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.

Full details on all scholarships are available at the high school Career Center.

SAMMY Scholarships — America’s Milk Processors in partnership with USA Today will recognize 25 graduating high school student athletes throughout the nation with $7,500 scholarships for their achievements in academics, athletics, community service, and leadership. Winners will also receive an all-expense-paid trip to Disney World. Teachers, coaches, principals, guidance counselors, athletic directors and relatives are encouraged to nominate a student athlete for the SAMMY 2010 Awards. As part of t,he Nomination Form, each applicant will be required to write an essay of no more than 250 words. Applicants must register and apply at www.bodybymilk.com by March 5.

Discover Scholarship Program — The Discover Scholarship Program is for high school juniors to applaud exemplary accomplishments and to support continued education and training beyond high school. The scholarships can be used for any type of posthigh school education or training or certification, licensing, two- or four-year trade and technical school, or two- or four-year college. To be eligible, a junior must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 and excel in three areas: leadership, community service, and obstacles overcome. All applications must be submitted by January 31. Go to www.discoverfinancial.com/community/scholarship.shtml for all details.

Young Epidemiology Scholars Competition (YES) — This national competition is open to high school juniors and seniors who are United States citizens who conduct an outstanding research project that applies epidemiological methods of analysis to a health-related issue. Scholarship awards will range from $1,000 in the semifinal round to up to $50,000 for the top two national winners. Applicants must register online at collegeboard.com and then link to the YES Competition Registration From. Written reports of research projects must be uploaded by February 1. Interested students should go to www.collegeboard.com/yes for complete details.

United States JCI Senate Foundation Scholarship Program — The Connecticut JCI (Jaycees) Senate awards two $500 scholarships from graduating Connecticut high school seniors. The top state candidates will be considered for $1,000 awards at the national level. Last year 20 $1,000 scholarships were awarded. These scholarships are for students who plan to continue their education at accredited postsecondary colleges, university or vocational schools. Applications are available online at ctjcisenate.org/ctjcisenate-scholarship_info.htm. All materials must be completed by December 21.

Union Plus Scholarships — The children of American Federation of Teachers members or other unions are eligible for scholarship awards ranging from $500 to $3,000. Awards will be based on academic achievement and potential, character, leadership, social awareness, career goals, and financial need. All applications include a verification of union membership Applications are available at www.unionplus.org/benefits/education/scholarships. The deadline is January 30.

Walmart Scholarships — Walmart has four distinct national scholarship programs for graduating high school seniors. The scholarships range from $1,000 renewable scholarships to $10,000 awards paid out over four years of college study. Three scholarship programs are open to employees or their dependents. The last program is open to applicants without an employment connection to Walmart and is called the Sam Walton Community Scholarship. These are for $3,000 or more to graduating high school seniors and are based on demonstrated need, academic achievements and records, school and community activities, and leadership. Complete information is available at www.walmartfoundation.org. All applications are due by January 29.

DuPont Challenge Science Essay Awards Competition — Students in grades 7 through 12 who are U.S. citizens are eligible to participate in this annual science essay contest. Essays must be between 700 to 1,000 words discussing a scientific discovery, theory, event, or technology application. The top prize in each category is an all-expense paid trip to Walt Disney World and Kennedy Space Center. Complete details are available at www.thechallenge.dupont.com. All submissions are due by January 31.

John F. Kennedy Profile In Courage Essay Contest — All high school students are eligible to participate in this essay contest which requires a 1,000-word essay that is original, creative, and demonstrates an understanding of political courage as described by John F. Kennedy in Profiles In Courage. Specific requirements are available at the website. The top prize is $10,000 ($5,000 in cash and $5,000 in a savings plan); second prize is $1,000, and there are five $500 honorable mentions. All students must have a “nominating” teacher. Complete information and online registrations are available at www.jfkcontest.org. All students must register online but submissions may be online or by mail. The deadline is January 9.

AXA Achievement Community Scholarship — Every branch office of AXA Advisors will award up to 12 scholarships of $2,000 to local high school seniors in cooperation with Scholarship America. Applications can be obtained at www.axa-achievement.com. Applicants are asked to describe an outstanding achievement they have accomplished in a nonacademic 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. Primary consideration will be given to demonstrated achievement in a nonacademic area and supported by the appraisal completed by an adult who is not related to the applicant. 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. Details are available at www.axa-achievement.com. The deadline is February 15.

Gift of Green Scholarship — Newtown High School graduating seniors are encouraged to apply for two $1,500 scholarships (one for a boy and one for a girl) to be awarded to the individuals who can best demonstrate through a suggested plan of action, the five ideas for the school to implement over the next two years for energy savings. The ideas should target areas of waste, how to improve upon them, their implantation plans, and the projected monetary savings. The award of $1,000 will be paid directly to the educational institution and $500 will be paid to the student. All applicants must be accepted and subsequently enroll at an institute of higher learning. Applicants may be contacted for a personal interview as part of the selection process. All details and applications may be downloaded from Naviance. The deadline is February 15.

American Museum of Natural History Young Naturalist Awards — Students plan their own scientific expedition project and submit an essay with their findings for this national contest. Two winners from each grade will be selected to receive cash awards ($1,000–$2,500) and travel to New York City for an all-expense-paid trip to attend the award ceremony at the Museum and take a behind-the-scenes tour. Details are available at www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/youngnaturalistawards/select.html. This competition is open to seventh and eighth graders and all high school grades. The contest closes on March 1.

Proton Energy Scholarships — This scholarship will recognize and award high school seniors who demonstrate outstanding achievement, excellence, and promise in the field of science or technology and who plan to study in this field. Four-year undergraduate scholarships with a total value of $100,000 will be awarded as well as honorable mentions of $500 each. Applicants are evaluated on: outstanding academic performance, ability and promise; commitment to further education and a career in a science or technology related field; strength of application; demonstrated leadership, work ethic, and community involvement; financial need. Interested students should go to www.protonenergyscholarship.org for additional information. Applications are due by February 10. Winners will be announced on April 15.