SCHOLARSHIPS
Free Money!
by Raul Gonzalez
September 01, 2010
Below are scholarships that are available to high school Seniors who meet the requirements. Please make sure to mail completed applications along with supporting documents to the address provided on the scholarship application unless otherwise noted.
Deadlines are noted as either "postmarked" or received by dates. Students are responsible for mailing application by required deadlines unless otherwise noted in the instructions.
Scholarships which require a transcript must be requested from Mrs. S. Vasquez, Mrs. L. Garcia, or Mr. R. Gonzalez in advance.
NEWLY ADDED!!!!
Buick Achievers Scholarship Program
Applicant must:
- Be a high school seniors or high school graduates who are first-time college students in the fall of 2011.
- Plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at an accredited four-year college or university for the entire 2011-12 academic year.
- Plan to major in a course of study that focuses on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math).
- Be U.S. citizens and have permanent residence in the United States.
Award Criteria: Scholarship recipients are selected based on the following factors: A) Academic Need, B) Financial Need, C) Participation and leadership in community and school activities, work experience, educational and career goals, and unusual circumstances, and D) Special consideration will be given to first-generation college student, female, minority, military veteran or a dependent of military personnel.
Note: The majority of the scholarships will be awarded to students majoring in STEM fields, with a heavy emphasis on Engineering majors.
Amount:
- 1,000 Buick Achievers Scholarships of $2,000, available for four years and one additional year for those entering a five-year engineering program.
- 100 Buick Achievers National Scholarships of up to $25,000 per year, available for four years, and one additional year for those entering a five-year engineering program.
Application are available in the counseling center. Please come by and speak to either Mr. R. Gonzalez or Mrs. Lisa Garcia.
Al's Formal Wear Scholarship Application
Criteria: All applicants must be high school seniors and have applied to a college and/or university Fall 2011 admission. For complete scholarship rules, visit www.alsformalwear.com.
Please mail your application to:
- Al's Formal Wear Scholarship Committee
- 7807 Main Street
- Houston, TX 77030
Deadline: All applications must be completed accurately and returned on time! The deadline for returning your completed application is May 31, 2011 at 5:00p.m.
Willacy County Regional Detention Facility Scholarship
Criteria: Graduating Senior at Lasara High School. Must be a U.S. Citizen.
Amount: 2 @ $1000.00
Deadline: All applications for this scholarship must be received by Friday, April 15, 2011.
Application are available in the counseling center. Please come by and speak to either Mr. R. Gonzalez or Mrs. Lisa Garcia.
Mary "Sippy" Burnette Nursing Scholarship
Criteria: All graduating students who plan to enter the nursing field.
Amount: ?
Deadline: Applications are due to Hospital District's Office no later than 4:00p.m. on Monday, April 1, 2011.
Applications are available in the counseling center. Please come by and speak to either Mr. R. Gonzalez or Mrs. L. Garcia.
South Texas Federal Credit Union
Criteria: Only graduating high school students within the STFCU field of membership may apply.
Amount: 5 @ $1000.00
For application information, please see Mr. R. Gonzalez
DEADLINE: Must be received or postdated no later than APRIL 8, 2011
Access To Education Scholarship
Criteria: (Need Based) Open to high school seniors who plan to further their education at a college/university, US citizens or less. Apply on-line at http://www.usafunds.org/STUDENTS/Pages/Access2EdSchol.aspx
Deadline: February 15, 2011
ACT Poster Concept Contest
Criteria: For any High School 11th and 12th Graders. Students must design a poster (including visuals and tag line) that encourage students to attend college and to take the ACT test as their college entrance exam. Application is available at http://www.actstudent.org/postercontest/
Amount: $1,000-$5,000 Deadline: Postmarked by: January 31, 2011
Barbara Jordan Historical Essay Competition
Criteria: Open to students in grades 9th - 12th. Write 1,500-2,500 word essay on the topic, "The African American in Texas: Past and Present." Applications available online at http://www.utexas.edu/world/barbarajordan/
Amount: 1st prize: $2500; 2nd prize: $1500; and 3rd prize: $1,000
Deadline: January 31, 2011
Best Buy Scholarships
Criteria: The Best Buy Program will award scholarships to students in grades 9-12 living in the U.S. who plan to enter a full-time undergraduate course of study upon high school graduation. Apply on-line only at http://www.bestbuy-communityrelations.com/scholarship.htm
Amount: 1200 @ $1,000
Deadline: February 16, 2011
Daughters of the American Revolution National Society
Criteria: Senior who demonstrates qualities of dependability service, leadership, and patriotism. Multiple scholarships available online at http://www.dar.org/natsociety/edout_scholar.cfm
Amount: $500 and up to $3,000
Deadline: Varies
The Discover Scholarship Program
Criteria: High school juniors with a 2.75 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale for 9th and 10th grades, demonstrates accomplishments in community service and leadership and has faced a significant roadblock or challenge. Used for any type of post-high school education. Available online at http://www.discoverfinancial.com/community/scholarship.shtml
Amount: Up to 10 scholarships of $25,000 each
Deadline: January 31, 2011
The KFC Colonel's Scholars Program
Criteria: GPA 2.75, Seniors with entrepreneurial drive, strong perseverance, demonstrated financial need, and who want to pursue college education at an accredited public institution in the state they reside. Opens Dec. 1, 2010 online at http:/www.kfcscholars.org/
Amount: up to $20,000 to complete a bachelor's degree program
Deadline: February 9, 2011
Olive Garden Annual Pasta Tales Essay Contest
Criteria: Students in 1st through 12th grade can enter an online essay writing contest. Essay should be about, "describe how furthering your education beyond high school will help make your dreams come true." To submit essay, go to www.olivegarden.com/company/community/pasta_tales.asp
Amount: Trip to New York City and a $2,500 savings bond.
