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40 Hot Scholarships

Scholarships are one of the best types of financial aid because they provide free money—you don’t have to pay them back. The trick is finding the ones that match your qualifications, getting yourself organized, and putting in the time needed to complete the applications and essays that many programs require.
To get you started on the scholarship hunt, we’ve put together this list of 40 diverse awards. Take a look and see which ones you qualify for. But don’t end your search here. Look into all the online sources that are available, and use a scholarship search engine such as the one at www.careersandcolleges.com. Also, ask your guidance office, community groups, and parents if they know of other funding programs. And if you’re interested in a specific career, contact national associations that represent that occupation—these groups often have educational awards. Colleges themselves offer scholarships and grants as well.

Admiral Grace Murray Hopper Scholarship
DETAILS: Women with a minimum 3.5 GPA studying in an accredited engineering program can apply for this scholarship offered by the Society of Women Engineers.
$$$: $1,000
CONTACT/WEB: www.swe.org

All-ink.com Scholarship
DETAILS: Students applying are required to write both a 50- to 200-word essay on the person who has had the greatest impact on their life and a 50- to 200-word essay on what they hope to achieve in their personal and professional life after college.
$$$: Up to $10,000 in awards
CONTACT/WEB: www.all-ink.com/scholarship.aspx

Allogan Slagle Memorial Scholarship
DETAILS: The Association on American Indian Affairs offers funding to American Indian and Native Alaskan students who are members of tribes seeking federal recognition. The award is based on academic merit and financial need. The association offers many other scholarships for American Indians.
$$$: $1,500
CONTACT/WEB: www.indian-affairs.org

Billy D. Young Scholarship
DETAILS: Sponsored by the National Safety Council, this program recognizes students who are pursuing a degree in either safety or industrial hygiene and plan to go into the safety and/or health fields after graduation.
$$$: $1,000
CONTACT/WEB: www.nsc.org/news/BillyDYoung.htm

Careers and Colleges Scholarship
DETAILS: You’re already on your way to entering this competition! Just request info about any of the colleges in this magazine or on the website and you’ve applied!
$$$: $10,000
CONTACT/WEB: www.careersandcolleges.com

Coca-Cola Two-Year College Scholarship
DETAILS: Every two-year, degree-granting institution in the United States can nominate two students each year, so if you’re heading off to a community college or two-year program, work with your financial aid office to submit your application. A minimum of a 2.5 GPA and 100 hours of community service are required.
$$$: 400 awards of $1,000 each year
CONTACT/WEB: www.coca-colascholars.org

College-Computers.net Scholarship
DETAILS: Your thoughts on what will happen with technology over the next 50 years could help you win this cash for your college education.
$$$: Two for $1,000 each
CONTACT/WEB: www.college-computers.net/scholarship/

Davidson Fellows
DETAILS: For students who have a passion for what they do and a desire to make a difference, submit an original piece of work that shows your potential to make a positive contribution to society.
$$$: $10,000 to $50,000 and a trip to the award ceremony
CONTACT/WEB: www.ditd.org

DECA Scholarships
DETAILS: DECA partners with many companies to offer scholarships, including Kmart, Sears, American Express, and others. If you’re a member of DECA, see your advisor for an application.
$$$: Many $1,000 awards
CONTACT/WEB: www.deca.org/scholarships/

Donna Reed Performing Arts Scholarship
DETAILS: If you’ve got talent in acting, musical theater, voice, dance, or an instrument, submit an audio or videotape of your performance to apply.
$$$: $500 to $4,000
CONTACT/WEB: www.donnareed.org

Eddie Robinson Foundation Scholarship
DETAILS: If you’re an athlete who excels in the classroom and are considered a leader among your peers, this may be for you. Awards are given to college-bound seniors who are committed to staying chemically free.
$$$: $5,000
CONTACT/WEB: www.eddierobinson.com

Excellence in 3-D Animation Award
DETAILS: Available to students who create the best animated characters, props, sets, and movie scenes. You must download the latest ANIMOIDS Program and use it to create a unique animated character, prop, set, or movie scene.
$$$: $1,000
CONTACT/WEB: www.troystudios.com/award.jsp

