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.

University of Notre Dame – Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program — Notre Dame recently established the Hesburgh-Yusko Scholars Program, a merit-based scholarship and leadership development program designed to equip students to have a transformational impact on the world. All candidates are evaluated according to four criteria: distinguished academic accomplishments, exemplary moral character, demonstrated leadership abilities, and a sincere commitment to service. In addition to $25,000 per year, scholars will participate in four fully funded summer enrichment programs. Interested students should see Mrs. Latowicki in the NHS Career Center to initiate the nomination process. The application for the Class of 2016 is available online at www.hesburgh-yusko.org and is due November 15. Students interested in the program should apply via early action to the University by November 1. The website details the overall selection process and criteria.

CL&P Live Green-Win Green Competition — The Live Green-Win Green competition is sponsored by Connecticut Light & Power and challenges students to develop a video and essay showcasing the changes students are making to conserve energy and make their school environmentally friendly. To be eligible, a student and school consent form must be completed. The grand prize is a $20,000 grant awarded to the winning high school. Three honorable mentions will also be announced and these winning schools receive a $5,000 grant. Entries will be accepted online between February 13 and 29. Complete rules, guidelines, and consent forms can be found on the contest website, www.clpenviornments.com/LiveGreenWinGreen.php.

Milton Fisher Scholarship for Innovation & Creativity — This scholarship rewards and encourages local students with exceptional innovation and creative problem-solving skills. Students who have solved artistic, scientific, or technical problems in new or unusual ways or students who have come up with distinctive solutions to problems faced by their schools, communities, or families should consider this scholarship. Academic and extracurricular information play an important secondary role in helping the committee get a fuller picture of the applicant, but these are not the basis on which the scholarship is awarded. Financial need does not affect the judges’ decision about winning projects, but it does determine the amount each winner of the four-year scholarship receives. High school juniors and seniors and college freshman from Connecticut and New York City are eligible. The website has complete details about the application process and includes some information about projects that have won in previous years. Students should download applications directly from www.rbffoundation.org. All applications must be postmarked by April 30.

Big Y Scholarship Program — Big Y awards more than 300 scholarships totaling more than $250,000 to high school seniors, undergraduates, graduates, community college, and nontraditional students (students not of traditional college age). All scholarships recognize academic merit and achievement and are awarded to the most outstanding students in the Big Y market area. Applications are available in the Career Center file or refer to the scholarship section of the website for more applications and information, www.bigy.com. The application must be complete and all supporting documents must be postmarked by February 1.

Davidson College–Belk Scholarship — A candidate’s record and recommendations must demonstrate purposeful engagement in the classroom, with student and civic organizations, on the athletic field, or in the arts. While academic achievement is paramount, Belk Scholars also exhibit intellectual curiosity and a commitment to both their local and global communities. Up to eight Belk Scholars will be selected, each receiving an annually renewable scholarship covering tuition and comprehensive fees. In addition, each scholar receives two special study stipends up to $3,000 to pursue international study and other enrichment opportunities. Each school may nominate one student. Print out and complete the nomination form at www.davidson.edu/Belk and all required documentation (recommendation letter, transcript, and school profile) and hand deliver to Mrs Latowicki in the Career Center by October 27. Also, admission to Davidson College must be received by December 1. Refer to the website at www.davidson.edu/apply for admission details and requirements. NHS will forward one application by the posted deadline date of November 10.

Horatio Alger Scholarship — The Horatio Alger Scholarship offers opportunities to high school seniors who have financial need and have exhibited integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity. Applicants should demonstrate involvement in co-curricular and community activities and have a minimum grade point average of 2.0. Online applications must be submitted by October 30 at www.horatioalger.org/scholarships. Guidance counselors must also complete an online certification form for the applicant to be eligible.

Angela M. Sequenzia Memorial Scholarship — The Greater Danbury USBC Bowling Association will award a $1,000 scholarship to a current female member, daughter, or granddaughter of a currently sanctioned member of the Greater Danbury USBC. The applicant must be a senior in high school who will enter an institution of higher learning in the summer or fall of the semester following graduation. The top three female candidates will be required to attend a personal interview. The application form is available online at www.greaterdanburyUSBC.org. The completed application with all required materials and typed essay must be postmarked by January 31.

Ryan M. Tlasky Memorial Scholarship — The Greater Danbury USBC Bowling Association will award a $1,000 scholarship to a current male member, son or grandson of a currently sanctioned member of the Greater Danbury USBC. The applicant must be a senior in high school who will enter an institution of higher learning in the summer or fall of the semester following graduation. The top three male candidates will be required to attend a personal interview. The application form is available online at www.greaterdanburyUSBC.org. The completed application with all required materials and typed essay must be postmarked by January 31.

AXA Achievement Scholarship — The AXA Foundation will award a one-time $10,000 scholarship to a high school senior from Connecticut and ten scholarships of $15,000 to national qualifiers. Applicants should be ambitious, with the determination and the drive to succeed and have demonstrated achievement, i.e., starting a food bank or through a job, sport, or extracurricular activity. To apply, download an application from the website www.axa-achievement.com. Only electronic applications will be considered. Apply early! Your application must be one of the first 12,000 submitted electronically by 11:59 pm CST on December 1.

AXA Achievement Community Scholarships — The AXA Achievement Community Scholarship program offers $2,000 college scholarships to high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their activities in school, the community, or the workplace. Every AXA Advisors branch office will award up to 12 scholarships of $2,000. Applicants are asked to describe an outstanding achievement 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 the applicant’s demonstrated achievement in a nonacademic area as reported by the applicant and supported by the appraisal completed by an adult who is not related to the applicant. Refer to the website for online application details, www.axa-achievement.com. Your application must be one of the first 12,000 submitted electronically by 11:59 pm CST on February 1 to be considered.

Mary Benevento Scholarship — The scholarship sponsor, The Connecticut Association for Health, Physical Education, Education, Recreation and Dance sponsors, awards $1,000 to a Connecticut high school senior planning to engage in the professional studies of teaching school health, physical education, recreation, or dance. The application process includes an essay describing the applicant’s educational objectives and qualifications for the scholarship. Refer to the website for the application and details, www.ctahperd.org. Mail application materials to: Janice Skene, CTAHPERD Scholarship Chair, Eastbury School, 1389 Neipsic Road, Glastonbury CT 06033 by April 1.