Deadline: Friday, January 21, 2011
National Honor Society (NHS) Scholarship Program
Provides $200,000 annually in scholarship awards (ranging from $1,000-$13,000). This program is a nomination process. Students cannot apply but must be nominated through their high school NHS chapter. If you are a high school senior, a member in good standing of your school's National Honor Society chapter, and wish to be considered for nomination, contact your local high school NHS Chapter Adviser or counselor.
Nomination: Nominees must be high school seniors and are required to write an essay.
Deadline: Postmarked by January 28, 2011.
Constitutional Essay Contest - Full Scholarship to UTPA
The University of Texas-Pan American announces an essay contest open to all high school students in the Region One ESC area.
Essay must fully and originally address the topic: "Is the U.S. Constitution manipulable, subject to reinterpretation based on modern concepts, or is it meant to be essentially immutable, defining a permanent relationship between government and citizens?"
Eligibility:
- Must be currently attending high school in the Region One ESC area.
- Must submit a well-supported essay between 1,000-1,250 words.
- Entries will be accepted between November 1-December 31, 2010.
Prizes:
- 1st Place: Four year renewable Scholarship to UTPA (valued at $22, 500)
- 2nd Place: $10,000 Scholarship to UTPA
- 3rd Place: $5,000 Scholarship to UTPA
- 10 Finalist: Laptop Computers
- *An alternate prize will be given to the first place student if he/she does not attend UTPA.
For more information, visit: http://portal.utpa.edu/utpa_main/daa_home/coah_home/pace_home/pace_events/pace_constituionalessay
UTSA Alumni Association Scholarship
This scholarship is available to deserving students who have been accepted to UTSA. The scholarship application is available at http://alumni.utsa.edu/scholarship and the deadline is February 15, 2011.
BURGER KING Scholars Program
$1000, $5000, and $25,000 scholarships are now available to all eligible high school seniors and BURGER KING employees.
Applicants must:
- Be residents of the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico
- Be graduating high school seniors (U.S. and Puerto Rico), graduating from grade 12 (Canada) or graduating from home school education in the U.S., Puerto Rico or Canada
- Have a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent
- Plan to enroll full-time, without interruption, for the entire 2011-12 academic year at an accredited two- or four-year college, university, or vocational-technical school in the U.S., Canada or Puerto Rico
For more information, visit
http://www.haveityourwayfoundation.org/bksp_scholarship_eligibility.html
Applications are Due: January 10, 2011.
Valley Telephone Cooperative, Inc
Valley Telephone Cooperative has initiated a college scholarship program and is now taking applications for 2011 scholarships. VTCI will award up to 10 scholarships of $2000 annually to the children of VTCI members pursuing undergraduate study at an accredited colleges and universities. There will be a maximum of one scholarship awarded in each of Valley Telephone's 10 voting districts. Awards are renewable up to three additional years or until a bachelor's degree is earned, whichever occurs first, based on recipients maintaining residency requirements, satisfactory academic performance (2.0GPA on a 4.0 scale), and full-time enrollment status at an accredited 2 or 4 year college or university. The renewal award amount will be increased by $250 each year if the student maintains a 3.0 grade point average or better in the prior year of college. Students may transfer to another accredited institution without penalty of losing their awards.