The First Freedom Student Competition
DETAILS: A national essay contest that offers 9th to 12th grade students an opportunity to express their views on religious freedom, its history, its current importance, and its relevance in their lives.
$$$: $3,000, $1,500, and $750
CONTACT/WEB: www.firstfreedom.org

Hadden Scholarship
DETAILS: The Youth Foundation offers this assistance to financially needy high school seniors with a 3.5 GPA or higher.
$$$: $2,500 to $4,000
CONTACT/WEB: http://fdncenter.org/grantmaker/youthfdn/index.html

LULAC National Scholarship
DETAILS: The League of United Latin American Citizens awards more than 1,000 scholarships annually to Latino students. Apply through the LULAC council in your community.
$$$: $200 to $2,000
CONTACT/WEB: www.LSNEC.org

McDonald’s USA National Employee Scholarship
DETAILS: One outstanding employee from each state wins. Candidates must show commitment to school, work, and community service.
$$$: $1,000; one McScholar of the Year wins $5,000.
CONTACT/WEB: www.mcdonalds.com/usa/good/community/scholarship.html

Mensa Scholarships
DETAILS: Got brains? Mensa offers several awards to the super smart. You must submit an essay on your life’s goals and live near an American Mensa group.
$$$: Up to $1,000
CONTACT/WEB: www.merf.us.mensa.org/scholarships

Miss America Scholarship
DETAILS: After entering a local Miss America competition and advancing to state and national competitions, women have the opportunity to earn one of 51 awards. Although a long shot for many, if you’re a female high school graduate with good moral character, the program is worth considering.
$$$: $3,000 to $40,000
CONTACT/WEB: www.missamerica.org

Most Valuable Student Competition
DETAILS: The Elks are awarding more than $2.2 million in scholarships over the next few years. Be sure to get your share. Visit your local Elk’s lodge for an application.
$$$: $60,000 for first place, $40,000 for second place, $20,000 for third place, and $4,000 for fourth place
CONTACT/WEB: www.elks.org

MOTOFWRD College Competition
DETAILS: This new competition sponsored by Motorola challenges students to submit their most innovative ideas about the future of “seamless mobility”—uninterrupted access to information, communication, and entertainment.
$$$: First prize: $10,000 cash plus an eight-week apprenticeship opportunity with Motorola’s Chief Tech Office and a car equipped with wireless communication technology. Three runners-up will receive $2,500 scholarships and a Motorola product package.
CONTACT/WEB: www.motorola.com/motofwrd

Off to College Scholarship Sweepstakes
DETAILS: Win money for you as well as the college you attend. Any U.S. high school senior who is heading to college in the Fall of ’06 qualifies.
$$$: $1,000 scholarship plus a $250 SunTrust Gift Card. The school of attendance also receives $1,000 for its general scholarship fund.
CONTACT/WEB: www.suntrust.com

Optimist International Essay Contest
DETAILS: A 400- to 500-word essay on the topic “I’m Unique Because...” is required, so think positively and start writing!
$$$: First place is $5,000; second place is $3,000; third place is $2,000.
CONTACT/WEB: www.optimist.org

Private Colleges & Universities Community Service Scholarship for Multicultural Students
DETAILS: For this scholarship, multicultural students submit an application and essay demonstrating community service involvement. Students must attend a private college that participates in the program.
$$$: $2,000
CONTACT/WEB: www.privatecolleges.com

QuestBridge College Match Scholarship
DETAILS: QuestBridge matches bright, low-income students with significant scholarship aid. Students must demonstrate academic achievement and financial need.
$$$: Comprehensive tuition for up to four years
CONTACT/WEB: www.questbridge.org

Sallie Mae’s Unmet Need Scholarship
DETAILS: Full-time students whose financial aid packages fall short by $1,000 or more qualify.
$$$: $1,000 to $3,800
CONTACT/WEB: www.thesalliemaefund.org

Sam Walton Community Scholarship
DETAILS: Wal-Mart and SAM’S CLUB are giving back. Every store can award two scholarships to local high school seniors each year.
$$$: $1,000 to all local winners, who are then entered into the state competition for an additional $4,000. State winners have the chance to win the national prize of an additional $20,000!
CONTACT/WEB: www.walmart.com

