Gear Up Scholarship Bulletin - March 26

STUDENT RECRUITMENT & OUTREACH EVENTS

OPTIONAL PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Resources:

  • WAGU Featured Resource: Which Financial Aid Is the Best to Accept? This handout accompanies the 12th Year Campaign Junior/Senior Student Workbook, which guides students through navigating college admissions and financial aid.

  • A Quick Guide to Financial Aid Award Letters. From MCAN. In a typical FAFSA year, students would have already received admissions letters, and financial aid packages would soon follow. These offers — often referred to as award letters — are sure to spark conversations about college affordability between students, families, and college attainment professionals. The rocky rollout of the Better FAFSA means that students will receive their financial aid awards much later this year. Here are a few critical things that students and families need to know about financial aid offers when theirs do arrive.

IN THE NEWS

 

SCHOLARSHIPS & OPPORTUNITIES

Find more opportunities at: https://gearup.wa.gov/educators/scholarships.

  • Scholarship Junkies’ Free Scholarship Bank. Scholarship Junkies has launched their brand-new Scholarship Bank! This organization is a reputable and safe source to search for scholarships.

  • Summer Melt Scholarship. The GEAR UP Alumni Association is offering $500 scholarships to 25 GEAR UP high school seniors who will be entering a postsecondary education this fall. Students must be part of a GEAR UP program and provide proof of acceptance / enrollment at a higher education institution. Students who need support to pay for various fees are encouraged to apply. Due Apr. 7.

  • Get Schooled’s Resilient Roots $2000 Scholarship. For HS seniors/Class of 2024. The Resilient Roots scholarship celebrates young adults like you! The last 4 years have been a whirlwind of change, but you've demonstrated great strength and adaptability through it all.  To apply, share an experience that has helped you grow resilient roots and how that resilience will help you achieve your future goals! Due Apr. 15.

  • ETV Program is Accepting 2024-2025 Applications. Do you know students experiencing foster care who are planning to enroll in an accredited college, university, technical, vocational, or dual credit high school program? The Education and Training Voucher (ETV) Program offers financial assistance to eligible youth (up to $5,000 per academic year and $2,000 for dual credit)! To learn more about the program, eligibility, and to apply for the 2024–2025 school year, please visit the ETV webpage or feel free to email ETVWash@dcyf.wa.gov with questions. To meet the priority deadline, apply by Apr. 30. All applications received after Apr. 30 will be awarded on a funds available basis.

  • Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve. (Whidbey Island) Applications are currently open for student attendees and teacher/mentors. The application deadlines are May 17 for students and April 26 for teacher/mentors. Students will explore topics related to maritime heritage and the impact of climate change on the preservation of historic and cultural resources. There will be opportunities to engage in hands-on activities to help conservation efforts, visit historic sites throughout the Reserve, learn about co-management of cultural resources, and to better understand this historic area. July 16-19.

  • National First-Generation Recognition Program. From College Board. For HS students whose parent(s) does not have a bachelor’s degree or has some education that is less than a bachelor’s degree. Due Jun. 14.

College Scholarship, Brief Description and Due Date

National Institutes of Health (NIH) Undergraduate Scholarship Program

For students from disadvantaged backgrounds who are committed to careers in biomedical, behavioral, and social science health-related research. Must be accepted to an accredited 4-year institution. Up to $20,000 per year. Renewable for 4 years.

3/29

National Federation of the Blind Scholarship Program

($3,000-$12,000) – For blind scholars. All scholarships awarded are based on academic excellence, community service, and leadership.

3/31

LULAC National Scholarship Fund

Designed to help youth in underserved communities make the dream of college enrollment a reality.

3/31

Scholarship Poetry Contest - Summer Issue

Open to all U.S. HS students. Applicant must submit an original poem with 20 lines or less. Up to $500.

3/31

AFA Teens Scholarship

This Alzheimer’s Awareness College Scholarship Essay Contest is an annual competition for college-bound HS seniors.  The grand prize winner receives $5,000, with additional prizes awarded for runners-up.

