CCHS - Counselor’s Corner
November 27, 2017
Important Reminders for CCHS Students:
Free Application for Federal Student Aid – Available NOW for seniors!
Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to complete the FAFSA
A completed FAFSA application is required for students to receive certain financial aid opportunities in college. Please speak with a college admissions representative for more information about the financial aid process at the schools that you are applying to.
Seniors - Scholarship Deadlines Fast Approaching
Seniors, take note of the academic scholarship deadlines for the schools you are considering. If you are unsure of the scholarship deadline for a particular college or university, contact the admission representative from that school. Most schools require students to be admitted before considering them for an academic scholarship.
Community Events:
The Trunk Project - College Dorm Supplies (Juniors Only)
Deadline: December 1, 2017
“The Trunk Project” is a non-profit program of the “Go Beyond You” Foundation. If you are on track to graduate in 2019, have a desire to attend a 2 or 4-year college, and can show need based on social and/or economic disadvantage, you qualify. Qualifying students will receive basic items needed for college dorm living following their high school graduation. For more information about the program, visit www.thetrunkproject.org. To apply, students will need to complete a Student Information/Application form and a personal statement. Selected students will be required to attend mandatory classes concerning college prep. Interested students should see their counselor for an application packet.
Bulldog Pharmacy Camp at Samford University
Application Deadline: February 1, 2018
McWhorter School of Pharmacy at Samford University is offering a one-week Pharmacy Camp this summer for high school students that are interested in investigating a career as a Pharmacist. We would like to invite your students to participate in this McWhorter School of Pharmacy Camp. During the week of pharmacy camp they will experience hands-on learning about health careers in pharmacy, participate in tours of local health care facilities and local pharmacies, participate in compounding activities and hands on demonstrations in the McWhorter School of Pharmacy science laboratory.Students who attend the camp will have the unique opportunity to spend time on the Samford campus and experience campus life with us, spend time with pharmacy professors, and have a lot of time to interact with other students also interested in careers in pharmacy. Information about the camp and the camp application can be found athttps://www.samford.edu/pharmacy/bulldog-pharmacy-camp.
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SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION
***As you receive scholarship offer letters, please bring in a copy of your award letter to your school counselor!!! Do this for EVERY offer you receive as soon as you receive it***
Below is a list of free scholarship search sites to find out what free money is available before applying for student loans. Start your search today!
· www.scholarships.com
· www.fastweb.com
· www.highfivescholarships.com
· www.scholarshipexperts.com
· www.tuitionfundingsources.com –like their page on social media!
· www.cappex.com
· www.schoolsoup.com
· www.studentscholarships.org
· www.scholarshipguidance.com
· http://lendedu.com/scholarships.ph
Elks Most Valuable Student Scholarship
Deadline: November 27, 2017
The 2018 Most Valuable Student scholarship contest is open to any high school senior who is a US Citizen. Applicants will be judged on scholarship, leadership, and financial need.The 20 top finalists will participate in an all-expenses paidLeadership Weekendin Chicago during which they’ll interview with the national judges. These 20 finalists will be vying for two first-place awards of $50,000; two second-place awards of $40,000; and two third-place awards of $30,000. The remaining 14 finalists will receive awards of $20,000. The 480 runners-up will receive fifth-place scholarships of $4,000. To apply, visit https://www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/mvs.cfm.
Sixt Scholars Program
Deadline: November 30, 2017
Sixt rent a caris pleased to offerfive high school seniorsgraduating in2018the opportunity to receive a$5,000scholarship and become a Sixt scholar.The program is designed to assist high school students who plan to continue their education in college. Scholarships are offered each year for full-time study at an accredited institution of the student’s choice. Application requirements include a 3.7 GPA and plans to enroll in a full-time 2 or 4-year university. Mandatory application materials include a completed application and copy of your high school transcript. For more information, visit https://www.sixt.com/sixt-scholars/.
The Mitchell Scholarship (University of South Alabama)
Deadline: December 1, 2017
Recipients of this exceptional business scholarship at the University of South Alabama receive a four-year, $50,000 scholarship as well as a laptop. Scholars pursue challenging programs while developing stewardship and civic responsibility preparing them to be exceptional candidates for the workforce or graduate school. Qualifications include an ACT of 28 and 3.5 high school GPA. Applicants must pursue a business degree at USA. For more information, visit www.southalabama.edu/colleges/mcob.
