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.

The American Academy of Chefs — The American Academy of Chefs (AAC) will award a limited number of scholarships, based on the availability of institutional and private funds. To be considered by the scholarship committee, an application must meet the following requirements: be an exemplary student by having or maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher; be a high school senior eligible to graduate the same year as the scholarship application date; be currently accepted to an accredited, postsecondary college, with a major in either culinary or pastry arts, or be an ACF registered apprentice; and have a career goal of becoming a chef or pastry chef.

Please note, funds will be awarded after the student has completed one grading period at the postsecondary college. Proof of completion in the form of a transcript or semester grades must be submitted to AAC Scholarship committee via fax or mail before scholarship funds are released to the student. Applicants will be evaluated on a 100 point scale; refer to the website www.acfchefs.org for specific criteria. Selection will be based on student’s overall academic progress, financial need, extracurricular participation in culinary activities, competitions and answers to essay questions. All application materials must be postmarked no later than March 31.

Davidson College Scholarship — Davidson College invites high schools from across the country to nominate outstanding students with extraordinary potential to compete for the John Montgomery 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 six Belk Scholars will be selected, each receiving an annually renewable scholarship covering tuition and comprehensive fees. Nominations for the Belk Scholarship must be submitted by November 15. Refer to the website at www.davidson.edu for requirements and nomination form.

Voice of Democracy Scholarship Competition — The Voice of Democracy scholarship program, sponsored by Veterans of Foreign Wars, is an audio-essay contest for high school students in grades 9 through 12. The national first-place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college, or vocational/technical school. Students are required to draft an essay based on this year’s theme: “Does My Generation Have a Role in America’s Future?” Students should then record their reading of the draft to a CD, not to exceed five minutes. Entries begin at the local VFW Post level. The essay and audio recording should be submitted with the Voice of Democracy entry form to their local VFW Post no later than November 1. Other national scholarships range from $1,000 to $16,000 and the first-place winner from each state VFW Department wins an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C. Refer to the website www.vfw.org for details.