Applications should be sent to Scholarship Management Services, the organization that administers the scholarship program, including selecting the recipients.
Eligibility Requirements: Applicants for the VTCI Scholarship Program must:
- Be a dependent child (as defined in IRS publication 501 at www.irs.gov) of a current member of VTC resides in the Valley Telephone service territory, and who has been a member of the Cooperative for at least one year as of the application deadline date.
- Be a high school senior as of March 16, 2011. Have a minimum high school grade average of 80%.
- Be high school seniors who plan to enroll in a full-time undergraduate course of study at an accredited 2 or 4 year U.S. college or university in Fall, 2011. Recipient must maintain a 2.0 or better GPA average for annual renewal.
Application Deadline: March 16, 2011.
Applications are available in the counselor's office with Mr. R. Gonzalez or Mrs. L. Garcia.
Harlingen Mid-Valley Teacher Retirement Association
On behalf of the Harlingen Mid-Valley Teacher Retirement Association, it is our pleasure to offer two scholarships to students majoring in education. The Scholarships will be awarded upon student's written acceptance, meeting eligibility requirements and academic standing of the college of their choice.
Applications are available in the Counseling Center with Mr. R. Gonzalez or Mrs. L. Garcia.
Dell Scholars Program Scholarship
The Michael and Susan Dell Foundation has just released the application for the 2011 Dell Scholars Program Scholarship, with a deadline of January 15, 2011. In order to apply, a student must participate in an approved college readiness program and both GEAR UP and AVID are on that approved list! The scholarship amount is approximately $20,000, with about 300 talented students yet to be selected! Students can apply at Dellscholars.org
To be eligible to apply for the Dell Scholars Program scholarship, students must meet the below listed criteria:
• Participating in a Michael & Susan Dell Foundation approved college readiness program for a minimum of two years (GEAR UP, AVID, Upward Bound, etc.)
• Graduating from an accredited high school this academic year
• Earning a minimum of a 2.4 GPA
• Demonstrated need for financial assistance
• Planning to enter a bachelor's degree program at an accredited higher education institution in the fall directly after your graduation from high school.
• U.S. citizenship or permanent residency
Ronald McDonald House Charities Scholars
Eligibility: Currently enrolled high school seniors who are eligible to attend an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational/technical school with a complete course of study may apply for ONLY ONE RMHC scholarship program. There is currently two scholarships; one for everyone and the other for Hispanics. Applicants must be legal U.S. residents, be less than 21 years of age, have a minimum 2.7 GPA and reside within the geographic boundaries of a participating Chapter that offers scholarships.
Application requirements:
- Eligible students must submit a complete application and attach all of the required documentation or their application will not be reviewed.
- Applications must be postmarked no later than February 16, 2010.
For more information go to www.rmhc.org. If you have any questions, please come by the counseling office.
2011 GEAR UP Scholarship
The Gear Up Scholarship is a type of supplemental financial assistance that will help you pay for college in combination with federal, state and institutional aid you receive.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be a UTPA GEAR UP student
- Must complete the FAFSA and be Pell Grant eligible
- Must be a United States Citizen and less than 22 years of age at the time of the first award
- Must have a high school diploma or GED on or after January 1, 1993
- Must complete online application and submit all required documents by March 1, 2011
How to apply:
- Visit gearup.utpa.edu/scholarship starting January 1, 2011 for full scholarship directions
- Complete the online GEAR UP Scholarship Application
- Submit all required additional documentation by March 1, 2011.
Athletic Aid - Sport's Scholarship Information
Every year hundreds of university and college coaches go searching for a new group of talented athletes to recruit. Every year hundreds top schools award athletes over $1 billion in sports scholarships. The goal of this site is to help high school athletes find information and advice that can guide them through the university and college sports recruiting process to find the opportunity that is right for them. For more information, go to www.athleticaid.com.
Chicano Organizing & Research in Education (CORE)
Applicants must be or will be a high school/GED graduate who will enroll for the first time in an accredited college or university in the U.S. or Puerto Rico for the 2010-2011 academic year.
For more information, please go to: http://ca-core.org/scholarships
Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation
Criteria: Well-rounded senior with strong academic performance (3.0GPA) who has highly developed interests in their community as demonstrated through participation in extra-curricular and volunteer activities. Apply online only at https://www.coca-colascholars.org.