FRA Americanism Essay Contest
Deadline: Postmarked by December 1, 2017
The Fleet Reserve Association invites students grades 7-12 to write an essay (350 words or less) about “What Patriotism Means to Me”. The essay should be legibly written or typed on one side of the paper; the title of the essay should be written or typed at the top of the paper; limit one entry per student. Each entry must be accompanied by a completed cover sheet (see your counselor for a copy of this cover sheet). The national grand prize is $5,000, but the Birmingham FRA chapter also has local prizes to offer essay contest participants. Visit www.fra.org/essay for more information, or contact Juan A. Bowden (local FRA Essay Chairman) at 256-626-0880.
Auburn University Academic Scholarships
Deadline: December 1, 2017
Students must complete the scholarship application through the Auburn University Scholarship Opportunity Manager (AUSOM) forscholarship consideration. Students planning to apply for scholarships should complete the admission application with all required materials received by November 15. This will allow sufficient time to receive an admissions decision and complete the scholarship application by December 1. Updated test scores and transcriptsreceived after this date will beconsidered, as funding permits, forstudents with a complete scholarshipapplication by December 1.
University of South Alabama Academic Scholarships
Priority Deadline: December 1, 2017
Students admitted to the University of South Alabama are automatically reviewed for the Freshman Admission awards. In-state award opportunities begin at a 23 ACT or equivalent SAT score and a minimum 3.0 high school GPA. For a complete listing of scholarship opportunities, please visit www.southalabama.edu/freshscholarships.
Troy University Academic Scholarships
Deadline: December 1, 2017
Troy University’s academic scholarship programs begin at a 23 ACT/1130 RSAT, 3.0 GPA and resume. An essay is required for some academic scholarships. Additional scholarship opportunities are available and deadlines may vary. All scholarships are competitive awards with limited availability. For more information, visit www.troy.edu.
Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarship
Deadline: December 5, 2017
A program that recognizes students who are driving awareness and mobilizing youth to be catalysts for innovative models that provide solutions to eliminate hunger in America. Scholarship winners receive a $5,000 scholarship and a $5,000 grant for their hunger-related charity. The Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarship is named for the Foundation's founder and former president,Steve Brady, who was an unstoppablechampion in the fight to end hunger. To apply, visit http://us.stop-hunger.org/home/grants.html.
AXA Achievement Scholarship
Deadline: December 15, 2017
The AXA AchievementScholarship offers college scholarships of $2,500, $10,000 and $25,000 to high school seniors who have demonstrated outstanding achievement in their activities in school, the community or the workplace. Scholarship winners are known as AXA Achievers. They are ethnically and economically diverse, but they share these qualities: ambition and drive; determination to set and reach goals; respect for self, family and community; ability to succeed in college. The 2018 program will be accepting applications from September 5, 2017 until 10,000 applications are submitted or December 15, 2017, whichever comes first. Your application MUST be one of the first 10,000 submitted electronically by the deadline date.Apply early! For more information and to apply, visit https://www.scholarsapply.org/axa-achievement/.
University of Alabama Academic Scholarships
Deadline: December 15, 2017
First time freshmen who meet the December 15 scholarship deadline in their senior year of high school, have a qualifying score on the ACT or SAT, and have at least a 3.5 cumulative high school GPA will be eligible for merit-based scholarships. For more information, visit www.scholarships.ua.edu.
South Georgia Film Festival Scholarship
Deadline to Register: December 15, 2017
The South Georgia Film Festival will be held March 2-4, 2018 at Valdosta State University. This is an open film competition for filmmakers of all ages, including high school students. All films must be submitted through FilmFreeway.com. Along with trophy and prizes from local sponsors, there are tremendous scholarship opportunities for our overall winners in the High School category. For more information, visit https://www.SouthGeorgiaFilm.com/
Linly Heflin Scholarship for Women
Deadline: December 31, 2017
The Linly Heflin Unit is a non-profit organization that provides scholarshipsto Alabama womenattending four-year Alabama colleges and universities.Scholarships are$5,000 per yearfor up to four years.Applicants must demonstrateboth significant economic need and sound academic records. The application, as well as detailed policies and requirements, are available on the website: www.linlyheflin.org.
FIRE Free Speech Essay Contest
Deadline: December 31, 2017
High school juniors and esniors are eligible to participate in FIRE’s essay contest. To enter, students must submit an essay between 800 and 1,000 words on the provided topic. One $10,000 first prize, one $5,000 second prize, and three $1,000 runner-up prizes will be awarded for the best essays. Four $500 winners will be chosen from the remaining entrants in a drawing. To enter, visit thefire.org/contest.
