Newtown High School Lists Scholarships

The Career Center advertises all scholarships that are received in the mail. 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, 877-FTC-HELP, the National Fraud Information Center, www.fraud.org, 800-876-7060 or the Better Business Bureau, www.bbg.org or call 703-276-0100.

Educational Communications Scholarship Foundation –– A minimum of 127 awards will be distributed this year to meritorious high school students who are legal residents of the United States and planning to attend an accredited postsecondary institution. The awards range from $1,000 to $6,000. SAT and/or ACT Tests are required to compete. Details are available in the Career Center. Applications must be received by May 15.

NAGC-Nicholas Green High School Senior Award Program –– A new national award in the amount of $1,500 for a student in his/her final year of high school. Two runners up will receive $1,000 each. The award honors students who demonstrate excellence and distinguish themselves in academics, arts, leadership, or community service. More information is available through www.nagc.org or the Career Center. Applications must be postmarked by February 13.

Office Depot/Junior Achievement Scholarship –– Six college scholarships of $10,000 are available to high school seniors who demonstrate financial need and scholastic achievement. All eligible applicants must have participated in a Junior Achievement program at the high school level through the Regional Education Connection Internship Program. Applications are available in the Career Center. All applications must be postmarked by February 27. Information is also available at www.ja.org.

Latino Scholarship Fund –– This scholarship is open to Latino students residing in the greater Danbury area, of which Newtown is a part. A “Latino” is defined as any person, at least one of whose parents and/or grandparents were born in any of the recognized Spanish-speaking countries, or territory of the United States, and who identify with what is commonly accepted as the “Latino culture.” An applicant must be a US citizen or permanent resident and anticipate enrollment in a US college or university. Applicants will be responsible for providing proof required by the application form, including IRS forms or any other information requested by the Selection Committee. Applicants will be evaluated by the Selection Committee and interviews may be requested, to determine eligibility, based in part upon: a) character and integrity; b) academic standing and/or potential; c) involvement in and commitment to community; d) financial need. The amount of awards shall be determined based upon relative need and availability of funds. Deadline for completed applications is March 15.

Connecticut Association of Educational Office Professionals –– The CAEOP will be awarding two $750 scholarships this year, the CAEOP Annual Scholarship and the Marjorie R. Steward Scholarship. These scholarships will be awarded to two high school seniors who desire to continue their educational careers in the field of business education preferably as educational secretaries or administrative assistants. Financial need, scholastic ability, leadership, and extra curricular activities will be considered. Applications are available in the Career Center. The deadline is February 13.

The Albert and Helen Meserve Memorial Scholarship Program –– Scholarships are being offered to residents of Newtown and nine other surrounding towns. First preference will be given to high school seniors planning to enroll in a full-time postsecondary school leading to a degree in the environmental sciences; second preference to high school graduates enrolled or planning to enroll in an environmental science degree program; third preference to high school seniors planning to enroll in a postsecondary school. A course of environmental studies includes, but is not limited to: agriculture, animal husbandry, ecological studies, forestry, or marine sciences. Forms are available in the Career Center. Deadline to mail the form requesting the application is February 1.

Project Friendship Scholarships –– A total of $20,000 in scholarships will be awarded to two winners from each of the state’s eight counties. The awards will range form $1,000 to $3,000 each with two winners from each county. The criteria will be based on academic achievement, leadership, and community service or volunteer work that promotes a safe and friendly environment. Academic achievement means a good scholastic record with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Deadline is March 15.

McDonald’s “Serve Your Community” Scholarship Program –– McDonald’s New York Tri-State Restaurant Owners will award students who have made a difference in their communities through community service. The program awards five $5,000 scholarships to high school seniors in the New York tri-state area who have consistently demonstrated leadership, a helping hand, and exemplary community service. Students must be high school seniors who will attend college in the fall semester of 2004. The application requires a 300-word essay on “How they bring the McDonald’s mantra of giving back to the community to life.” Applications are available in the Career Center or at www.mcdonaldsny.metro.com. Deadline is February 1.