Scholarships
The Tupelo Community Theatre offers four $500 scholarships each year to students attending MS universities. Details about each scholarship and an application form are available at www.tct.ms Deadline to apply is April 16.
Project Hope is sponsoring scholarships for students in our area. A 250-500 word personal statement expressing your interests, strengths, opportunities for improvement, future plans and goals is required, in addition to the answer of one of these two questions; (1) What factors influenced your decision to choose a health career, or (2) How have heart disease, cancer, or diabetes affected you or your family personally? Two letters of recommendation are also required, as is a copy of your transcript, and a recent photo. Application is available from Mrs. Cook or online at www.projecthopems.com The deadline for application is March 23.
Hodges Orthodontics sponsors the Smile Scholarship yearly. A 500-1000 word essay on the topic, "What makes ME smile" is required as is a resume, transcript and two letters of recommendation. Eligible seniors rank in the upper ½ of their graduating class, have "creditable" results on the ACT, and are good citizens. Application is available from Mrs. Cook, and the deadline to apply is April 30.
The Walter "Sweetness" Payton Memorial Scholarship application is now available. Eligible students should have a strong history of extracurricular/co-curricular leadership activities. A short essay is required. The postmark deadline is March 30. Applications are available from Mrs. Cook.
The Donor Family Council for the MS Organ Recovery Agency announces its Scholarship Program with up to four $500 scholarships. Eligible seniors have a minimum GPA of 2.5. Two letters of recommendation are required, and an essay of 300-750 words on one of the following subjects:
· Why I am a registered donor or why I want to be an organ and tissue donor
· The importance of encouraging others to be an organ and tissue donor
· How my family has been affected by organ and tissue donation or by transplantation
Applications and supporting documents must be received by March 30. Applications are available from Mrs. Cook.
The first annual Visine Students With Vision Scholarship Program is offering one-time $5,000 scholarships to seniors who have demonstrated a "clear vision or goal for their future." Minimum GPA of 2.8 is required for eligibility. Recipients are selected based on academic achievement, school and community involvement, financial need, and demonstrated vision or goal. Deadline to apply is April 16. Apply at aim.applyists.net/Vision
The MS Council of the Blind awards 2 $6,000 scholarships annually to seniors who either are legally blind or who have a parent or guardian who is legally blind. Application and information about the scholarship is available at www.acb.org/mcb The deadline to submit all required documents is March 1.
The MS Municipal League is opening its application for this year. They offer 3 scholarships of $2,000 each; one general scholarship for any senior, one for children or grandchildren of city officials and city employees, and one for children and grandchildren of city employees or elected officials who are members of MMSC Liability Plan or the Workers compensation Group. Applicants must write an essay on the topic, “Why I Should Consider a Career in Municipal Government.” Application is available from Mrs. Cook, and the deadline to apply is May 4.
America’s Milk Processors and USA Today have opened the “Scholar-Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year” (SAMMY) Award Program. The eligible applicant excels in academics, athletics and has a strong community service record. Apply at www.sammyapplication.com until March 19. There are several national winners yearly for the $7,500 scholarship, trip to Disney World, and ad appearance.
The College Public Relations Association sponsors yearly two scholarships in the amount of $500 each for students who are majoring in one of the following fields of study: public relations, communications, journalism, advertising, mass communications, political communications, crisis management, graphic design, or other communication-oriented major. These scholarships are for students attending either two or four-year colleges. Three letters of recommendation are required as well as a 500 word essay entitled, "What I Hope to Offer the Field of Communication." This is a four-year renewable award. Scholarship Application can be found at www.cpram.org , and the deadline to apply is February 15.
The Women First Resource Center sponsors a yearly scholarship for a student who has lost a first degree relative (mother, grandmother, sister, or legal guardian) to breast cancer. The scholarship is worth $1,000, and is not based on GPA or financial need. The recipient is chosen by a panel and is based on the student's essay. For more information, and for an application, see Mrs. Cook. Deadline to apply is April 13.
The MS Academy of Family Physicians' David G. Hall, M.D. Memorial Scholarship is now open for application. Each high school can only submit one student for consideration. If you are interested in being considered as our nominee, please see Mrs. Cook and submit your name. The applicant should have an interest in pursuing a career as a family physician. Application must be postmarked March 31, and must include an essay and resume'.
The Buick Achievers Scholarship Program is now accepting applications for its scholarships. They award 1,000 $2,000 awards, and 100 four-year renewable scholarships at $25,000 each year. Preference goes to Technology and Engineering students, but many other design and business related majors are listed. You must be planning to attend a four year college next year. For more information see www.buickachievers.com and apply until February 29.
The Walker Dempsey Hospital Foundation Scholarship Program is now accepting applications for four $2,000 scholarships to area students. These awards may be used for any costs related to college expenses. The awards are based on GPA and need. Applications are available from Mrs. Cook, and the deadline to apply is April 15.
Best Buy awards yearly 1,200 $1,000 scholarships. Eligible students need solid grades and community service and/or work experience. Apply at www.bestbuy-communityrelations.com by the February 15 deadline.
Seniors: Check out www.studentscholarships.org for a comprehensive list of scholarships as well as career and university information. You can register into the site for regular updates and scholarship matches.
