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.

Bill Lauf Memorial Scholarship — The Danbury Fish and Game Club will award a $1,000 scholarship to a high school senior from the greater Danbury area planning a career in journalism or environmental science. The committee will make the award to the student who best exemplifies the qualities possessed by the late sportsman and journalist Bill Lauf. These qualities include, but are not limited to, sportsmanship, integrity, humor, curiosity, love of his fellow man, and love of writing. The application must be downloaded from Naviance and both the application and the essay must be sent via e-mail to billlaug@gmail.com by April 15.

PDK Prospective Educator Scholarship Program — The PDK Prospective Educator Scholarship Program recognizes students intending to pursue careers in education. The scholarship will be awarded based on leadership activities, community service, scholastic achievement, employment, and other significant extracurricular activities. The completed application including an essay and two letters of reference should be mailed to: Dr Patricia Cosentino, Bethel High School, 300 Whittlesey Drive, Bethel CT 06801 by March 30. Application forms are available in the Career Center.

American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Scholarship — American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences will be awarding two $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from Connecticut high schools who are planning to major in a family and consumer sciences related field in a two- or four-year school of higher education. The student selections will be based upon biographical information, leadership, an essay, character (two letters of recommendation), academic achievement, participation in family and consumer sciences courses, and extracurricular activities. Applications are available in the Career Center and must be submitted by e-mail by March 15.

Malcolm Baldrige Scholarship Award — This scholarship provides support to students majoring in or concentrating on studies in international business/trade or manufacturing. Annual awards have ranged from $2,000 to $4,000. Applications are available online www.conncf.org and must be postmarked by March 15.

National Active and Retired Federal Employees Assoc (NARFE) Scholarship — NARFE scholarships are available to the child, grandchild, and great-grandchild of any NARFE member in good standing. All applicants must be seniors with a minimum grade point average of 3.0. Applications are available at www.narfe.org, use your member ID to log in and click on the scholarship program link. The competed application materials must be submitted by mail to: NARFE Scholarship, C/O FEEA, 3333 South Wadsworth Boulevard, Suite 300, Lakewood CO 80227 by April 27.

Humane Society Shaw-Worth Scholarship — A $2,500 college scholarship will be awarded in May to a graduating senior from New England who has made a meaningful, long-term contribution to animal protection. Actions meriting the award may include direct work on behalf of animals; inspiring leadership in animal protection organizations; papers, speeches, or presentations on humane topics; and heroic animal rescues. There is no standardized form to complete. Applications should be written in letter form and include a narrative of the student’s achievements in animal protection, as well as a discussion of his or her attitude toward animals and postmarked by March 25. High scholastic standing and financial need are not prerequisites for this scholarship. The Career Center has complete information about this scholarship.

Tadeusz Sendzimir Fund — The first scholarship provides up to $5,000 of support to students, preferably of Polish decent, who are studying Polish language, history, or culture at an accredited college or university in the US or Poland. The second scholarship of up to $3,000 supports summer studies abroad at an academic institution/university in Poland. Visit www.conncf.org for the application which must be postmarked by March 15.

New England Graphic Arts Scholarships — This scholarship awards up to $2,500 annually to qualified seniors planning to continue their education in the graphics and arts. Students competing for scholarships must be residents of New England. The application is available online www.ppcne.org and all materials are due by May 15. Awards are based on academic achievements, extracurricular activities, personal qualifications, and financial need.

Buddy Pelletier Surfing Scholarship — This $1,000 scholarship recognizes high school seniors who are members of the East Coast surfing community. Applications are available in the Career Center and must be submitted by June 1.

Buick Achievers Scholarship Program — This national scholarship is looking for college-bound, community-minded student leaders who have succeeded both inside and outside of the classroom, who may not be able to attend college without financial assistance. The majority of the scholarships will be awarded to students majoring in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and math). Select design, marketing, accounting, finance and business majors are also eligible. Scholarships will be awarded as follows: 1,000 awards of $2,000, available for four years and one additional year for those entering a five-year engineering program and 100 awards of $25,000 per year, available for four years. Application deadline is February 29 and is available online at www.buickachievers.com.

Newtown Youth Football/ Cheerleading Scholarship — The Newtown Youth Football/Cheerleading Scholarship Fund was established in 2007 by the Newtown Youth Football/Cheerleading Board. The scholarship awards a total of $6,000 annually to qualified high school seniors who will continue their education after graduation at a college, university, or a technical/professional school. Students must be residents of Newtown, participants in the Newtown Youth Football/Cheerleading program, Pop Warner, or American Youth Football, and must demonstrate personal qualities deserving of this award. Applications are available online through Naviance under the application form. All completed applications are due to Mrs Latowicki in the Career Center by April 2. Personal interviews may be conducted. The board will present the awards at the high school’s awards ceremony.

UNICO National Scholarships — The Bridgeport Chapter of UNICO will award $1,000 to five high school seniors of Italian ancestry; applicants must have at least one grandparent of Italian heritage. Eligible students for the local chapter scholarships must reside in the greater Bridgeport area, which includes Newtown. The Career Center has the application form and the checklist. The submission deadline is April 2. The applications from the local chapter winners will be forwarded to UNICO National for their consideration in the national program which awards $6,000 over four years. Candidates will be evaluated on their three letters of endorsement, academic achievements, extracurricular school participation, and community involvement. In May, at the awards ceremony, each winner will be asked to give a verbal presentation discussing/summarizing the topics in their essays.

Education Connection Scholarship — The Education Connection scholarship is for high school seniors who plan to pursue a career that relates to the organization’s mission and programs. Applicants should also show a long-term commitment to community service. The application and the essay are due by April 20. Refer to the scoring rubric before writing your essay. Applications are available in the Career Center or apply online at www.surveymonkey.com/s/BB9SYNQ.

Hawley School PTA Scholarship — The Hawley School PTA scholarship recognizes two graduating seniors from NHS who attended Hawley School. Applicants must be ranked academically in the top 50 percent of the graduating class and be accepted to a post-high school academic program. Applicants should demonstrate the elements of character, achievement and dedication representative of the highest goals of education at Hawley School. Applications can be downloaded directly from Naviance. The scholarship chairperson will contact applicants to schedule the required interview. The submission deadline is April 13.

Dolores Ann Ventura Memorial Scholarship Fund — A $500 scholarship will be awarded to one graduating senior from Newtown High School. Eligible students must have a physical disability and/or have experienced challenges with school. An essay of no more than 500 words on the topic “How College Will Impact My Life” is also required. All applicants must have plans to attend a two- or four-year college, university, or technical school. Applications may be downloaded directly from Naviance under application form. The completed application and essay must be submitted to Mrs Latowicki in the Career Center by April 9. The award will be presented at the high school’s senior awards night.

Associated General Contractors of Connecticut Scholarship — The Associated General Contractors of Connecticut is awarding a two-year scholarship to Connecticut high school seniors who will pursue a career in construction. The scholarship provides $2,500 for tuition for both freshman and sophomore years and, if available, two summers of related work experience and hands-on training with an Associated General Contractors of Connecticut contractor. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors entering a four-year building technology or civil engineering program as a freshman, or a two-year technical school with a construction course of study, with the intent of entering a four-year college upon completion of the technical school. The application, required forms, and guidelines are available online at www.ctconstruction.org. The submission deadline is March 31.