominate all applicants. The deadline for students to be nominated for these travel scholarships is December 4. Forms are available at AFS.org/USA.

American Chemical Society Scholars Program — The American Chemical Society offers renewable scholarships of up to $2,500 per year for underrepresented minority entering college students. Applicants must be high academic achievers and plan to major in chemistry or chemistry-related sciences. Applications are available at chemistry.org and must be submitted by March 1.

AXA Achievement Community Scholarship - Every branch office of AXA Advisors will award up to twelve non-renewable scholarships of $2,000 each  to local high school seniors.  Applicants are asked to describe an outstanding achievement they have accomplished in a non-academic activity or project. The accomplishment may be a long-term achievement, an activity or a project that occurred in their school, in the community or in the workplace. Consideration will also be given to other extracurricular activities in school and community, work experience, and the applicant’s academic record over the past four years. Scholarship winners must demonstrate ambition and drive, determination to set and reach goals, respect of self, family and community and ability to succeed in college. Information and applications are available at www.axa-achievement.com.  The deadline is February 15.

Church Hill Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Scholarship – Two scholarship of $250 will be awarded to two graduating seniors from NHS who plan to attend a four-year college or university majoring in physical therapy, sports medicine or other majors in  allied health. Completed applications must be returned directly to Mrs. Latowicki in the Career Center by April 25.  An essay is included in the application.

Guardian Girls Going Places Entrepreneurship Award - This annual scholarship award program is open to girls ages 12 – 18 who are community-minded and have demonstrated entrepreneurship. Essays will be evaluated according to demonstration of emerging entrepreneurship and financial independence.  Awards include one $10,000 prize, one $5,000 prize, one $3,000 prize and twelve $1,000 prizes. Information is available at www.girlsgoingplaces.com and in the Career Center. Applications must be completed by February 15.

Humane Society Shaw-Worth Scholarship - One $2,000 college scholarship will be awarded to a graduating senior from New England who has made a meaningful contribution to animal protection over a significant period of time. Actions meriting the award may include long-term, direct work on behalf of animals; inspiring leadership in animal protection organizations; papers, speeches, or presentations on humane topics; or heroic resources. Financial need and high scholastic standing are not considerations for this scholarship.  Information is available in the Career Center and applications must be submitted by March 17.

IMPAC-CSUS Literary Awards for Young Writers — The Connecticut State University System will award $1,000 to two young writers ages 13–18 from each of Connecticut’s eight counties for their works of prose or poetry. The top two poetry and prose entrants will receive a weeklong trip to Dublin, Ireland, in 2008. (The trip includes transportation for a parent of the winners.) Entries must be nominated by a public or private school teacher or may be from a home-schooled student. The Career Center has entry forms. Interested students can go to CTYoungWriters.org for additional information. The deadline is February 1.

Junior Achievement Scholarships — There are several national scholarship award programs for graduating high school seniors who have been involved in Junior Achievement including the Walt Disney Company Foundation Scholarship, Joe Francomano Scholarship, and Hugh B. Sweeny Achievement Award. Information and applications are available at www.ja.org/programs. The deadline for these scholarship programs is February 1.

National Peace Essay Contest – This is a national essay contest sponsored by the United States Institute of Peace for students in grades nine through twelve. The 2008 essay topic is “Natural Resources and Conflict.” First place State winners are expected to receive scholarships of $1,000 and will compete for National Awards of $2,500, $5,000 and $10,000. First place State winners will also be invited to attend an all-expense paid awards program in Washington, DC in June. Essays will be judged on the basis of focus, organization, analysis, style, originality, voice and conclusions. Details are available at www.usip.org.  The deadline is February 1.

 NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards – There are 400 $1,000 scholarships available for enterprising students. Applicants for these national awards should demonstrate entrepreneurial spirit and initiative, by  starting their  own businesses, for example, or participating in organizations such as DECA, Future Business Leaders of America or Junior Achievement. Interested students should go to www.NFIB.com/YEF for information and FAQs. NFIB recommends that students fully read all the application instructions and the frequently asked questions before beginning the application. The selection committee will consider academic record, extracurricular activities, leadership and character. Apply online by February 11.

Pfizer Epilepsy Scholarships - This one-year $3,000 scholarship will honor 25 outstanding students who have overcome the challenges of epilepsy. Applicants must demonstrate success in school, involvement in activities and show a desire to continue in college. All applicants must be under a physician’s care for epilepsy. The application forms may be downloaded from www.epilepsy-scholarship.com.  All application materials are due by March 1, and must be sent by U.S. mail.   Emailed applications will NOT be accepted.

Pratt and Whitney Science and Technology Scholarship — One $1,000 nonrenewable scholarship to Eastern Connecticut State University will be awarded to a high school senior from Connecticut. The student must be accepted to ECSU for full time study during fall 2008.

Candidates must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate an interest in science or technology. The applicant must demonstrate financial need. Examples of leadership or volunteer commitment are encouraged but not required. Information is available from the Career Center or at CSUSystemFoundation.org. All application materials are due by April 30.

Resolve to Evolve Essay Contest - High school seniors are eligible to enter this national essay contest for scholarship awards. Entrants may select one of two topics about which to compose their essay. Question #1 is, “Has the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 been successful in fulfilling its purpose? Why or why not?” Question #2 is, “How has the rising cost of a college education affected students and families? What can the government do to offset any adverse effects or related financial pressures? “. The idea behind the “R2E” Essay Scholarship is to offer a solution and be constructively critical rather than just find fault with a given administration or organization. All applicants must register at www.scholarships.com/resolvetoevolve.aspx.  The Career Center has basic information.  All essays must be submitted by March 31, 2008.

Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship — A $10,00 grant, covering room and board, tuition and travel fees for three months, or $23,000 grant for the full academic year, is a available to college sophomores, juniors, and seniors who want to live abroad and study a foreign language, starting any time after July 2009. The application deadline is March 1, 2008; interested students contact the president of their local Rotary Club, and go www.rotary.org/students to download the application forms. Decisions will be made during September or October 2008.