SCHOLARSHIPS & FINANCIAL AID
The following scholarship information includes private scholarship opportunities. All colleges/universities also offer scholarships specific to their institution, which you can access on their individual websites. Additional scholarships will be listed as they become available. Also, please see the scholarship bulletin board in the main high school modular. Scholarships are listed in alphabetical order.
• American Cancer Society Scholarships
- Diagnosis of cancer before age 21, accepted to a 2-year or 4-yr university or community college or vocational technical school.
- Applications available in September or October.
- American Cancer Society- 800-282-4914, www.cancer.org
• American Dental Association- Health Foundation Scholarships
- Plan to enter the discipline of dental hygiene, dental assisting, dental lab technology; at least a 3.0 GPA
- www.ada.org click on the ADA foundation link; or call (312) 440-2547
• American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship
- Submit a 1,000 word essay
- www.afsascholarship.org
• The Art Institutes National Scholarships
- Scholarship awards are based on the quality of projects submitted by students
- For details call The Art Institute of Charlotte at 1-800-872-4417
- www.artinstitutes.edu
• Arts Awards
- Awards for entries in music, dance, film & video, photography, theater, visual arts, voice, and writing through the National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (NFAA)
- $3 million in college scholarships available
- www.artsawards.org
• Athletic Scholarships
- NCAA Scholarships
- Information available at www.ncaa.org/about/scholarships.html
• AXA Achievement Scholarship
- Fifty-two scholarships recipients, known as AXA Achievers will be selected- one from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Each recipient will receive $10,000 each.
- Scholarship applications available on www.axaonline.com/axafoundation
• Ayn Rand Essay Contest
- Prizes range from $50- $10,000
- High School junior or senior; must complete an essay on the Ayn Rand novel “The Fountainhead”
- Visit www.aynrand.org and click on “Educational Programs” then click on “essay contests.”
• Best Buy/Dollars for Scholars
- $1,000-$2,000 to 3 seniors in each US congressional district
- Based upon community service, essay, grades, extracurricular activities
- Applications available on www.bestbuy.com
• Careers in Agriculture Scholarship Program
- $1,000 scholarships to 20 high school seniors interested in agriculture-related studies
- Must demonstrate leadership and academic performance as well as write an essay describing why you are interested in an agricultural career.
- Applications available in October at www.agriliance.com/Dealer/Careers and click on “scholarship programs” or call (651) 355-5126
• Chevrolet/Michelle Kwan R.E.W.A.R.D.S Scholarship Program
- Ten scholarships are awarded up to $5,000 over four years.
- Must be a female graduating senior with at least a 3.2 GPA with demonstrated academic and athletic excellence who plans to continue involvement in athletics in college
- Visit www.gm.com or call the GM Scholarship Administration at 1-888-377-5233
• CEM Laboratories in Matthews in memory of Stacy Palasek
- $5000 scholarship
- Must be a senior girl planning to enter a 2 or 4 year university
- Majoring in geoscience, biology, chemistry or physics engineering
- www.cem.com/support/palasek.asp
• Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
- Regional scholars receive $4,000 each and National Scholars receive $20,000 each, over a period of 4 years
- Apply at www.coca-colascholars.org
• Crowder Scholarship
- Up to $1,000 per year for students whose parents have been employed for at least 3 years with construction companies in Mecklenburg County that are members of Carolinas Association of
General Contractors
- Contact Janeen Seymour, Foundation for the Carolinas, 217 S. Tryon St. Charlotte, NC, 28202, (704) 376-9541
• Crumley & Associates- Crib to College Scholarship
- Five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded. Each recipient will also receive a laptop computer.
- Candidates must have a minimum 3.0 GPA, be a graduating senior at a North Carolina high school and enroll at an accredited 4 year college or university or an accredited two-year technical school or community college next fall.
- Apply online at www.crumleyandassociates/crib-to-college.php Contact: Stephen Keaney at smkeaney@crumleyandassociates.com or 336-333-0044 for more information.
• Duke Energy Scholars
- For children of Duke Energy employees or retirees
- Provides 15 scholarships of up to $5,000 each per year for 4 years
- www.duke-energy.com
• The DuPont Challenge
- Open to all high school students- Junior Division grade 9 and Senior Division grades 10-12.
