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.

Park Scholar Awards — The Park Scholar Awards cover the full cost of attendance at the Roy H. Park School of Communications at Ithaca College. The awards are renewable for a total of four years. The requirements include an application, essays, resume, three letters of recommendation, and transcript. Complete details are available at Ithaca.edu/ParkScholars. The application deadline is January 15.

CASIA Police/Fire Scholarship Awards — The Connecticut Alarm and Systems Integrators Association will award a $1,000 scholarship and one for $500 to qualified graduating seniors from Connecticut. The first place winner will also qualify for national awards. Eligible students must have a father, mother. or natural guardian who is a full-time employee (not on disability or retired) of the Connecticut police or fire communities (volunteers included). Students who are volunteers themselves, but not the child of a firefighter, are not eligible.

An essay of 500-750 words based on the theme, “What it means to ME to have my parent or guardian involved in securing our community” is required as well as an official high school transcript. The Career Center has applications and the application deadline is March 8.

Miss Greater Watertown Scholarship Program — This scholarship program is available to young women between the ages of 17 and 24 who will have graduated from high school by July 1. It is an official preliminary competition to the Miss Connecticut Scholarship Program, which is a part of the Miss America Pageant system. This area contest is open to young women from Bethlehem, Lakeside, Middlebury, Morris, Newtown, Oakville, Roxbury, Southbury, Thomaston, Washington Depot, Watertown, and Woodbury. Contestants must be US citizens.

The organization looks for well-rounded individuals who believe in the betterment of our youth and the community. Prospective contestants are expected to attend weekly rehearsals to prepare for the competition that will be held in mid-February. Each contestant must also prepare “An Issue of Concern” for which she would be an activist during her year of service, if she were awarded the title of Miss Greater Watertown 2010. The Career Center has contestant registration forms.

PEO Star Scholarship — The PEO Star Scholarship is a $2,500 nonrenewable award for high school senior girls to be used in the academic year following graduation. At the discretion of the recipient, funds may be paid directly to the recipient or to the accredited educational institution.

To be eligible, girls should exhibit excellence in academics, leadership, extracurricular activities, community service and potential for future success. Applicants must also be US citizens.The Career Center has application packets. All materials must be received at the local PEO Chapter by November 15.

Principal’s Leadership Award — The Principal’s Leadership Award is a national award program which recognizes outstanding student leaders. Scholarships will be awarded to honor outstanding student leaders from across the country with awards from $1,000 to $12,000 each.

Winners are selected on the basis of their leadership skills, participation in service organizations and clubs, achievements in the arts and sciences, employment experience, and academic record. Students are also required to write an essay.

Interested students should complete a nomination form online at principals.org/PLA after reading all instructions concerning eligibility and criteria. Print out the completed form and hand deliver to Mrs Latowicki in the Career Center by November 18 in order to be considered for the nomination from NHS. The school will forward one nomination by the posted deadline date of December 4.

Marist National Science Foundation (NSF) Scholarships — Marist College, through a joint effort with the National Science Foundation (NSF), is awarding 12 full scholarships (tuition, room and board) to highly talented students majoring in computer science or information technology and systems.

The criteria for selection includes strength of curriculum and academic performance throughout high school; standardized test scores; supplemental essay; interview with dean and/or faculty from the School of Computer Science and Mathematics; meeting demonstrated financial need requirements; proof of US citizenship or permanent residency; and declaration of computer science or information technology and systems as a program of study and full-time enrollment at Marist starting in the fall of 2010.

Students should check the box labeled National Science Foundation Scholarship Program on the online application and apply as early as possible, no later than February 15. Potential NSF Scholarship recipients will be identified once an admission decision has been finalized.

Additional information is available at marist.edu/NSFGrant.