Scholarship Update October 1, 2017–

Scholarships are listed in order of deadline

** Please note: Information provided here is only a snapshot of what is available.

Name of Scholarship / Deadline / Description of Scholarship and Application Website
AES Engineering Services Scholarship / 10/6/17 / AES Engineering Services Scholarship: Awards $500. Students must submit an essay of between 500 and 1000 words in answer to the following question:
When you look back on your life in 30 years, what would it take for you to consider your life successful? What relationships or accomplishments will be important on this journey?
Scholarship applicants are not required to take engineering classes. Only requirement is to submit an essay on the stated topic. No application packet needed to apply for this award.
Visit www.aesengineers.com/scholarships.htm.
Submit essay to: .
Horatio Alger Association Scholarship / 10/25/17 / Horatio Alger Association Scholarship: Receive from $7,000 to $25,000. Eligible seniors are committed to completing a bachelor’s degree, can demonstrate critical financial need (i.e., $55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income), involved in community service and co-curricular activities, have demonstrated character/integrity, overcome adversity, are US citizens, and have earned a 2.0 GPA or higher. Apply online at www.scholars.horatioalger.org. Counselor must submit a Certifications Form online to complete application.
Stokes Education Scholarship Program / 10/31/2017 / Stokes Educational Scholarship Program: Open to students planning to major in computer science or computer/electrical engineering. Scholarship includes $30,000/year towards tuition, free housing, summer travel expense, and year-round, paid work commitment through the National Security Agency (NSA). Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA and ACT of 25+ or SAT of 1200 or higher. To apply, applicants must first:
·  Submit a resume online by visiting National Security Agency Careers page. Under "Basic Job Search," type in the keywords "Stokes Educational Scholarship Program" and click on "Search." Select "Stokes Educational Scholarship Program" and click "Apply Now." Follow the directions as prompted.
·  Once your resume has been submitted online, please submit the following by mail:
·  Letter of recommendation from a teacher/counselor/advisor who can attest to your academic ability
·  One-page essay entitled, "I want a career at NSA because..."
·  An official transcript from your high school which indicates your unweighted cumulative GPA and class rank
·  Photocopy of your SAT/ACT or college board scores (required for all high school students)
·  Three (3) pages of supplemental information, if desired. This information can be anything to enhance your application (e.g., an original essay, etc.)
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation / 10/31/17 / Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation: Highly competitive scholarship. Scholarship for students with at least a 3.0 GPA or higher. Students must be committed to community service and leadership in school. Awarded to 150 students who are named Coca-Cola Scholars and receive $20,000. Not need-based. Apply online at www.coca-colascholars.org.
Ron Brown Scholar Program / 11/1/17 and 1/9/18 / Ron Brown Scholar Program: African-American seniors may be eligible for $10,000/yr renewable scholarship ($40,000 total). Applicants are evaluated on academic excellence, leadership potential, community service, & financial need. Must have made significant contributions to society. App requires essays, letters of rec, and transcript. Apply by 11/1/17 to be considered for this and other scholarships. To apply only for the Ron Brown Scholar Program, applications must be submitted by January 9, 2018. Go to www.ronbrown.org for details.
Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Contest / 10/31/17 /

Voice of Democracy Audio Essay Contest: Students in grades 9-12 may enter this contest designed to foster patriotism by allowing students the opportunity to voice their opinion in a 3-5 minute essay on the theme “American History: Our Hope for the Future.”

