The American Legion, an organization of wartime veterans, wrote "Need A Lift," a college financial aid handbook to help all students go as far as they can.  The handbook is filled with scholarships, grants, fee waivers, student loans, and the organizations that offer them.  There is a section in the books to help children of deceased and disabled veterans in their pursuit of higher education.

Each year, participants in the Oratorical Contest share $138,000 in college scholarships.

AmeriCorps membership is open to U.S. citizens or lawful residents age 17 and older.  Members serve full or part time over a 10- to 12- month period.  Upon successful completion of their service, members receive an AmeriCorps Education Award of up to $4,725 to pay for college or graduate school or to pay back qualified student loans.  During their service, members receive health coverage, training, and student loan deferment.  About half the members also receive a modest annual living allowance.

Apply by February 15, 2009

 Winners= known as AXA Achievers- are diverse but share these characteristics:

Ambition and drive

Determination to set and reach goals

Respect for self, family and community

Ability to succeed in college

Download an application for a $2,000 college scholarship

Essay must demonstrate grasp of the philosophic and psychological meaning of The Fountainhead.  More details available on the website.

It is with great pleasure that the HAVE IT YOUR WAY® Foundation will offer students this year’s 2010 BURGER KING® Scholars Program.  To date, we have granted more than $12.7 million in scholarships to graduating seniors throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.  In 2009 alone, we awarded $1,060,000.00 in scholarships.  We want to make a difference in the lives of these promising students, but we need your help to help us spread the word to your students.

BURGER KING® Scholars awards are $1,000 each and may be used for educational expenses, such as tuition fees and books, during the first year of college or post-secondary vocational/technical school.  For students to qualify, they must be a high school senior and a resident of the U.S., Canada or Puerto Rico that meets our criteria below.

Applications are available online Sept. 14, 2009 – Feb. 1, 2010.  Applications and all accompanying materials must be postmarked no later than Feb. 1, 2010.

The Charles J. Lewin Interfaith Scholarship Fund was established to provide scholarships to graduating High School Seniors of Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, and Plymouth counties.  The Fund provides scholarships ranging from $700.00 to $2,000.00.

Deadline is April 5, 2010

THE REVOLUTION BEGINS TODAY

Various scholarships...check out website for details.

The Christian Connector is a "one-stop-shop" for receiving free information from Christian colleges. We have over 100 Christian colleges and Bible colleges ready to send you information!  Completing the free information request form is like attending a huge Christian college fair without ever leaving home.  We also offer a $2,500.00 Christian college scholarship drawing.

$2,500.00 Christian College Scholarship Drawing
$1,000.00 Seminary & Graduate School Scholarship Drawing
$1,000.00 Christian Distance Learning Scholarship Drawing
$1,000.00 Missions Scholarship Drawing

With rising tuition costs, it is more and more difficult for students and their families to pay for a college education.  The Community Foundation's scholarships represent our donors' appreciable understanding of the role education plays in building a better community.   The Foundation is pleased to help fulfill donors' wishes as well as to increase the opportunities for students in Southeastern Massachusetts to pursue a higher education.  Some of the scholarship recipients are chosen by the fund's donors, some by schools, and others by the Community Foundation Scholarship Committee.

This scholarship program is available to high school juniors who have a minimum of 2.75 grade point average on a 4.0 scale for their 9^th and 10^th grades, have demonstrated accomplishments in leadership and community service and have faced a significant roadblock or challenge. Up to ten national scholarships of $25,000 each & 300 state scholarships of $2,500 each are given out each year.

Dunkin' Donuts franchisees in Rhode Island and Southeastern Massachusetts invite local high school seniors to apply for one of 100 scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each.  Applications are available on-line only and the application period will end on March 15, 2010.

The Elks National Foundation provides more than $3.64 million in college scholarships each year through its three scholarship programs. The application process and deadlines vary for each program. All applications must go through a local Elks Lodge before reaching the Elks National Foundation office. Contact your high school counselor for more information or your local Elks Lodge. .

• Most Valuable Student Scholarships 500 four-year scholarships, ranging from $1,000 per year to $15,000 per year, for graduating high school seniors based on financial need, leadership and scholarship.
• Legacy Awards $4,000 ($1,000 year for four years) merit-based scholarships for children and grandchildren of Elks who are members in good standing.
• Emergency Educational Grants One-year educational grants available to children of deceased or totally disabled Elks.

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Extensive information on merit- and nee-based scholarships and aid, information on transitioning to college, dorm life, and college budgeting.

Great Resources For Financing Your College Education

FIRE is looking for students to submit a well-written essay on freedom of speech on college campuses. 

