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.bbg.org or 703-276-0100.

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

KFC Colonel’s Scholars Program — The KFC Colonel’s Scholars Program is looking for outstanding graduating high school seniors with financial need and entrepreneurial spirit to qualify for its national scholarship program. Applicants must enroll in a public college or university in September 2009 in their state of residence to pursue a bachelor’s degree. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, meet a GPA minimum of 2.75, and be US citizens or permanent residents. The application process is online at www.kfcscholars.org and will become active on December 1. All students must apply by February 10.

Toyota Community Scholars Program —The Toyota Community Scholars program is designed to provide financial support and encouragement to high school seniors who demonstrate a commitment to academic excellence and a willingness to contribute to the betterment of their schools and their communities. Scholarship winners will receive renewable awards for $2,500–$5,000 for college study. One senior will be nominated from Newtown High School for this year’s competition. The applicant must be a US citizen, national, or permanent resident, and plan to pursue a four-year undergraduate degree in the United States (children or grandchildren of employees of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, and Lexus dealer principals are not eligible). Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or better and be actively involved in a service organization or project that has made a positive impact on the school and/or community. Interested students should complete an application (available in the Career Center) and turn in the application to Mrs Latowicki in the Career Center by November 19 in order to be considered for a nomination. Information is available at www.toyota.com/communityscholars.

Weller Education Scholarship — The purpose of this $4,000 scholarship is to recognize and financially assist a high school senior planning to pursue a career teaching in public or private elementary or secondary schools. Financial need is not a factor in determining the award recipient. Applicants must be seniors who are full-time students at either Joel Barlow, Masuk, Newtown, Shelton, or Trumbull High Schools. An original essay is required. All completed applications must be submitted to Mrs. Latowicki in the Career Center by Monday, February 23.

Weller Medical/Health Sciences Scholarship — The Weller Foundation provides financial assistance to a local high school senior who has chosen a course of study in the field of medical/health sciences. The scholarship award totals $6,000 or 50 percent of the cost of tuition for the training program, whichever is less. Health care careers acceptable under this program are nursing, therapy, medical technology, paramedics, and other licensed health care workers who provide one-on-one care to people. Programs leading to MD or PhD degrees are not acceptable. Qualified applicants must be full-time students from Newtown, Masuk, Joel Barlow, Shelton, or Trumbull High Schools. Financial need is not a factor in determining the award recipient. The Career Center has applications. Applications must be submitted to Mrs Latowicki in the Career Center by February 23.

Kay Wyrick Scholarship — The Foster Adoptive Mission will award one $1,000 scholarship to a high school senior from the greater Waterbury, Torrington, or Danbury areas in memory of Kay Wyrick, outstanding volunteer and child advocate. Students should have been in foster care for one consecutive year at some point in their lives. Applicants should have a GPA of B and be a person of color, preferably African American or of African ancestry. Students should plan to major in a related field to working with children in the community and be accepted to an accredited postsecondary program of study. Applications are available by downloading from the Naviance program. The deadline is April 1.

American Dream Scholarships — TD Bank will award 225 nonrenewable scholarships of $1,000 to graduating high school seniors in its service areas. Applicants must plan to enroll in an accredited full-time undergraduate program of study at a two- or four-year college, university, or vocational technical school. A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) along with demonstrated involvement in community service, school activities and/or employment responsibilities are required. Scholarship recipients are selected on the basis of academic record, goals and aspirations, demonstrated leadership, participation in community service and/or school activities, work experience, unusual circumstances and an outside appraisal. Financial need is not a factor. Additional information is available at www.TDBank.com/AmericanDream. All applications must be postmarked by December 15.

Guardian Girls Going Places Entrepreneurship Program — This annual scholarship award program is open to girls ages 12–18 who are community minded and have demonstrated budding entrepreneurship. Essays will be judged by a panel of qualified judges selected by the sponsor to determine finalists and winners according to the following criteria: emerging entrepreneurship; steps toward financial independence. Awards include one $10,000 prize, one $5,000 prize, one $3,000 prize and 12 $1,000 prizes. Information is available at www.guardianlife.com. Applications must be completed by February 27 and can be downloaded from the website.

Weller Computer Science/Technology Scholarship — The purpose of this scholarship is to encourage and financially assist a high school senior upon graduation who is planning to major in and have a career in computer science or computer engineering. Applicants must be seniors who are full-time students at Joel Barlow, Masuk, Newtown, Shelton, or Trumbull High Schools and must remain full-time students for the entire year. There is a minimum GPA of 3.3 out of 4.0 or 4.1 out of a possible 5.0. Applicants must be US citizens, nationals, or permanent residents. Applications are available in the Career Center. All completed applications must be submitted to Mrs Latowicki in the Career Center by February 23. Do not mail. A personal interview with the judges is required on April 6. There are other requirements as well as noted in the application materials.

Weller~Vincent Voccia Vocational Award — The Weller Foundation supports local students planning a career in the skilled trades. High school seniors who are full-time students from Newtown, Joel Barlow, Masuk, Shelton, or Trumbull High Schools may be considered. Each participating school will be eligible for one recipient to receive a scholarship equal to the lesser of $2,500 or 50 percent cost of tuition or fees of the vocational technical program proposed. Examples of eligible programs are auto/truck maintenance, aircraft maintenance, air conditioning/refrigeration, plumbing and fitting, culinary arts, machine design (CAD), carpentry, barbering/hairdressing, masonry, electrical or electronic technicians, photography and secretarial. The applicant shall demonstrate interest and talent in his/her chosen field. Financial need will not be a factor in determining the award recipient. Applications are available in the Career Center. Applications must be submitted to Mrs Latowicki in the Career Center by March 16. Do not mail.