Newtown High School Lists Scholarships That Are Available

The 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 that he or she first 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.bbg.org or 703-276-0100.

James Diaz Memorial Video Contest — The Cable Advisory Council in cooperation with Charter Communications is sponsoring a contest for original VHS films of three to eight minutes in length produced by amateurs and students. The entries will be judged on originality, creativity, and effective communication of technical values including lighting, sound, image quality, and overall production quality. The top prize in the student category (ages 14–18) is $500. Entries will be accepted from residents of the Charter Communications service area. Tapes are due by January 9.

American Museum of Natural History Young Naturalist Awards — The museum sponsors a research-based essay competition for middle and high school students based on the theme “Scientific Discovery Begins with Expeditions!” The winning scholarship awards are $2,000 and $2,500 for high school juniors and seniors, respectively. The competition rules and entry materials are available at www. amnh.org/nationalcenter/youngnaturalistawards. Entries must be completed by May 1.

Connecticut Association of Educational Office Professionals — The CAEOP will award one $750 scholarship to encourage deserving high school seniors to continue their educational careers in the field of business education, preferably as educational secretaries or administrative assistants. Financial need, scholastic ability, leadership and extracurricular activities will be considered. The deadline is February 13.

Discover Card Tribute Award Scholarship Program — A national scholarship program that provides up to ten $25,000 scholarships and up to 300 $2,500 scholarships. The program honors the all-around accomplishments of juniors in their community as well as school. Juniors with a minimum 2.75 GPA are eligible. Information and applications are available at www.discovercard.com/tribute.htm. The deadline is January 31.

Kaplan/Newsweek “My Turn” Essay Competition — High school seniors who will continue their education are eligible to enter a national essay contest where the top prize is a $5,000 scholarship. Runner-up prizes of at least $1,000 will be awarded for the other top nine essays. The written work must be original and factually accurate of between 500 and 1,000 words. For more information visit www.newsweek.edu. All entries are due by March 1.

Bodhan Kolinsky Memorial Scholarship — The Connecticut Sports Writers’ Alliance will award a minimum of $1,000 to a high school senior from Connecticut who plans attend a four-year college for studies leading to a career in sports journalism in the print media. The winner may apply annually for renewal of the grant. Application forms are available at www.ctsportsriters.org and must be completed by February 1.