First Place $5,000 college scholarship

Second Place $2,500 college scholarship

The Council of America's First Freedom announces their annual competition.  This is a national essay contest.  It is an opportunity to compete for up to $3,000 as they examine the First Amendment and the history and relevance of religious freedom in America and the world today.  Click on the website and on the red button under Council News for further information.

FreSch! has a database of over 5,000 organizations and foundations that offer scholarships, representing approximately 450,000 awards.

The Boston chapter of the National Association of Asian-American Professionals is once again proud to announce its Future Leader Awards competition.  The purpose of these awards is to recognize outstanding local high school seniors who have demonstrated academic achievement, leadership capacity, and community service within the Asian American community.  These awards are open to all Massachusetts high school seniors graduating in the spring of 2009.

Click on the "Committees" link and then select "Scholarship" or see Mrs. Pratt for an application.

The Girls Going Places Entrepreneurship Award Program is Guardian's annual initiative designed to reward the enterprising spirits of girls ages 12 to 18.  Guardian awards prizes to 15 girls who demonstrate budding entrepreneurship; are taking the first steps toward financial independence; make a difference in their schools and communities.  Prizes totaling $30,000 are granted to three top winners and 12 finalists each year, to further their entrepreneurial pursuits or save for college.

Short Answer:

My name is Josh Barsch, and I started this site to help students stop screwing up their scholarship applications and win more money.

Long Answer (but still pretty short): I’m the CEO of StraightForward Media, and our company has been awarding scholarships for a long time now. I’ve been a judge for those scholarships since we began the programs in 2003, and I’ve read thousands upon thousands of scholarship applications. And, I’m sorry to say, most of them are pretty bad.

A vast majority of students (I’m talking over 90%, at least) make stupid mistakes that disqualify their essays almost immediately. At first, it made me laugh (you know, in the “Man, these kids today…” sense), but soon enough it became a little depressing. I’d have a stack of scholarship essays that would take me hours to read, and it was exhausting to think that only a handful of them would be winner material.

 So I decided to do something about it. I wrote a short e-book on the subject, which was very helpful for the kids who bought it, but didn’t do much for the body of applicants as a whole. So I decided to put this website out there for everyone to use, for free. If you’d like to have all this information in a print book, you can buy it here if you want.

So look around as much as you like — the info is free and here for you to use. Use the navigation links at the top left to get around and find all of our tips, because there are a lot of them. If you have questions or comments, just leave them as blog comments and I’ll answer them as soon as possible. Enjoy!

The Collegiate Websource

• The Henry David Thoreau Foundation is dedicated to encouraging highly talented and academically successful young women and men to pursue undergraduate studies preparing them for leadership in advancing global health by protecting the environment and ensuring sustainable use of the world's natural resources.

• Each year, we award Henry David Thoreau Scholarships to outstanding Massachusetts high school seniors who are ready to meet the challenge of the ever-evolving, interdisciplinary field of environmental studies. 

• Application deadline is February 1 or your senior year.

• Win up to $20,000 Tuition Scholarship for Environmental Studies.

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The Horatio Alger Association seeks to assist students who have:

• enrolled full time as a high school student who will graduate in spring/summer 2009, with plans to enter college no later than the fall following graduation
• intends to pursue a bachelor's degree at an accredited institution
• critical financial need ($50,000 or less adjusted gross income per family is preferred, if higher explanation must be provided)
• involvement in co-curricular and community activities
• minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0, and
• be a United States citizen

APPLICATION DEADLINE:  October 30, 2010

The Howard M. & Mary C. Hayward Memorial Scholarship Fund was established to honor the memory of Howard and Mary Hayward who were outstanding Massachusetts agriculturists, land stewards, and devoted environmentalists.

Any graduating senior in the Bristol, Plymouth, Barnstable, Dukes and Nantucket counties who will be pursuing further education in agriculture, aquaculture or related science and entering college in the fall is eligible to apply.

Education Scholarships

Finding the Right Scholarship Award

Need help funding your career education? Imagine America's student scholarships can help you pay for college. The Foundation sponsors three career college scholarships: Imagine America for high school seniors, the Military Award Program (MAP) for military personnel, and the Adult Skills Education Program (ASEP). Each year, thousands of students are awarded scholarships through these programs to attend one of the more than 500 participating career colleges.

Scholarship Awards for High School Seniors

If you are a high school senior or recent high school graduate, you could be eligible to receive a $1,000 career education scholarship. Applying for this educational scholarship is easy! Submit an application for the Imagine America high school scholarship online today!

Education Grants for Military Personnel

Are you an active duty member or honorably discharged or retired veteran of the United States military looking to further your career education? The Foundation has education scholarship grants to help fund your education. Submit an application for the Military Award Program online today!

Adult Students Scholarships Award

For students 21 and over pursuing career education, the Foundation has education grants to assist you. Eligible applicants could receive a $1,000 award. Submit an application for the Adult Skills Education Award online today!

