SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES 2016 – 2017
Updated 11-9-16
NOVEMBER 2016
allegra ford thomas scholarship
Deadline: November 13, 2016
Award: $2,500
Eligibility: must have documented learning disability and will be enrolled in the fall of 2017at a two-year community college, a vocational or technical training program. Must have participated in school and community activities and demonstrate financial need. Information available on line at
For: Seniors
anne ford thomas scholarship
Deadline: November 13, 2016
Award: $10,000 over 4 years
Eligibility:must have documented learning disability and will be enrolled in the fall of 2017 in a full time bachelor’s degree program. Must have participated in school and community activities, demonstrate academic achievements and financial need. Unweighted GPA 3.0. Information available on line
For: Seniors
FICAP HIGH SCHOOL ESSAY CONTEST
Deadline: November 28, 2016
Award: up to $500 for 1st place, and a chance to compete in the national contest and receive a $5,000 scholarship if enrolled in a concrete-related curriculum at eligible colleges/universities.
Eligibility: must be between 16-18 yrs old. Write a 600 word essay about “Concrete” i.e. positive effects on environment, the job market, technology, green aspect, benefits…..
For more info go to or see application in scholarship office.
For: Seniors and juniors
ELKS NATIONAL FOUNDATION: MOST VALUABLE STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP
Deadline: November 30, 2016
Award: up to $50,000 (4 year total)
Eligibility: Competition will be judged on scholarship, leadership and financial need. Must be pursuing a 4 year degree in a U.S. college/university.Must be a U.S. citizen
For more information and for application go to
For: Seniors
jack kent cooke foundation
Deadline: November 30, 2016
Award: up to $40,000 per year
Eligibility: Enroll in 4 year college in fall of 2017. Unweighted GPA 3.5. Sat 1200 (old SAT) and ACT 26. Demonstrate unmet financial need. Apply on line at
For: Seniors
SEAP (SCIENCE & ENGINEERING APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM)
Deadline: November 30, 2016
Award: fully paid 8 weeks summer research program plus $3,300 stipend at a DoN lab
Eligibility: must be a talented high school student with interest and ability in science and mathematics, wanting to pursue a career in science and engineering.
For more info go to
For: Juniors and Seniors
GOOD360 SUSTAINABILITY SCHOLARSHIP
Deadline: November 30, 2016
Award: $1,000
Must be entering college in the fall of 2017, interested in sustainability and the environment. Essay on topic. More info go to
For: Seniors
DECEMBER 2016
fleet reserve association AMERICANISM ESSAY CONTEST
Deadline: December 1, 2016
Award: $5,000 (national winner) plus additional prizes
Eligibility:Must be sponsored by branch of FRA. Submit 350 word essay. For more information and topic go to
For: all grades
NATIONAL SPACE CLUB SCHOLARSHIP
Deadline: December 2nd, 2016
Award: $10,000
Eligibility: Student must be a U.S. citizen, will be attending a college/university in the fall of 2017 pursuing a career in the STEM field with a preference for those with space related interests. Must be available to speak at the NSCF dinner on March 10, 2017. For more details go to
For: Seniors
Stephen j. brady stop hunger scholarship (Sodexo)
Deadline: December 5, 2016
Amount: $5,000 plus $5,000 to stop hunger-related charity
Eligibility: Applicants must have demonstrated on-going commitment to their community by performing unpaid volunteer services impacting hunger in the United States at least within the last 12 months. Added consideration is given to students working to fight childhood hunger. For information go to
For: all grades
arthur”pappy” kennedy scholarship (Sponsored by YMCA of Central Florida Southwest Orlando Jaycees
Deadline: December 12, 2016
Award: $1,500
Eligibility: Plan to attend post secondary institution in fall of 2017. Must have GPA 2.5. Applicant should have YMCA and/or Community involvement, strong volunteer/charitable service record, participation in school leadership activities and/or extracurricular programs. Application available in scholarship office.