ACT Student Champion Scholarship
Deadline: December 31, 2017
The ACT Student Champion Award recognizes one student in each state who is tenacious and persistent, no matter the challenge, and is prepared for life after high school with a goal in mind and plan in place. ACT Student Champions receive a $500 non-renewable scholarship. Eligibility requirements include: students in the graduating class of 2018 who have taken the ACT, composite ACT score of 22 on a single test date or a 3.0 GPA or greater on a 4.0 scale, and a student who has overcome challenges and can articulate education and career actions. Preference will be given to underrepresented and/or first-generation college students. Applications can be found at www.act.org/readinesschampions.
Thomas E. Huey, Jr. Memorial Scholarship
Deadline: December 31, 2017
BLSA, a Chapter of NALS, Inc., the association for legal professionals, will award its Thomas E. Huey, Jr. Memorial Scholarship in the amount of $1,000 to a high school senior in January 2018. Scholarship applications will be accepted based upon 50% financial need, 40% grade point average (must be at least a 3.0), and 10% achievements and accomplishments. Application requirements include an official high school transcript, a letter of recommendation, and a typed biographical statement. For a copy of the application, please see your counselor.
Apprentice Ecologist Initiative Scholarship
Deadline: December 31, 2017
The Apprentice Ecologist Initiative (officially recognized by the U.S. EPA) has engaged tens of thousands of young volunteers from around the world in environmental clean-up and conservation projects since 1999. To be considered for a scholarship, students must conduct an environmental stewardship project, take a few digital photos of the project in action, and write an essay about the project. Examples include removing trash, planting trees, starting a recycling program, and more. For more examples and full details, please visit http://www.wildernessproject.org/volunteer_apprentice_ecologist#scholarship.
Rove Pest Control Scholarship
Deadline: December 31, 2017
Rove Pest Control in Minneapolis is pleased to offer The Rove Pest Control Scholarship application for 2017. This scholarship opportunity is open to high school students and graduatesnationwidein the United States of America who have been accepted to a college or university. This award will be presented to a United States student for the following academic year in the amount of $500.00 and will be paid at the beginning of the fall semester (2018). For complete guidelines and an online application, please visit http://www.rovepestcontrol.com/rove-pest-control-scholarship/.
2018 Profile in Courage Essay Contest
Deadline: January 4, 2018
To apply for this award, students need to describe and analyze an act of political courage by a U.S. official who served during or after 1917, the year of JFK’s birth. Essay length: 700-1,000 words. Cash awards up to $10,000 are available. For complete guidelines, please visit www.jfklibrary.org/essaycontest
The Smith Scholarship Foundation
Deadline: January 5, 2018
The Smith Scholarship Foundation will begin accepting online applications beginning on September 15, 2017 for the Smith Scholarship Program. The Smith Scholarship Foundation Program is an Accountability Scholarship Program providing assistance to high school seniors who have “given back” to their community through volunteer activities or care of family while overcoming financial and personal challenges. Proof of filing FAFSA must be submitted with SSF Scholarship application. For more information, visit www.smithscholarships.com.
National College Army ROTC Scholarship
Deadline: January 10, 2018
For seniors who are interested in the U.S. Army ROTC 3- and 4-year College Scholarship Program for school year 2018-2019, applications are currently available on the following website: http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/scholarships.html. You will need to create an account, complete the application, send a copy of your high school transcript to U.S. Army Cadet Command, take the Physical Fitness Assessment, and set up and interview with the closest ROTC program.
USDA/1890 National Scholars Program
Deadline: January 31, 2018
The goal of the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program is to increase the number of students studying agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, and other related disciplines. The program is open to high school seniors, rising college sophomores, and juniors who exhibit exemplary leadership traits and demonstrated community service. The Scholarship is highly competitive and provides for full tuition payment, among other benefits, for up to 4-years to selected students enrolled or accepted for enrollment at an 1890 Land-Grant University. Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen, have been accepted to an 1890 Land-Grant University, have a high school GPA of 3.0 or better and an ACT composite score of 21 or more (or SAT score of 1080 or more), and intend to study agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or a related discipline. Applicants must submit an official transcript, essay, resume, biographical questionnaire, and two recommendations. Please see your counselor for more information or for an application packet.