Financial Aid and Scholarship Sources and Opportunities
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Scholarship Links
Financial Aid Basics
Financial Aid is generally broken into two categories: need based and merit.
Merit based aid is awarded to students who meet special academic criteria. Notice of these awards can be found on individual college web-sites on on special web-sites as noted above.
Need based aid is awarded by a college based on the demonstrated need shown by an applicant's family. Need based financial awards may include grants (which do not have to be paid back), loans (which have structured payback terms) and work study.
Visit the FINANCIAL AID WEB-SITE www.FederalStudentAid.ed.gov to learn more about the process and check out the estimator of need. Seniors should complete the FAFSA Online beginning January 1 of their senior year. Once the form is completed on line, it must be sent to the applicant's colleges by their individually designated deadlines.
Scholarship Opportunities
THE SUNFLOWER INITIATIVE
Eligibility: Academically motivated young woman attending a woman's college
Award: $10,000
Deadline: March 15, 2012
For more information visit www.thesunflowerinitiative.com
MY SISTER'S KEEPER
Eligibility: Applicant must be a graduating senior with a 3.0 or greater GPA and proof of community service activities.
Award: up to $1000 annually
Deadline: March 31, 2012
Applications are available in the College/Career Center
LEGACY OF LIFE
Eligibility: Applicant must be a senior who resides and attend high school in the Washington metro area and plans to attend a college or university in the fall.Applicant must submit a persuasive essay of no more than 1,000 words on the theme "Organ & Tissue donation: Persuade Someone to Give the Gift of a Lifetime".
Award: $5,000 scholarship first place, $3,000 scholarship second place, $1,000 Honorable Mention (6 awards)
Deadline: March 31, 2012
For more information www.beadonor.org/scholarship
GRAM'S PROMISE
Eligibility: Applicant must be a seniors who is tobacco-free and has demonstrated a commitment to anti-smoking advocacy.
Award: $1,000
Deadline: April 27, 2012
For more information visit www.gramspromisefoundation.org
ELKS SCHOLARSHIPS
Eligibility: varies but is need based with an emphasis on leadership
Award: varies between $1,000 and $15,000
Deadlines: vary
For more information visit www.elks.org/enf/scholars
APIASF Scholarship
Eligibility: Applicant must be of Asian or Pacific Island descent
Award: Varies
Deadlines: Vary
Visit www.apiasf.org for more information.
NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF PROFESSIONAL HISPANICS NRCS EMPLOYEES (NOPHNRCSE) SCHOLARSHIP
Eligibility: Applicant must be a graduating high school senior planning to attend an accredited college or university. The applicant must demonstrate integrity, ability, and competence in work and show interest in pursuing a career in Natural Resources Conservation. A minimum GPA of 2.75 on the 4.0 scale is required.
Award: two $1,000 awards
Deadline: April 2, 2012
Visit http://www.nophnrcse.org
JEAN BIRD SCHOLARSHIP sponsored by the Women's Board of Montgomery General Hospital
Eligibility: Applicant must be a US citizen and resident of the State of Maryland who is actively pursuing an education in nursing or allied health field. Awards will be made on the basis of financial need, academic achievement, and a goal of pursuing a healthcare career.
Award: not specified but is renewable for four years.
Deadline: March 14, 2012
More information can be located at www.montgomerygeneral.org/Scholarship
XI SIGMA OMEGA CHAPTER OF ALPHA KAPPA ALPHA SORORITY, INC.-Sponsored scholarships
GOLDEN SOROR SCHOLARSHIP-Applicant must plan to attend an Historically Black College or University
OLA CARTER BERRY SCHOLARSHIP-need based scholarship
FEDERAL WATER QUALITY ASSOCIATION (FWQA)
Eligibility: Applicants must be graduating high school seniors preparing for career in environmental protection by attending a four year undergraduate program.
Award: Four $2,000 scholarships
Deadline: April 16, 2012
Applications are available in the College/Career Center
JEWISH SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY SCHOLARSHIPS
Eligibility: Need based scholarships open to all Montgomery County high school seniors. There are scholarships available to students in the Jewish Community.
Awards: Eight $6,000 scholarships
Deadline:May 4, 2012
For more information visit www.jssa.org under category of "Find a Service"
KIDS' CHANCE OF MARYLAND
Eligibility: Need based scholarship for college age children of catastrophically injured or deceased workers.
Awards: Vary
Deadline: None
For information and applications vist www.kidschance-md.org
DWIGHT P. JACOBUS SCHOLARSHIPS
Eligibility: Applicant must be a resident of Maryland or DC, be accepted for admission as a full-time student to a college, demonstrate financial need and have a 3.0 GPA.
Applicant must be pursuing a career in Business or Education at an institution of higher education in Maryland or DC.
Awards: $1,000 and are renewable
Applications are available in the College/Career Center.
GENON/USHYEE (US HISPANIC YOUTH ENTREPRENEUR EDUCATION) SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Eligibility: Applicant must be a Hispanic graduating senior interested in pursuing a major in science, technology, engineering or mathematics field at a Maryland private or public college or university. Applicant must have a 2.75 GPA.
Award: $1,250 per year for four years
Deadline: May 14, 2012
Information and application can be found at www.ushyee.org/educationgrant.html
ALEX POPECK NEVER BACK DOWN SCHOLARSHIP
Eligibility: Applicant must be a graduating senior who notices and acts upon a challenge, injustice or need for change in their community, school or family.
Award: $2,000
Deadline: April 16, 2012
More information can be found at www.alexpopeckneverbackdown.org
BALTIMORE COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Eligibility: based on financial need, academic achievement, intended major OR current high school. Not all scholarships require Baltimore affiliation.
Awards: $500-$12,500, many are renewable.
Deadline: April 2, 2011
For more information visit www.bcf.org/scholarships
METROPOLITAN KAPPA YOUTH FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP
Eligibility:Applicant must be a graduating senior from Montgomery County, MD with volunteer and/or community service. The mission of the Foundation is to provide scholarships and mentoring programs for minority and disadvantaged youth in the Metropolitan Washington, DC area.
Award: No dollar amount specified
Deadline: March 15, 2012- Applications are available in the College/Career Center
MARYLAND PTA SCHOLARSHIP
Eligibility: Applicant must be committed to a career in education, demonstrate financial need and have a good academic (2.75 or above unweighted GPA).
Award: Minimum $500
Deadline: March 15, 2012 - Applications are available in the College/Career Center.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION AWARDS
Eligibility: Graduating seniors with academic potential who plan to attend Montgomery College. Students must have a minimum 2.5 GPA, demonstrate financial need and show evidence of academic motivation.
Award: varies
Deadline: March 15, 2012 but applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
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