SAMMY Awards
DETAILS: The Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year Awards go to student-athletes who have above-average academic scores and a passion for community service. Because it’s part of the American Dairy Farmers and Milk Processors’ “Got Milk?” campaign, entrants need to love milk!
$$$: 25 scholarships for $7,500
CONTACT/WEB: www.whymilk.com

Signet Classic Scholarship Essay Contest
DETAILS: Students enter by writing an essay on one of five topics posed for this year’s competition book, Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya.
$$$: Five scholarships for $1,000
CONTACT/WEB: www.penguinputnam. com/static/html/services-academic/essayhome.html

Sony Pictures Scholarship
DETAILS: Interested in a profession as a moving image archivist? This award provides assistance to a student of merit who intends to pursue that career.
$$$: $4,000
CONTACT/WEB: www.amianet.org/scholarship

SPAACSE George R. Faenza Scholarship
DETAILS: The Society of Performers, Artists, Athletes, and Celebrities for Space Exploration is looking for space fans. High school seniors need to write an essay on “Why Does the United States Need a Space Program?”
$$$: $1,000
CONTACT/WEB: www.stars4space.org

Target Scholarship
DETAILS: This funding is for students who are active community-service volunteers.
$$$: One $25,000 award, more than 600 awards of $1,000
CONTACT/WEB: www.target/scholarshipamerica.com

Undergraduate Scholarship from the National Restaurant Association
DETAILS: This scholarship, offered by the National Restaurant Associa-tion, is available to high school seniors with a minimum 2.75 GPA who have taken at least one food service-related course. So if you’re looking to be the next Emeril Lagasse or Nigella and plan on majoring in a hospitality-related program, apply now and get cooking!
$$$: $2,000
CONTACT/WEB: www.nraef.org

University Writing Scholarship
DETAILS: All high school students
are invited to submit an essay on a topic related to current events. For the December 1 contest, topics in-clude oil prices and natural disaster protection.
$$$: Up to $10,000, averaging $1,000 per individual
CONTACT/WEB: www.elpublishers.com

U.S. Bank Internet Scholarship Program
DETAILS: U.S. citizens enrolled at a two- or four-year institution for Fall 2006 can apply to this online program.
$$$: Up to 30 scholarships worth $1,000
CONTACT/WEB: www.usbank.com/cgi_w/cfm/studentloans/marketing.cfm

Vegetarian Scholarship Award
DETAILS: High school seniors who promote vegetarianism and will be attending a U.S. college qualify.
$$$: $5,000
CONTACT/WEB: www.vrg.org

Veterans’ Tribute Scholarship
DETAILS: This scholarship is available to children and grandchildren, ages 15 through 18, of all U.S. military veterans, active duty, Reserves, and National Guard.
$$$: First place is $10,000; second place is $5,000; and third place is $3,000.
CONTACT/WEB: www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=cmty.leveld&did=1589

The Walt Disney Company Foundation Scholarship
DETAILS: Participation in Junior Achievement and a major in either business administration or fine arts is required.
$$$: Full tuition, renewable
CONTACT/WEB: www.ja.org/programs/programs_schol_dis.shtml

Writers of the Future Contest
DETAILS: Stretch your imagination and submit an original work of science fiction or fantasy.
$$$: $500 to $4,000
CONTACT/WEB: www.writersofthe future.com

You Can Make A Difference Scholarship
DETAILS: High school students who have a desire to make an impact with technology are eligible. You must submit a proposal for a software project that will benefit a charitable organization.
$$$: 10 winners of $2,500 plus an additional $1,500 to implement the proposed project
CONTACT/WEB: www.thespoke.net/ycmd

Young Epidemiology Scholars (YES) Competition
DETAILS: The (YES) Competition for original student research is designed to inspire talented students to investigate the many behavioral, biological, environmental, and social factors that affect health as well as to identify ways to improve the health of the public. Awards go to high school juniors and seniors who conduct outstanding research projects that apply epidemiological methods of analysis to a health-related issue.
$$$: Up to 60 awards of $1,000; 48 awards of $2,000; six will receive scholarship awards of $15,000 each; two will receive scholarship awards of $20,000 each; two will receive scholarship awards of $35,000 each; the top two national winners will receive scholarship awards of $50,000 each.
CONTACT/WEB: www.collegeboard.com/yes/fs/atc.html

Data Source: Wintergreen Orchard House Research: Meghan Dalesandro and Erika Schieck