- You must write an essay about science investigation- rules and guidelines can be found at http://glcomm.com/dupont/home.html
• Educational Communications Scholarship Foundation
- $1,000 awarded to 50 students
- All students who are US citizens and have taken the SAT or ACT may apply
- Visit www.ecsf.org for an application
• Elk’s National Foundation “Most Valuable Student” Scholarship
- 500 four-year awards given ranging from $1,000- $15,000 per year
- Must be a high school senior who will pursue a 4-year degree in a US college/university. Applicants judged on leadership, academics, and financial need
- Applications available at www.elks.org/enf/scholars/mvs.cfm
• Fran Miller Scholarship
- Sponsored by the Matthews Women’s Club Service League
- Available to all Matthew residents in their senior year of high school
- Visit www.matthewswomen.org for more information
• Friendship Force of Charlotte Scholarship
- Must plan to major in International Studies or Foreign Language
- Must have a minimum 3.5 weighted GPA and minimum 1000 SAT, demonstrate community involvement including leadership roles fostering improved human relations, and financial need.
- For more information contact Shirley Brown, Chairperson, The Friendship Force of Charlotte, 322 Hawthorne Lane, Charlotte, NC 28204 (704) 752-8998
• Guardian Life Insurance Company “Girls Going Places” College Scholarship Program
- Open to girls ages 12-18 who demonstrate entrepreneurship and have made a difference in their school, community, or in other people’s lives; and have shown potential for future success.
- Must be nominated by an adult submitting an essay
- Visit www.glic.com then click on “Women’s Channel” and then “Girls Going Places College Scholarship”
• H.L. Bostic Scholarship
- One time $5,000 scholarship awarded to one graduating senior from MCA.
- The selection criteria for the H.L. Bostic scholarship includes leadership, academic excellence, active community service, participation in extracurricular activities, active church involvement and attendance at Metrolina Christian Academy since the ninth grade.
- Applications available in the Spring from Mrs. Spears
• Holland & Knight Charitable Foundation- Holocaust Remembrance Project
- Scholarships range from $1,000-$10,000 and all first place winners receive an all- expense paid trip to Washington, D.C.
- Visit www.holocaust.hklaw.com to apply.
• Horace Mann Scholarships
- Students must be college-bound high school seniors whose parent is a U.S. public or private school or college employee; have an overall GPA equivalent to at least a B average and score at least 1100 on the SAT
- Visit www.horacemann.com or (800) 999-1030
• Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program
- 100 scholarships of $20,000 each will be awarded
- Must be a high school senior who has faced and overcome great obstacles; have a minimum 2.0 GPA, demonstrate leadership, potential, commitment of service to others, and critical financial need ($50,000 or less gross income per family)
- Visit www.horatioalger.com to apply online
• Imagine America Scholarship & Awards Program
- Every high school in the United States can select up to 3 seniors to receive a $1,000 Imagine America Scholarship
- Student must attend a career college (example: Brookstone College of Business, ECPI College of Technology, The Art Institute of Charlotte
- GPA of 2.5 or higher
- Apply online at www.imagine-america.org
• Intel Science Talent Search
- Students compete for top prize of $100,000
- Entry form and rules available at www.sciserv.org/sts
• James Beard Foundation Scholarship Program
- Scholarship to assist students who plan to further their education at an accredited or licensed culinary school.
- Applications available in March at www.jamesbeard.org
• Johnson & Wales Chef of the Year National Recipe Contest
- $900,000 in scholarships will be awarded to contest winners
- For more information on contest details see guidance or contact the J&W Charlotte Admissions Office at 1-866-598-2427.
•
Kaplan/Newsweek “My Turn” Essay Contest
- $1,000-$5,000 prize for essay competition
- Visit www.kaptest.com/oneoff/essay/index.jhtml for official rules and application
• KFC Colonel's Scholars Program
- $5,000 per year for tuition, fees, books, and room and board
- Graduating senior
- Maintaining a minimum high school cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher
- Enrolling in a public, in-state college or university pursuing a bachelor’s degree
- U.S. citizen
- Application online at www.kfcscholars.org
• Levine Scholars Program
-This scholarship is in honor of Leon and Sandra Levine. It will be given for the first time to the freshman class of 2010.
- Must plan to attend the University of North Carolina Charlotte.
- Must be a senior with an unweighted GPA of 3.8 or higher.
- Must have an SAT score of 1800 -2400 or an ACT composite score of 29-36
- Estimated value of $90,000. Full tuition, room, and board. A new laptop computer, an $8,000 service grant, and a summer experience is all included.
• Lorillard Youth Smoking Prevention Program- Teen H.I.P
- $10,000 award
- Open to teens who choose not to smoke. Must excel academically, be active in school and community, and exhibit leadership capabilities.