The Foundation provides more than a scholarship award – we help you find the path to a new career.

KFC Colonel's Scholars is looking for high school seniors with financial need and an entrepreneurial spirit to qualify for the KFC Colonel's Scholars Program.  Awards are up to $20,000 for tuition, fees, textbooks, room and board.

To qualify, graduating high school seniors must:

• Earn a minimum high school cumulative GPA of 2.75
• Enroll in a public college or university within their state of legal residence
• Plan to pursue a bachelor's degree
• Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
• Demonstrate financial need

The on line scholarship application will be available from December 1, 2009 to February 10, 2010

The Little Theatre of Fall River, Inc. invites qualified students to apply for their annual scholarship awards. 

The annual John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest invites high school students from across the nation to write an original essay about an elected official who has demonstrated political courage.  The contest is a companion program of the Profile in Courage Award, named for President Kennedy’s 1957 Pulitzer Prize-winning book, Profiles in Courage, which recounts the stories of eight senators, the obstacles they faced, and the special valor they demonstrated despite the risks.

Pay for College!

Millions in Scholarships

Available at the JA Student Center!

Will award one $5,000 and five regional $1,000 scholarships.

The Massachusetts AFL-CIO is pleased to announce the 50th Annual Scholarship Awards Program that is available to all seniors in high school throughout the Commonwealth of Massachusetts who are seeking higher education. 

The scholarship exam will consist of 40 'multiple choice" questions and one essay question with a response of 250-500 words.  The exam will be administered at NECA on February 6, 2008.

Students interested in taking the labor history exam on February 6, 2008 need to fill out an application which they may get from Mrs. Pratt or from the website and return the completed application to Mrs. Pratt no later than December 21, 2007.  Interested students should also download the study guide from the website. 

Andy McKelvey knows what it is to dream big - to have the vision, creativity and drive to convert a new idea into a thriving business. He also knows what it takes to make those dreams a reality.

That's why the McKelvey Foundation is honored to award $40,000 scholarships to young entrepreneurs nationwide who have started their own businesses.

Each scholar will be awarded up to $10,000 per year to attend any four-year college within the United States. Applicants will be required to meet scholarship criteria (below). Winners of the Entrepreneurial Scholarships will enjoy being part of a larger entrepreneurial networking community and will be given the opportunity to meet with other scholars during our summer e-Venture program.

Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority                           Pro-Student, Non-Profit

Straightforward advice about applying for and choosing college financing, innovative college savings plans for parents of young children preparing for future education expenses, free financial aid seminars.

Check out details on the website.

Pay for College

Finances should never stand in the way of an education. Here are some tools to help you determine costs, find scholarships, and use financial aid to your best advantage.

First time users should see Mrs. Pratt to get New England Christian Academy's  access code 

Ten colleges (among them Johnson & Wales, Kettering, C.W. Post, Northeastern, Pace, R.I.T., University of Cincinnati, University of Toledo and Wentworth) participate in the scholarship program.  To compete students must have a B+ or better high school average, must complete all the required admissions material for a school and be accepted for the 09-10 academic year. 

National Kidney Foundation has several scholarships to be awarded to a college bound student whose life has been directly impacted by Chronic Kidney Disease. 

 MS shouldn't stand in the way of an education!

Who is eligible?

• High school seniors who have a parent with MS who will be attending an accredited post secondary school for the first time.
• High school seniors who have MS and will be attending an accredited post secondary school for the first time.
• High school (or GED) graduates of any age who have MS and who will be attending an accredited post secondary school for the first time.
• High school (or GED) graduates of any age who have a parent with MS and who will be attending an accredited post secondary school for the first time.
• Applicants must be United States citizens or legal residents living in the U.S., Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam or any other U.S. territory and plan to enroll in an undergraduate course of study at an accredited two-or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school located in the U.S., PR, VI, Guam or any other U.S. territory. Applicants must be enrolled in at least six credit hours per semester in course work leading to a degree, license, or certificate.

Most Awards are between $1,000 and $3,000 although a limited number of awards may exceed this amount.

Apply now for the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation is accepting applications for the 2010 NFIB Young Entrepreneur Awards.  Beginning midnight, October 31 through 11:59 p.m., December 31, 2009, any high school senior graduating in 2010 may apply online for a chance to win a scholarship valued from $1,000-$10,000.

Eligible students: High school juniors and seniors age 16 and older and Undergraduate college students

About the Project on Student Debt

Mission

For Americans of all socio-economic backgrounds, borrowing has become a primary way to pay for higher education. The Project on Student Debt works to increase public understanding of this trend and the implications for our families, economy, and society. Recognizing that loans play a critical role in making college possible, the Project's goal is to identify cost-effective solutions that expand educational opportunity, protect family financial security, and advance economic competitiveness.