The North MS Mayors' Association has opened its scholarship application. Two awards will be made of $1,000 each for college expenses. Applications must be received by January 31. GPA, ACT score, community service, and financial need are considered in this award. Applications are available from Mrs. Cook.
The GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program has opened its application. It is for “college-bound students who demonstrate leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship at school, home, in the community, and in the workplace (if applicable).” Applicants must be nominated by an eligible community leader and recommended by an authority figure. Eligible applicants have a minimum 3.0 GPA, must demonstrate financial need, and must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree at an accredited institution. The award is a renewable one at $10,000 per year for four years. The application will be available from November 14 through February 17. Go to http://www.reaganfoundation.org/scholars-program.aspx to apply.
Burger King has opened its scholarship application. Awards range from $1,000-$5,000-$25,000-$50,000. High school seniors, Burger King employees and children of Burger King employees are eligible to apply until January 10 at http://www.haveityourwayfoundation.org/bksp_scholarship_eligibility.html. A minimum 2.5 GPA is required.
Kentucky Fried Chicken Colonel's Scholars has opened its application for scholarships. To be eligible to receive this scholarship, seniors must have financial need and "an entrepreneurial spirit". A minimum GPA of 2.75 is required as well as enrollment in a public college or university. The recipient must be pursuing a bachelor's degree. Awards are up to $20,000 for tuition, fees, textbooks, room, and board. Online applications will be accepted December 1-Febuary 8 at www.kfcscholars.org
AXA Achievement sponsors scholarships each year. They offer two categories of scholarship; AXA Achievement and AXA Achievement Community. AXA Achievement has a December 1 deadline to apply and ranges from $10,000-$25,000, and AXA Achievement Community has a February 1 deadline and is for $2000. Please refer to the website www.axa-achievement.com for further information about these two awards and to apply.
The Christian Connector provides a free Christian college information service as well as a $2,500 Christian college scholarship drawing. Just log onto www.ChristianConnector.com to request information and automatically be entered in the drawing.
The Educational Services Foundation in Jackson, MS, is sponsoring 50 - $1,000 scholarships in the state. You must fill out the application and submit a 500 word maximum essay on the topic, "f you had one thing in your life you could do over, what would it be and why?" Applications are available from Mrs. Cook for mailing or you can obtain an electronic form of the application at www.Get2College.org If you use the electronic version of the application you must email both files to scholarship@Get2College.org You must be sure to name your files "Application-FirstName_LastName" and "Essay-FirstName_LastName". Deadline for submission is December 1.
The Mississippi Concrete Industries Association sponsors a yearly scholarship/essay contest. Essays are judged on content and writing ability. Possible themes include concrete's benefits to society, how concrete affects the environment, using concrete to build homes, commercial buildings, bridges, or roads. Essays should demonstrate your awareness of concrete's role as a building material in homes, commercial buildings, streets and highways. Complete the application and submit your essay online at www.mississippiconcrete.com Deadline for submission is November 11.
The Susan G. Komen College Scholarship Program will open its application on September 15 and will close it on November 15. These awards aid college students facing significant financial burdens due to the loss of a parent or guardian to breast cancer or their own breast cancer diagnosis. The award is $10,000 per year, up to four years to a student who will attend a state university in pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. Scholarship recipients are selected based on scholastic achievement, community service, financial need, and demonstrated leadership potential. Recipients serve as Komen Collegiate Ambassadors and must volunteer their time to breast cancer awareness activities for at least 20 hours per semester. Apply at www.komen.org/scholarship
Cappex offers a wide variety of scholarship resource information and links. Two scholarships have come to my attention in particular; High School Innovator of the Year and Lead With Your Heart Scholarships. Each is valued at $5,000. The High School Innovator of the Year is for a student who has invented something noteworthy, or improved a process that affects their fellow students, city or town. The Lead With Your Heart Scholarship is for students who have dedicated their time to working for the greater good. The award is about selfless service that has made a big impact in their community or beyond. Deadline for both is December 31. Apply at www.cappex.com/scholarships Be sure and scan the site for other scholarship information and opportunities.
Questbridge College Match pairs outstanding low-income ($60,000 yearly income) students with early admission and full four-year scholarships to top ranking colleges. The scholarships cover tuition, room and board and are potentially worth up to $200,000, and are loan free. Apply through September 30 at www.questbridge.org
Coca-Cola Scholars Program has opened its application. 2,200 applicants will be selected as Semifinalists around Dec. 1. Semifinalists then complete another application including essays, transcripts, and two letters of recommendation. 250 Finalists are then selected to advance to the interview phase. 50 of those students are designated as National Scholars and are awarded $20,000, and the remaining 200 are Regional Scholars and receive $10,000. You must have at least a 3.0 GPA. Application deadline is October 31. Apply at www.coca-colascholars.org
The Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc. has opened its scholarship application. You can apply for both the MS and the National awards on the same application. The National award is geared towards students who have financial need, have overcome a serious obstacle, and are involved in extracurricular activities and community service. The Mississippi award is for students who meet all of the above criteria except for overcoming the serious obstacle. The minimum GPA for both awards is 2.0. Apply at www.horatioalger.org until the deadline of October 30.
Wendy’s High School Heisman applications are available for student-athletes. This award is for students who excel in academics, athletics and student leadership. Minimum GPA is 3.0. Apply at www.wendysheisman.com until the deadline of October 2.