For: African American Senior (minority)
AXA achievement scholarship
Deadline: December 15, 2016 or until 10,000 applications are submitted
Awards: from $2,500to $25,000
Eligibility: Must be US citizen, Student must demonstrate outstanding achievement in school, community or work-related activities. More information available in Scholarship office or see online application at
For: Seniors
BURGER KING FOUNDATION
Deadline: December 15, 2016
Award: $1,000 to $50,000
Eligibility: GPA 3.3 on 4.0 scale, ACT 25, SAT 1700. Judged on leadership role in community service, athletics, and/or similar co-curricular activity. Should demonstrate substantial work experience. For more information go to
For: Seniors
DRIVE SMART TEEN DIGITAL CONTEST
Deadline: December 19, 2016
Award: $10,000
Eligibility: Submit a 30-60 second digital short to educate about the dangers of distracted driving. For information go to
nra civil rights defense fund youth essay contest
Deadline: December 31, 2016
Amount: $1,000 1st place, $600 2nd place, $200 for 3rd place and $100 honorable mention.
Eligibility: Student must submit essay celebrating the Second Amendment. For more information go to
For: all grades
Make college happen challenge
Deadline: December 31, 2016
Award: chance to win $15,000
Eligibility: Creatively explain how to pay for college by submitting a poem, video, essay, photo presentation or song. For more information go to
school band & orchestra essay contest
Deadline: December 31, 2016
Award:(5) $1,000
Eligibility: Submit essay. For more information go to
For: all grades
JANUARY 2017
John F. Kennedy profile in courage essay contest
Deadline: January4, 2016
Award: $20,000 first place and cash awards for the top 25 essays
Eligibility: Submit essay and registration information. Must have nominating teacher to provide support and advice during the writing of the essay. For more information go to
For:all grades
ge – reagan foundation scholarship program
Deadline: January 5, 2017
Award: several $10,000 per year up to 4 years
Eligibility: Must be nominated by a community leader and recommended by an authority figure who has observed the student in leadership roles. Student must demonstrate exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship. GPA 3.0 on 4.0 scale. Go to for more information
For:Seniors
ASIAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN SHOLARSHIP FUND
Deadline: January 11, 2017
Awards: from $2,500 to $20,000
Eligibility: Be of Asian and or Pacific Islander ethnicity, U.S citizen, enrolled in a college/university in the fall of 2017. GPA≥2.7, financial need (FAFSA).
For more information go to
For: Seniors
LEAD 360 CHALLENGE JEFFERSON AWARDS FOUNDATION
Deadline: January 31, 2017
Eligibility: Submit your project/program on how you are changing the world around you.
For information go to
February 2017
FLORIDA PTA SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
Deadline: February 1st, 2017
Award: $2,000 (several categories)
Eligibility: Must be a member of DPHS PTSA, enrolled in a college/university/community college/ tech institute in the fall of 2017, essay. For more information, applications are available in the Scholarship office.
For: Seniors
CENTRAL FLORIDA FAIR SCHOLARSHIP
Deadline: February 15, 2017
Award: $2,500 (3)
Eligibility: Applicant must have been a participant in the Central Florida fair (judge of an event, exhibit, entertainment, volunteer….) for more information applications are in the Scholarship office.
For: Seniors
APRIL 2017
RUNNERCLICK SCHOLARSHIP
Deadline: April 30, 2017
Award: $2,000 (3)
Eligibility: submit an original essay (2,000-2,500 words). For topic and more info go to
SCHOOL SPECIFC SCHOLARSHIPS& OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Collage Fairs Online: November 14-19, 2016
Students can explore different colleges and chat live with school representatives. Go to for more details.
Mercer University School of Engineering Georgia: Scholarship Challenge Event on November 12, 2016 For more info go to engineering.mercer.edu.
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
Deadline: December 1st, 2016
2 scholarships for students with outstanding academic records and strong leadership skills to apply for Boston University's merit-based scholarships.
University of Texas-DallasMcDermott Scholars Program
Deadline
Early Application: October 24, 2016
Regular Application: January 4, 2017
Eligibility Requirements
SAT- Minimum 1450 (old) or 1490 (new) on verbal/math or score 33 or higher on ACT
GPA- Top 5% of graduating class
Will be first-time college freshman (never attended college in the past)
Some Scholarship Search Websites:
- Federal Student Aid (Excellent Resource!)
- Weird Scholarships (Excellent Resource!)
- Chegg Scholarships (Tons of Scholarships)
- Imagine America Foundation
- FastWeb
- Seminole State Scholarships
- Valencia College Scholarships