Amount: 50 @ 20,000 & 200 @ $10,000
Deadline: October 31, 2010
Dartmouth College
All students from families with incomes of $75,000 or less will receive free tuition. IN addition, many will also receive scholarships for associated cost of attendance, i.e. room, board, books and miscellaneous expenses. For more information, go to
http://www.dartmouth.edu/~news/releases/2008/01/22.html
Elks National Foundation's 2011 Most Valuable Student Contest
Available: September 1, 2010
Criteria: Any high school senior who is a citizen of the United States is eligible to apply. Applicants need not be related to a member of the Elks. College students are not eligible to apply. Applicants must be citizens of the United States on the date their applications are signed; permanent legal resident status does not qualify. Male and female students complete separately. Applicants will be judged on scholarship, leadership, and financial need.
Most Valuable Student scholarships are for students pursuing a four-year degree, on a full-time basis (minimum of 12 semester hours) in a U.S. college or university.
Amount: Ranging from $1,000 - $15,000 per year
Deadline: TBA
For more information, visit: http://www.elks.org/enf/scholars/mvs.cfm.
Gates Millennium Scholars
Criteria: The Gates Millennium Scholars (GMS), funded by a grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, provides low income African American, American Indian/Alaska Natives, Asian Pacific Islander American, and Hispanic American students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in any discipline area of interest. US citizen, GPA 3.3 on a 4.0 scale (unweighted), entering US accredited college or university in the Fall of 2011, demonstrated leadership abilities through community service, extracurricular or other activities, meet Federal Pell Grant Eligibility. Apply online at http://www.gmsp.org.
Amount: Varies
Deadline: Online application must be submitted by January 10, 2011.
Harvard University Financial Aid Initiative
Announced in December of 2007, Harvard has dramatically reduced the amount expected by families to contribute to the cost of their students' Harvard education. Harvard no longer require students to take out loans, and parents of financial aid recipients are asked to contribute on average from zero to ten percent of their annual income, with no contribution expected for families with incomes of under $60,000. Those parents with annual incomes of between $120,000 and $180,000 are asked to contribute an average ten percent of their income, with a declining percentage - from ten to zero - for parents with annual incomes between $120,000 and $60,000. Form more information, http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/financial_aid/index.html.
Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities
This scholarship helps students further their education by informing them of different academic and conference scholarship programs available to Hispanic students. For more information please go to
http://www.hacu.net/hacu/Scholarships_EN.asp?SnID=1076343746
Hispanic Scholarship Fund
Criteria: HSF offers different scholarship programs for Hispanic American students enrolled full-time in a degree-seeking program at a U.S. accredited Title-IV eligible institution. Apply online at http://apply.hsf.net/application. Available September 1st.
Amount: $1,000 to $5,000
Deadline: December 15, 2010
Horatio Alger Scholarship
Criteria: Senior who demonstrates integrity, perseverance in overcoming adversity, and strength of character, financial need, a good academic record (2.0 GPA), commitment to pursue a college education and a desire to contribute to society. Apply online at: https://www.horatioalger.org/scholarships/apply.cfm
Amount: TBA
Deadline: October 30, 2010
James Patterson's Book Dollars for Scholars
"Books Dollars for Scholars" is a contest open to high school seniors who will have an opportunity to win one of fifty-six gift certificates, ranging from $250 to $5,000 apiece, for use at any IndieBound - affiliated independent bookstore.
For more information, got to: http://jamespatterson.com/dollars-for-scholars-entries.php
Amount: $250 - $5000
Deadline: December 31, 2010
Latino College Dollars
This website provides a variety of different scholarships that can be viewed depending on your particular level of education and grades. Simply fix the scroll down boxes to match your classifications at the top of the web page and it will provide a list of available scholarships.
For more information, please go to: http://latinocollegedollars.org/
League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
Requirements: Students must be enrolled full-time in a college or a university - or will be in an upcoming semester. Award amount is based on GPA and ACT/SAT scores.
For more information, go to http://www.sacramentolulac.com/Scholarships.htm.
Magic Valley Electric Cooperative Scholarship Fund Available: October 1, 2010
MVEC continues to support the youth of our area through a Scholarship Program for deserving high school seniors. Demonstrating the Co-op’s commitment to education, scholarships are awarded to graduating seniors in our service area each year.
Amount: $20,000
Deadline: TBA
For more information and application, go to:
http://www.magicvalley.coop/community/scholarship-program/
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT makes all their undergraduate admission decisions without regard to family financial circumstances. They award all their aid based on financial need. They also meet the full need of each student.
For more information go to,
http://web.mit.edu/sfs/financial_aid/prospective_freshmen_and_transfer.html
Migrant Farmworker Scholarships
Criteria: Assists migrant students financially who have the potential and the desire to further their education to achieve their personal and career goals. Eligible applicants must be entering post-secondary programs.