The Project on Student Debt is an initiative of the Institute for College Access & Success, a nonprofit independent research and policy organization dedicated to making college more available and affordable to people of all backgrounds.

For an idea of the amount you will owe to attend a college after your "expected contribution" check out this site.

Recognizing middle and high school students who have demonstrated exemplary community service.

Application Deadline is November 2, 2009

Dr. Seuss’s Oh, the Places You’ll Go! College Scholarship recognizes high school seniors who understand and value the limitless possibilities that education can offer with a scholarship award.

Assisting Rhode Island's students...

                     ...Investing in Rhode Island's Future

RIPA’s Aviation scholarships
Two aviation scholarships are awarded each May to qualified candidates wishing to pursue pilot flight training or a RIPA Scholarship Committee-approved aviation-related educational program.

High School seniors who excel academically, show exceptional leadership potential and make an impact on the community through service to others.  Student must be U.S. citizen or permanent resident, Black or African American. 

Ronald Reagan College Leaders Scholarship Program

Program Summary

In the summer of 1999, The Phillips Foundation announced the establishment of its annual Future Leaders Program (renamed the Ronald Reagan College Leaders Program effective academic year 2006-07) featuring renewable scholarships to college undergraduates who demonstrate leadership on behalf of the cause of freedom, American values and constitutional principles. The program pays tribute to President Ronald Reagan in recognition of his achievements on behalf of freedom, American values and constitutional principles, his optimism about America's future, and his faith in America's youth to protect and enhance the legacy of liberty entrusted to them. The Foundation awarded $217,000 in new and renewed scholarships in academic year 2009-2010 in amounts of $7,500, $5,000, $2,500 and $1,000.

The Ronald Reagan College Leaders Scholarship Program seeks to recognize outstanding young people who are promoting American values on college campuses. The scholarships are designed to alleviate the financial burdens associated with higher education, permitting the winners to devote more time both to pursuing their academic goals and advancing their leadership initiatives.

Deadline is December 1.

The Society of Automotive Engineers is offering a number of scholarships to qualified students who are interested in the filed of engineering or a related science (including math, chemistry, physics, biology, technologies,computer science).

Website by Ben Kaplan, who wrote the book How to Go to College Almost for Free. There is a copy of this book in the guidance office for students to borrow.

Scholarship Search Engine

The criteria for awarding scholarships are scholastic achievement, record of citizenship, aptitude for studies proposed, need for assistance, character and serious mindedness of applicant.  Renewable awards will range from $3,000 to $10,000.

Finding money for school just got easier

A reality check on how hard it might be to pay off that loan.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. is looking for 100 young men and women to become 2008 Toyota Community Scholars, and receive university/college scholarships valued at $10,000-$20,000.  If you are a high school senior with outstanding academic credentials, demonstrated school leadership, and a commitment to community service, contact Mrs. Pratt for details on how you can be nominated by N.E.C.A. for this exciting scholarship competition.

Regional information of undergraduate and graduate degree programs at New England public colleges and universities available with an out-of-state tuition break under the Regional Student Program to eligible residents of Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Upromise is offering a total of $250,000 to students.  That's 100 scholarships of $2,500 to each recipient.  The first 2,500 eligible applications will be considered so don't delay in applying before the February 25, 2008 deadline.

Additionally, we have a Tuition Tales contest. Upromise is providing the chance to win $25,000 for college in its Tuition Tales contest.  Check out the details at this website.

The Federal Government's website has financial aid information, much of it in Spanish as well as English.  Look for two publications on the site: Funding Your Education and The Student Guide: Financial Aid from the U.S. Department of Education.

Various opportunities...check out website for details.

Once again, the Washington Crossing Foundation is pleased to offer a variety of national and regional college scholarships ranging from $500 to $5,000. The Ann Hawkes Hutton Memorial Scholarship, recognizes her more than sixty years of dedicated volunteer service to Bucks County, to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and to our nation.

To be eligible for the program, the student must be:

• a U.S. citizen
• a resident of one of the following counties in Massachusetts: Barnstable, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, Worcester or Georgetown, South Carolina
• graduating from a high school located in one of the counties listed above, with a strong academic record, participating in a significant, meaningful mentoring program or relationship during high school that has contributed to the student's ability to overcome challenging life circumstances, and
• planning to enroll fall term for the first time at one of the following eligible colleges and universities in Massachusetts or South Carolina listed on the website.

Awards may be up to $20,000 per year for tuition only and may be renewed for three additional years.

Enter to win.  $5,000 scholarship competition offered by the Youth Transition Network.  Winners chosen on December 14, 2007.