- Visit www.keepkidsfromsmoking.com
• National Merit Scholarship Program
- $2,500 Scholarships; also college sponsored merit-scholarships for finalists
- Take the PSAT as a junior. Commended Students are named on the basis of a nationally applied Selection Index score that may vary from year to year. Semi-Finalists are named, who are the highest scoring entrants in each state.
- Visit www.nationalmerit.org for more information
• National Peace Essay Contest
- Open to students in grades 9-12.
- Must write a 1500 word essay on the topic “Youth and Violent Conflict”
- Visit www.usip.org/ed/npec for more details and application instructions
• North Carolina American Waterworks Association- Carol Bond Memorial Scholarship
- $100 award
- Must plan to study environmental science, earth science, or science education
- Visit www.ncawwa-wea.org for an application and more details
• North Carolina Association of Educators (NCAE) Martin Luther King Jr. Scholarship
- Applicants must be a North Carolina resident, and be in their senior year of high school; exemplifying character, personality, and scholastic achievement.
- Visit www.ncae.org for more information.
• North Carolina Blueberry Festival Essay Scholarship
- One - $4000, Two - $3000, Three - $2000, and Four - $1,000 Scholarships
- Visit http://www.ncblueberryfestival.com/forms/bbapps08/2008EssayScholarship.pdf for more information
• North Carolina Lions Foundation
- Educational grants up to $1,500 renewable year to year.
- Must be a graduating senior who is the child of a blind or visually impaired parent. Grants awarded based upon economic need of the family and the scholastic record and character of the applicant.
- Visit www.nclions.org then click on “Lions Activies” then click “NCLF & Programs.” Information will be found under “Educational Grants”
• North Carolina Physical Education-Coaching Scholarship Loan Program
- $4,000 per year for four years
- Must be a North Carolina resident, and enroll full time in a teacher education undergraduate program
- Must commit to teach full-time for three years and be a head coach or assistant coach in a North Carolina public school upon graduation. If this is not completed, the money must be repaid.
- Minimum 2.8 GPA
- Visit www.CFNC.org/PEC for more information
• North Carolina Prospective Teacher Scholarship Loan Program
- $2,500 per academic year for a 4-year school; $1,200 per year for a 2-year school
- For graduating seniors who have chosen to enter the education profession. Must have a recommendation, minimum 3.0 GPA, minimum 900 SAT. Must attend a NC college and work full time as a teacher in the State's public schools for each year funding was received.
- Visit www.ncpublicschools.org/scholarships to apply.
• North Carolina Restaurant Association Hospitality Educational Foundation Scholarship
- High school seniors who plan to enroll or students already enrolled in a full time undergraduate course of study at an accredited two or four year college or university, or vocational-technical school in North Carolina. Plan to pursue a course of study in culinary arts, hospitality management or tourism. Must be a North Carolina resident.
- Ten scholarships range in value from $750 to $1,500 for the year
- Visit www.ncra.org then click on NC Educational Foundation
• North Carolina Society of Accountants Scholarship Foundation
- Must be a NC resident, enroll in a NC institution, and enroll in an accounting degree program.
- Selection criteria based upon academic achievement and financial need.
- Visit www.ncsainc.org then click on “Scholarship Foundation.” Deadline- March
• North Carolina Teaching Fellows Scholarship Program
- Applicants must be North Carolina residents currently enrolled as high school seniors. Selection is made on the basis of high school grades, class standing, SAT scores, writing samples, community service, extracurricular activities, and references from teachers and members of the community.
- Up to 500 Teaching Fellows are selected annually from area high schools. The maximum award is $6,500 per year and is renewable for a total of four years of college.
- Scholarship recipients are required to teach in a North Carolina public school for one year for each year of scholarship assistance they receive.
- Applications are available online www.teachingfellows.org or see Mrs. Spears for an application.
• North Carolina Tomato Growers Association Scholarship
- $1,000 scholarship ($500 each semester) renewable each year if recipient maintains a 2.5 GPA.
- Open to any North Carolina resident who pursues a horticulture or agribusiness undergraduate or graduate degree in a N.C. four year College or University.
- Visit www.ncagr.com to apply.
• North Carolina Veterans Scholarships
- Award is available to children of certain deceased or disabled veterans or of veterans who were listed as POW/MIA. Veteran must have been a legal resident of North Carolina at time of entry into service, or child must have been born in North Carolina and resided there continuously.
- Full scholarships provide for four academic years of free tuition, room and board allowances and mandatory fees at state-supported institutions. Limited scholarships provide free tuition and mandatory fees. The yearly value at private institutions is $4,500 (full) and $1,500 (limited). Awards may be used for either undergraduate or graduate study.
