Scholarship Opportunities For Community College Students
The number of scholarship opportunities continues to grow for community college students. Phi Theta Kappa members are leaders on college campuses both scholastically and in terms of campus and community involvement, making them excellent candidates for scholarships. We strongly encourage members to take advantage of the following scholarship opportunities.
Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Program
College sophomores may be nominated by their two-year institutions for the Barry M.
Goldwater Scholarship Program. The Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship & Excellence in
Education Foundation will award undergraduate scholarships to students who have
outstanding potential and intend to pursue careers in mathematics, the natural
sciences, or engineering. To be considered, a student must be nominated by his
or her college using the official nomination materials available to each
institution on the Foundation's website. Each scholarship covers eligible expenses
for undergraduate tuition, fees, books, and room and board, up to a maximum of $7,500 annually.
The Trustees intend to award up to 300 Goldwater Scholarships.
Coca-Cola Two-Year Scholars Program
The Coca-Cola Two-Year Colleges Scholarship Program was created in 2000 through a
grant from the Joseph B. Whitehead Foundation. This program recognizes students
attending two-year degree granting institutions for their unique contributions to
community service and academic excellence. Students must be nominated by their
college campus. Nomination materials are sent to the Financial Aid Office at all
two-year, degree granting institutions in the United States in February. Up to
400 $1,000 scholarships are awarded for continuation of associate-degree studies.
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts - Putnam Scholarship Fund
There are a number of scholarships available through the
Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. As is evident by the name, the
majority of these scholarships are for students from Massachsetts. However, there
is one scholarship they administer that is of national scope, the Putnam
Scholarship Fund. This scholarship provides money for African American and
Latino students who attend college. To be eligible for consideration, all
applicants must submit the application materials as well as a student aid report, Please Note a pastoral letter of reference from any denomination is highly recommended for the Putnam
Scholarships.
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Program
This program awards approximately 50 scholarships to students attending community
colleges or two-year institutions and plan to transfer to four-year institutions.
Each award covers a portion of educational expenses, including tuition, living
expenses, required fees, and books for the final two to three years of the
baccalaureate degree. The amount and duration of awards vary by student based on
the cost of attendance and the length of the program as well as other scholarships
or grants received. The maximum available per student is $30,000 per year.
Students interested in this scholarship must be nominated by the Jack Kent Cooke
Foundation Faculty Representative at their institutions.
Hispanic Scholarship Fund - Community College Transfer Scholarship Program
The Community College Transfer Scholarship Program is designed to assist community
college students of Hispanic heritage obtain a bachelor's degree. It is available
to community college students with concrete plans to transfer to a four-year
institution, the following academic year. Award amounts generally range from $1,000 to $2,500. Applicants must
be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident and have a cumulative 3.0 grade
point average.
Jeannette Rankin Foundation
The Jeannette Rankin Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising
funds for, and awarding grants to, low-income women, age 35 and older. Each year
JRF awards grants to low-income women who have a vision of how their education will
benefit themselves, their families, and their communities. Grants are for $2,000,
and are typically distributed through the financial aid office, but are not
restricted to tuition expenses. Award money can be used for books, supplies,
transportation, childcare, or other expenses that will help the recipient achieve
her educational goals. Selection is competitive, which means that meeting the
eligibility requirements does not guarantee the receipt of a grant.
National Institutes of Health Undergraduate Scholarship Program for Individuals with Disadvantaged Backgrounds
The NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program (UGSP) offers competitive scholarships to exceptional students from disadvantage backgrounds who are committed to biomedical, behavioral, and social science research centers at the NIH. The program offers scholarship support as well as paid research training and employment at the NIH during the summer and after graduation. The NIH UGSP will pay up to $20,000 per academic year. Scholarships are awarded up to 1 year and can be renewed up to 4 years. Students must be from a disadvantaged background, a U.S. citizen, national or qualified non-citizen, and have a 3.5 GPA or higher or be in the top 5% of your class.
National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation
This scholarship is for undergraduate students pursuing a certificate,
associate degree, or bachelor degree in a restaurant and/or foodservice-related
program. To be considered for this scholarship, an applicant is required to be
currently enrolled in college and have completed at least one semester in a
restaurant and/or foodservice-related program; have a minimum, cumulative grade
point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale; have a minimum of 750 hours of work
experience in the restaurant and foodservice industry verified by pay stubs or
letter(s) from employer(s); and submit one to three letter(s) of recommendation
from a current or previous employer. The award amount is $2,000.
National Society of Accountants Scholarship Foundation
The NSA Scholarship Foundation provides financial encouragement to promising accounting students across the country. The Foundation awards up to 40 scholarships per year to undergraduates enrolled in a degree program at an accredited two-year or four-year college or university. Applicants for awards are judge on the basis of scholastic achievement, demonstrated leadership ability and financial need. Applicants must be majoring in accounting, have a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and be a United States or Canadian citizen. Awards range from $500 to $2000.
The Sallie Mae 911 Education Fund Scholarship Program The Sallie Mae 911 Education Fund was created in response to the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001 . The scholarship program is open to children of those who were killed or permanently disabled as a result of the terrorist attacks who are enrolled as full-time undergraduate students at approved, accredited institutions. Scholarship awards are available up to $2,500 per applicant, per school year, and may be renewed on an annual academic basis subject to satisfactory academic progress.
The Sallie Mae Fund American Dream Scholarship Program Established in partnership with the United Negro College Fund, the American Dream Scholarship Program is open to African Americans with financial needs. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents, with a minimum 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale), who meet Pell Grant eligibility criteria, and are enrolled full time at approved, accredited, undergraduate institutions. Scholarships range from $500 to $5000.
The Sallie Mae Fund First in FamilyŽ Scholarship Program The First in My FamilyŽ Scholarship Program, developed in partnership with the Hispanic College Fund, offers scholarships to Hispanic-American students who are the first in their family to attend college and have financial needs. This program is open to Hispanic Americans who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled a s full-time undergraduate students at approved, accredited institutions. Students must have 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) scale. Scholarships range from $500 to $5000.
The Sallie Mae Fund Unmet Need Scholarship Program For many students, the unmet need of college cost and the financial aid package is too big to manage. The Sallie Mae Fund will provide $1 million in 2005 to help meet last dollar needs of low-income students through the Unmet Need Scholarship Program, administered by Scholarship Management Services, a department of Scholarship America. Scholarship awards, ranging from $1,000 to $3,800, will be made payable to the school on behalf of the student and are intended to supplement, rather than substitute for, aid received from an institution. To be eligible, students must have a cumulative GPA between 2.5 and 3.0, as well as meet criteria of eligibility.
The Sunshine Lady Foundation - Women's Independence Scholarship Program
The Women's Independence Scholarship Program (WISP) was created in 1999 to help
formerly battered women overcome barriers to the education necessary for their
becoming employable and financially stable. The primary intent is to help single
mothers with young children who have the greatest financial challenges (childcare
costs, etc.) to gain work skills so they can support their families. To be
eligible to apply for this scholarship, the applicant must be a direct survivor
of domestic violence (partner abuse). Applications should be submitted as early
as possible, but no later than 2 months before the start date of the program to
be attended. Applications are accepted at any time of year. There is no set
dollar amount. The first priority are awards for tuition, books and fees
paid directly to the educational institution. The next priority is to assist in reducing
indirect financial barriers to education (for example, childcare,
transportation, etc.). The average award is around $2,000. Support is available for full or part-time students attending an accredited vocational, community college or four year degree program.
