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.

DAR Good Citizen Program — The DAR Citizen Program honors a local male or female senior who demonstrates good citizen qualities such as dependability, leadership, patriotism, and service. Each state winner receives an award in the amount of at least $250. The national winner will be invited to Washington, D.C., and awarded a $5,000 scholarship.

Applicants must complete the required essay in the presence of a faculty member or DAR member within a two-hour time limit. Essay topic will be revealed at the time of writing. The essay will be administered on October 28 at 8:30 am in the Career Center.

Completed applications, which are available at the Career Center, must be returned to Mrs Latowicki by Monday, October 25.

Princeton Prize in Race Relations — The Princeton Prize in Race Relations is a $1,000 cash award for high school students of any grade from selected regions across the US who are doing outstanding work in their schools or communities to advance the cause of race relations. Princeton Prize winners will also be invited to an all-expense-paid trip to Princeton University to attend the Princeton Prize Symposium on Race next spring. This year the Princeton Prize is being offered in 23 locations across the United States. The website www.princeton.edu/pprize has examples of noteworthy activities and the application. Apply by January 31.

The Barton L. Weller Scholarship — Any senior attending Newtown, Joel Barlow, Masuk, Shelton, or Trumbull High School on a full-time basis is eligible for this scholarship. The award is $12,000 and the requirements consist of a five-month original independent research or study project of the student’s choice.

All students who plan to participate must see Mrs Latowicki in the Guidance Department before starting their project proposal. Proposals are due Monday, October 11. Students selected as finalists will receive $200 to help defray expenses. The rules and project calendar are contained in the pamphlet available in the Career Center.

Emory University Scholars Program — Emory Scholar awards span four years of undergraduate study and range from two-thirds of tuition to full tuition, room, board, and fees. A high school may nominate up to four outstanding seniors.

The complete application must arrive in the Emory Office by November 15. In January, the scholar selection committee will select approximately 371 semifinalists, who will learn of their admission to Emory at that time. From that pool, approximately 70 finalists will interview at Emory from March 23 to 26. Attendance at these interviews is required. Emory will cover the finalists’ travel expenses. Selection is not contingent upon financial need.

Boston University’s Trustee Scholars Program — The Trustee Scholars Program is the university’s most prestigious scholarship. Outstanding high school seniors are eligible for nomination. Each BU Trustee Scholar receives a renewable scholarship covering full tuition and fees. All application and nomination materials must be received by December 1. Students who are nominated but not selected will be considered for other BU scholarships, grants, and loans based on application and eligibility. BU has many other full-tuition scholarship opportunities as well; check the website www.bu.edu, search Trustee Scholars, for more information.

Gates Millennium Scholars Program — This national scholarship program provides an opportunity for outstanding students with significant financial need to complete an undergraduate college education. An applicant must be an ethnic minority (African American, Asian Pacific Islander American, American Indian/Alaskan Native, or Hispanic American), and be a citizen/legal permanent resident or US national, have attained a cumulative GPA of 3.3 at the time of nomination (on a 4.0 unweighted scale), be entering a US college or university full time, have demonstrated leadership abilities and meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility criteria.

The website www.gmsp.org has complete information about the application process/forms and it is strongly advised to complete all parts of the application online. Online applications must be submitted by January 10 at 11:59 pm EST or postmarked on or before January 10.

The PEO Star Scholarship — The PEO Star Scholarship is a $2,500 nonrenewable award for a female high school senior. The award is eligible for the academic year following graduation. Applicants should exhibit excellence in academics (minimum 3.0 GPA), leadership, extracurricular activities, and community service. Applicants must forward their resume to Mrs Ladowicki in the Career Center by October 22. After resume reviews and interviews, PEO will identify one candidate and support her in the application process which consists of providing: student profile, list of activities, an essay, two letters of reference and transcript during the month of November.

Skidmore College Filene Music Scholarship — The Filene Scholarship at Skidmore College provides a special opportunity for musically gifted students with high academic aspirations. The annual award is $10,000 per year for four years plus the cost of private lessons.

Applicants must apply for admission by January 15. Filene Scholars need not major in music. However, they must continue to develop their skills each semester through private instruction in the Music Department and participate in ensembles. CDs should be postmarked by January 15. Acceptance of finalist status indicates a commitment to compete in the final round at Skidmore College on April 9.

Stamford Symphony Orchestra Scholarship Competition — Open to Connecticut high school seniors, applicants for this music performance scholarship must intend to continue studies on their instruments at accredited conservatories, colleges or universities. . Applicants must submit a completed application packet and a professional audio recording. The deadline for applications is December 1. Finalists will be notified on December 20 and the competition final performance will be on Sunday, January 23.

Washington University Danforth Scholars Program — This scholarship program is open to prospective undergraduates applying to Washington University. Applicants will be considered from nominations only; students may not apply directly for the program. This is a merit-based program, but financial need will be considered as part of the award process. Nominations must be received by October 15.