- For information concerning this scholarship program, contact your local Veteran's Affairs Office or the North Carolina Division of Veterans Affairs, 1315 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1315, (919) 733-3851.
• Nurse Scholars Program
- Awards are available through the financial aid offices of North Carolina colleges and universities that offer nurse education programs which prepare students for licensure in NC as LPNs or RNs.
- The Nurse Scholars Program is a competitive, merit-based scholarship/loan program.
- Contact the financial aid office for the college/university in which you are interested for further information.
• Order Sons of Italy in America Scholarship
- $4,000 to $25,000 scholarships
- Open to US citizens of Italian descent who enroll in a 4-year institution
- Must write a 500-750 word essay on the contributions of Italian Americans to US culture and society.
- Visit www.osia.org or e-mail scholarships@osia.org to apply.
• Outstanding Students of America
- Scholarships in increments of $1000
- Open to current seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- www.outstandingstudentsofamerica.com
• Park Scholarship
- Given to exceptional high school seniors for undergraduate study in any discipline at NC state based on scholarship, leadership, service, and character.
- Four-year scholarship valued at $80,000 including tuition & fees, room & board, books & supplies, travel, and personal expenses.
- Includes a $2,200 computer stipend, opportunities for study abroad, and grant opportunities for research and artistic projects.
- Seniors should apply online via WolfPaw, including the “Park Scholarships Information” at www.ncsu.edu.
• Pfizer Epilepsy Scholarship Award
- One time $3,000 scholarship- 25 awarded
- Open to high school seniors and college students who have overcome the challenges of epilepsy and have shown high academic achievement and extracurricular activities.
- Visit www.epilepsy-scholarship.com to apply.
• Presidential Freedom Scholars- Student Service
- Open to juniors and seniors who have completed a minimum of 100 hours community service within the past year.
- Essay required
- Visit www.nationalservice.org/scholarships for more information
• Professional Construction Estimators Association- Ted G. Wilson Memorial Scholarship
- $1,500 scholarship
- Open to high school senior, college freshmen and sophomores who show academic ability, financial need, and a desire to enter the construction industry. Recipient must enter a 4-year university in North or South Carolina and major in Construction or Engineering directly related to the Construction Industry.
- Visit www.pcea.org/scholarships.cfm to apply.
• Ronald McDonald House Charities Scholars Program
- Four scholarships available – RMHC/Asia, RMHC/ African American Future Achievers, RMHC/ HACER, RMHC/ Scholars
- Visit www.rmhc.com/scholarships for more information
• Sam Walton Community Scholarship
- $1,000 award for first year of undergraduate study
- Application available at www.walmartfoundation.org
- Must have access code SWCS to access the application process
• Society of Women Engineers
- Minimum GPA of 3.5
- Application available at www.swe.org
• Target Scholarships
- Employees and immediate family members of employees are not eligible to apply.
- GPA of 2.0 or higher
- Apply online at http://target.scholarshipsamerica.org
• Toyota Community Scholars Program
- Each high school may nominate only one student for the Toyota Community Scholars Program. Community service/involvement primary factor in nomination. Please see guidance to be considered for this scholarship.
• Union Power Scholarship
- Three - $1,000 awards
- Application available at http://www.union-power.com/page.php?p=5&s=48
- Applicants must be a child of a Union Power Cooperative member or live in a home served by Union Power Cooperative.
• Merit Scholarships
- All colleges/universities offer scholarships specific to their institution. Visit websites of the colleges in which you are interested for this information. Scholarships are usually found under admissions- find a link to financial aid information.
Additional Resources:
• www.finaid.com
- This is considered to be one of the best sites in helping students and parents understand the financial aid process. It gives a description of each step of the process as well as a link to the Fastweb scholarship search. You can
also email a specific question to an aid advisor through this site.
• www.fastweb.com
- This is one of the best scholarship searches available. It requires the student to register and enter some basic information. It will then compile a list of scholarships that you could apply for. You will receive a description of each
scholarship along with the application deadline and contact name and phone number.
• www.salliemae.com
- This site provides an excellent description of the financial aid application process, particularly each type of loan available. It also has a financial aid calculator.
• www.fafsa.ed.gov
- This site allows you to submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on-line. It gives a good description of the purpose of the FAFSA and what will happen after you submit your application.
CAUTION: THERE ARE SEVERAL SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHES ON THE INTERNET THAT CHARGE A FEE. THESE ARE TO BE AVOIDED! STICK WITH THOSE LISTED HERE – THEY ARE GOOD, COMPREHENSIVE SITES.