4/1

Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund

(Up to $15,000 per Year) - These need-based scholarships are awarded to students who can do academic work at the college or university level or are enrolled in a trade or technical program and who are active in the progressive movement.

4/1

STEM Stars Actuarial Scholarship Program

($20,000). The STEM Stars Actuarial Scholars Program was created to help increase diversity in the actuarial profession.

4/1

American Foreign Service Association National HS Essay Contest

For 9-12th graders. Must submit an essay related to Foreign Service. The winner receives $2,500 a trip to Washington, D.C. to meet the Secretary of State, and full tuition for a Semester at Sea educational voyage.

4/1

The USDA 1994 Tribal Scholars Program

The program provides full tuition, employment, employee benefits, fees, books, and room and board each year for up to 4 years to selected students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in agriculture, food science, natural resource science, or a related academic discipline at one of 35 federally recognized tribal colleges and universities. The scholarship may be renewed each year, contingent upon satisfactory academic performance and normal progress toward the bachelor's degree.

4/10

KMR Group Foundation

($1,000-$3,500) For HS seniors graduating in Southwest Washington. Applicant must be currently enrolled or will be enrolled in Clark College, Lower Columbia College, or Mt. Hood Community College.

4/12

USDA/1890 National Scholars Program

Scholarships are awarded annually and must be used at one of the 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities. Each award provides full tuition, as well as room and board, for the term of the scholarship. The scholarship may be renewed each year, contingent upon satisfactory academic performance and normal progress toward the bachelor's degree.

4/15

Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

($10,000) - Honoring outstanding young leaders (ages 8-18) currently working on an inspiring service project or have done so within the past 12 months. Student needs to be working as an individual to lead their service work. The Barron Prize does not accept applications from large groups of young people.

4/15

Incight Scholarship

($500-$2,500) - Incight awards up to one hundred scholarships to students with disabilities, who have demonstrated outstanding merit in giving back to the community and overcoming obstacles to pursue higher education. These scholarships range in value from $500 to $2,500. Open to students who are residents of OR, WA, or CA.

4/15

LEAP Rise Above (aka LEAP1%) Scholarship Fund

The Latine Educational Achievement Project Scholarship Fund provides financial support for students who demonstrate a history of advocacy, responsibility, accountability, and perseverance; are go-getters, and have shown or have the strong potential to be contributors to their community.

4/15

SEA-MAR - Farm Worker Scholarship

For students who work or have worked OR whose parent/legal guardian is or has worked as a farm worker.

4/15

WWIN Star Scholar (Formerly - Washington Women in Need Education Grant)

Each WWIN Star Scholar receives up to $5,000 per academic year and up to $20,000 over her undergraduate college career at the approved Washington college or university of her choice. For females 18 and older.

4/18

Chin: Shui Kuen & Allen Chin Scholarship

For incoming freshman or current, full-time undergraduate at a four-year college or university. Student or parent currently/formerly employed at an Asian-owned or Asian cuisine restaurant. Any ethnic heritage.
Community advocacy and social justice work on behalf of Asian American, immigrant, gay and lesbian, and/or other progressive causes

4/26

Washington Association of County Officials

($3,000) - The fund awards up to three $3,000 scholarships to eligible children of county employees and county elected officials in the following offices: assessors, auditors, clerks, coroners, medical examiners, prosecutors, sheriffs, and treasurers. Recipients must be full-time students in a baccalaureate degree, associate degree, or vocational/technical certification program.

4/30

All About Education Scholarship

($3,000) - In 250 words or less submit a response to the question: "How will a $3,000 scholarship for education make a difference in your life?"

4/30

E-waste Scholarship

($1,000) - Complete the application form including a 140-character message about e-waste. The top 10 applications will be selected as finalists. The finalists will be asked to write a full-length 500- to 1,000-word essay about e-waste.

4/30

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