The first place national winner receives a $30,000 college scholarship. Official rules and entry forms can be found at www.vfw.org under the Community tab & the Youth and Education link. Submit your entry at the VFW Post in our area. See Mrs. Grygiel for questions.
Prudential Spirit of Community Awards / 11/7/17 / Prudential Spirit of Community Awards: Very competitive. Given to one student at GHS who is highly involved in community service. Must complete an application at www.nassp.org/spirit and complete the “Certification” page and email it to Mrs. Grygiel by 11/8/16. One student will be selected by 11/7/17 to compete at the state level. A state winner will earn $1000, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-expense-paid trip with a parent to Washington D.C. for a chance to compete at the national level.
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program / 11/14/17 / Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program: Open to top seniors with significant unmet financial need seeking to attend the nation’s best 4-year colleges. Demonstrate significant unmet need. Will consider applicants with family income up to $95,000. Students compete for up to $40,000/year. Must have cum unweighted GPA of 3.5+, SAT of 1200+ or ACT of 26+. Apply at www.jkcf.org/scholarships.
Danforth Scholars Program at Washington University / 11/15/17 / Danforth Scholars Program: Awards partial- and full-tuition renewable scholarship. Eligible students demonstrate strong academics, school/community involvement, and high moral character. To be considered, students must be nominated by a teacher by November 15th. Student must also apply to Wash U. including essay, recommendations, and ACT or SAT scores by 1/2/18. Students must submit scholarship application, short answers, and essay to the committee by 1/5/18.
Rockford Association for Minority Management (RAMM) Scholarship / TBA / Rockford Association for Minority Management (RAMM) Scholarship: African-American seniors. Must have a 2.75 cum GPA and plan to attend a 2- or 4- year college/university. Requires an official transcript, 2 letters of recommendation, and an essay. Apply online at:
http://www.ramm-rkfd.org. Click on “What’s New.” Application will open soon. Please see Mrs. Grygiel if you would like more information.
Rockford Association for Minority Management Rockford Fire Department Scholarship / TBA / Rockford Association for Minority Management-Rockford Fire Department Scholarship: Open to African-American seniors enrolled in a Winnebago County School. Must have a 2.75 cum GPA and plan to enter a career in the fire service, fire protection or prevention. Requires an official transcript, 2 letters of recommendation, and essay. Apply online at:
http://www.ramm-rkfd.org. Click on “What’s New.” Application will open soon. Please see Mrs. Grygiel if you would like more information.
Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois / Priority Deadline:
12/1/17
Regular Deadline:
2/15/18 / Golden Apple Scholars of Illinois: Scholarship and training for students pursuing a degree in education. Receive tuition assistance of up to $23,000 at one of 52 participating Illinois schools. Students must major in education, have at least 2.5 cum GPA and ACT Composite of 22+ with 16+ on Writing portion or 1110 SAT. Selected students will participate in 4 summer Institute programs, have job placement assistance, & mentoring, and will work for at least 5 years in an Illinois School of Need. Students can nominate themselves or be nominated by a teacher or counselor by going online at www.goldenapple.org.
Kids’ Chance Inc., of Illinois Scholarship / 12/1/17 / Kids’ Chance Inc., of Illinois Scholarship: Open to students who have a parent who was killed or seriously injured as a result of a work related accident that meets the criteria of the Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act and that has resulted in demonstrated financial need. Applicants must be enrolled, accepted or applying for acceptance as a full-time or part-time student at an accrediteduniversity, college or technical school. Application is available at www.kidschanceofillinois.com/scholarships/
Greenhouse Scholarship / 12/1/17 / Greenhouse Scholarship: Awards: $5,000 renewable or $2,000 flex funding. Also gives personal and professional support along with funding during all 4 years of college. Open to low income students who are academically driven, exceptional leaders, and compelled to help their communities. Must have an unweighted GPA of 3.5+ and have an annual household income no greater than $70,000. Must be planning to attend a 4-year college/university. Application is online at www.greenhousescholars.fluidreview.com.
AXA Achievement Scholarship / 12/15/2017 / AXA Achievement Scholarship: Scholarship for seniors who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in activities in school, community or the workplace and will be attending a 2 or 4 year college/university next fall. Winners may be awarded $2,500, $10,000, or $25,000. Very competitive. Apps available online at www.axa-achievement.com.
NFIB Young Entrepreneur Award / TBA / NFIB Young Entrepreneur Award: 100 nonrenewable scholarships
ranging from $2,000 to $25,000 will be awarded to seniors who have demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit and initiative (e.g., running their own officially established business). Applicants must have a strong academic record. Apply online at www.nfib.com/YEA.
JFK Profiles in Courage Essay Contest / January 4, 2018 / JFK Profiles in Courage Essay Contest – Scholarship essay contest for 9-12th graders will award $500-20,000. Essay should be creative and demonstrate the understanding of the book by John F. Kennedy Profiles of Courage. Must be an original essay of 700-1000 words about an act of political courage by an elected official (serving on or after 1917). More information available online at www.jfklibrary.org. Click on Education. Students must register and submit essays online.
Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Scholarship / End of January 2018 / Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Scholarship: Four year scholarship covering full tuition, books, fees, and uniforms plus a monthly stipend. Students can apply for 1 of 3 scholarship options: Navy, Marines or Nurse which will prepare student to be an officer in the Navy. After graduation, student will be a commissioned officer serving in the Navy. Students must have an ACT of 22 in English and 21 in Math. For more information go to www.nrotc.navy.mil
Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) / If start app by 2/4/18, complete by 3/4/18 / Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC): Full tuition scholarship and fees, allowance for books, and up to $5,000 stipend for students planning on attending four-year college. Students must meet physical standards, have a 2.5 GPA and SAT of 1000+ or ACT score of 19 or higher. Student agrees to accept a commission and serve in the Army on Active Duty or in a Reserve Component (Army Reserve or Army National Guard). More information available at www.goarmy.com/rotc.
Community Foundation Scholarships / 2/1/18 / Community Foundation Scholarships: Awards more than $200,000 in scholarships to students in the local area. One application can be submitted for multiple scholarship opportunities. More information to come. Application opens December 1st at www.cfnil.org.
Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship / 2/1/18 / Jackie Robinson Foundation Scholarship: Application opens Nov. 1. Scholarships available for minority HS seniors with leadership potential, dedication to community service, financial need, & SAT of 1000 or ACT of 21. Awards up to $30,000 over 4 years. Apps and letter of rec. must be submitted online at www.jackierobinson.org, click on Apply for Scholarship. Application opens live on Nov. 1st.
Kiwanis Club of Rockford Education Grant / 2/16/18 / Kiwanis Club of Rockford Education Grant: Open to graduating seniors who have frequent committed participation in projects and programs that make the school and community better. Must have plans and be admitted to a college or university. Application can be found at www.kiwanisclubofrockford.com, click on Education Grant. Complete online (no handwritten applications), print out, and send through US mail. Along with application (including contact sheet with signature), must include transcript with SAT or ACT scores, SAR Summary form from the FAFSA, and 3 letters of recommendation (no family members). See Mrs. Grygiel in Rm 234 with questions.
Rockford Trail Blazer Scholarship / 5/15/18 / Rockford Trail Blazer Scholarship: Awards $1000. NO ESSAY REQUIRED! Applicants will be asked to conceptualize and execute a NEW project or idea that will improve their environment/community. Applicants must attend a 4-year college in the next fall, have at least a 3.5 GPA, and be involved in extracurricular school activities and volunteer in their community. Must also be endorsed by their Guidance Counselor confirming that they qualify for this scholarship program. See Mrs. Grygiel in room 234 or email at for application.