For more migrant scholarships online, go to http://www.migrant.net/migrant/scholarships.htm
Amount: Grants ranging from $150 - $500
Deadline: None
Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation Scholarship
Criteria: Academically superior Senior, U. S. citizen or resident. Senior must demonstrate financial need and must attend a Texas University. Applications will be available at the Counselors Office.
Amount: Four Year Scholarship
Deadline: September 20, 2010
Prudential Spirit Of Community Award
Criteria: Open to students enrolled in grades 5-12. Complete application online at www.prudential.com/spirit and submit a copy to Mr. R. Gonzalez.
Amount: up to $6000.
Deadline: November 1, 2010
South Texas Academic Rising Scholars (STARS)
South Texas Academic Rising Scholars (STARS) was founded with the goal of making higher education accessible to the students of South Texas. The STARS Scholarship Foundation of South Texas has helped local students obtain higher education at the college or university of their choice.
Applications for the 2011-2012 STARS Scholarship will become available on January 1, 2011.
For more information, go to: https://www.southtexasstars.org/
Stanford University
Students who have parents who earn a total income below $100,000 and typical assets for this income range, are ensured that all tuition charges are covered with need-based scholarship, federal and state grants, and /or outside scholarship funds. For more information, go to http://www.stanford.edu/dept/finaid/undergrad/how/parent.html.
State Farm Texas Scholar Athlete Program
Criteria: Is available for Seniors who will graduate with the the class of 2011. Student must maintain a 3.0 GPA or equivalent, and currently participate in at least one UIL Varsity High School sport. To be nominated, contact your counselor. For more information, go to http://www.texasscholarathlete.com/about/whoweare.aspx.
Amount: $1,000
Deadline: Ongoing until April 15, 2011
Wal-Mart Foundation
This website describes different scholarships from Wal-Mart available to graduating seniors around the United States. For more information about each individual scholarship, visit:
http://walmartstores.com/CommunityGiving/8736.aspx?p=236
Deadline: TBA
Universities Deadlines
- Texas State University December 15, 2010
- Scholarship Application on Apply Texas Application
- Texas A&M University at College Station December 1, 2010
- Scholarship application on the Apply Texas Application
- The University of Texas at Austin December 1, 2010
- Scholarship application on the Apply Texas Application
- The University of North Texas at Dallas TBA
- For more information, go to
- https://essc.unt.edu/finaid/scholarships_terry.htm
- The University of Texas at San Antonio TBA
- Scholarship information is available at: http://admissions.utsa.edu/Default.aspx?tabid=286
- Texas A&M University Scholarships
- Criteria: A variety of scholarships are available. The scholarship application and essay topics are available via the Apply Texas Application. To view more information, go to
- https://scholarships.tamu.edu/
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: December 01, 2010
- Texas A&M University-Kingsville
- Criteria: Music Scholarships are based upon musical talent and potential as displayed through a musical scholarship audition. Audition at A&M-Kingsville campus by contacting the Music Department. For more information go to,
- http://www.tamuk.edu/music/MusicDept/scholarships.html
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: TBA
- University of Texas at Austin Scholarships
- Criteria: Students who are interested in attending UT-Austin University must apply for admissions and submit a scholarship application. The scholarship application and essay topics are available via the Apply Texas Application at www.applytexas.org. To view scholarships: http://www.texasscholarships.org
- Amount: Varies
- Deadline: December 1, 2010
- University of Texas at Brownsville and "The Imagine College!" Program
- This program will cover all tuition and fees for first time, full-time freshman Texas residents with a family income of $30,000 or less. For more information, go to http://www.utb.edu/em/fa/Pages/FAImagineCollege.aspx
- University of Texas at Pan American "Excellence" Award
- Criteria: Variety of scholarships, most require US citizenship or legal permanent resident status. The selection of this award is given on a competitive basis. The student must have a GPA of at least a 2.5 and be a full-time enrollment status at UTPA. Students must apply for admissions online at www.appytexas.org and complete the scholarship application online at
- http://portal.utpa.edu/utpa_main/dess_home/sfs_home/sfs_sources/sfs_scholarships/sfs_sch1#excellence
- University of Texas at Pan American "University Scholar"
- Criteria: Must meet the following guidelines. Scroll down on that particular page to see the different tiers.
- Deadline: October 1, 2010
- FOR OTHER SCHOLARSHIPS: https://portal.utpa.edu/portal/page/portal/utpa_main/dess_home/admissions_home_new/admissions_images_main_site/Scholarship%20Guide-web.pdf
