Tips for filling out scholarship applications:

Make sure you are qualified for the scholarship

This may seem obvious, but it bears mentioning. You may have friends that are applying for this scholarship or that one, but don't feel like you need to jump on the bandwagon. Whether you're attending a specific university, plan to study a particular subject, or have an affinity for a unique hobby, there's more than likely a scholarship out there tailored to your unique qualifications.

Read the directions carefully.

Believe it or not, many scholarship applications are immediately discarded because the applicant failed to follow directions. Don't let this happen to you! Once you've located a scholarship you feel confident you can win, read the directions and reread them. Whether the scholarship requires you write an essay, fill out a form, or a combination of both, make sure you completely understand what the institution awarding the scholarship is asking of you and follow those instructions explicitly.

Develop a plan of attack.

Before you even begin filling out the scholarship application or writing the required essay, make sure you have a good sense of exactly how you wish to proceed. Make note of any personal strengths and accomplishments you wish to emphasize. If you're having difficulty  with this portion, ask a trusted teacher or friend what they think you should highlight. Laying out everything you wish to cover in outline form will help you to avoid mistakes on the application.

Don’t be afraid to let yourself shine.

On scholarship applications, you want to be honest, but avoid being too modest. If you feel that you have contributed a great deal to your community, for example, let the organization awarding the scholarship know and pinpoint specific examples that support your opinion. While you want your confidence to shine through, you don't want to come off as too cocky either. For example, if they ask you about your weaknesses, don't say that you don't have any. Instead pick a weakness you have and turn it into a positive. For example, if you are shy, let them know that you're making an effort to become more social by participating more in community events.

Have someone else review your application .

Whether it's a teacher, a parent, or a good friend whose writing skills you trust, always have at least one other person read your application documents before sending them in for consideration. You could read your own application five times and fail to notice tiny errors that may well stand out and count against you when the organization awarding the scholarship reviews your application. Your chosen application reviewer may also suggest information you overlooked that you can add to your application.

Practice makes perfect.

Your application is now ready to be mailed. Is it time to relax yet? Not so fast! Why cool your heels waiting for a response when there are many other scholarships for which you can apply? You’ve already knocked out your first application, which is undoubtedly the most difficult. You're on a roll now. Keep applying! You can always use more free money for college. Taken from: Collegexpress articles and advice

More Scholarship Resources:

The Ultimate Scholarship Book - Check it out at your local public library.

Kentucky Scholarships

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Scholarship Opportunities 

Updated 05/16/2023

BCTC MOMENTUM SCHOLARSHIP

This BCTC Momentum Scholarship is available for full-time, first-year BCTC students who have successfully completed 12 dual credit hours at BCTC with a cumulative BCTC GPA of 2.5.  We are excited to help you keep up the momentum at BCTC!

BCTC Momentum Scholarship Eligibility Requirements:

• The BCTC Momentum Scholarship is available for full-time, first year BCTC students who have successfully completed 12 dual credit hours at BCTC with a cumulative GPA of 2.5.
• The scholarship award is comprised of a 50% tuition reduction not to exceed $2,500 for the academic year.
• The scholarship is for BCTC DC students who return to BCTC within 12 months of high school graduation.
• This scholarship is for students who have not yet completed their associate degree.  It is renewable for a total of four consecutive semesters (excluding the summer semester) or until the requirements for completion of an associate degree are met, whichever comes first.
• The scholarship is contingent on successfully completing at least 12 credit hours of BCTC courses per semester and maintaining a semester GPA of 2.5 or higher in BCTC classes.
• The scholarship is applied as a last dollar scholarship once all other aid (scholarships and grants) has been applied to the student’s account.  All students will be required to follow scholarship protocol, including completing FAFSA.
• The scholarship is non-refundable.
• There are limited funds for this scholarship and awards will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.

https://bluegrass.kctcs.edu/dual-credit/tuition-and-scholarship-information.aspx#momentum

P.E.O. Star Scholarship

     Deadline:  September 20, 2022

Award: $2,500

The P.E.O. Star scholarship is a non-renewable $2,500 scholarship awarded to one exceptional high school graduating woman to attend accredited postsecondary educational institutions in the United States & Canada in the next academic year.

Please submit a one-page essay that would convince the local P.E.O. chapter to consider you as a national nominee to nanrex65@yahoo.com.  Candidates will be selected for interviews in late September and a final chapter vote will take place in October.

Heisman Scholarship

     Deadline:  October 18, 2022

Award:  $1,000 to $10,000

Winning a Heisman High School Scholarship requires a weighted GPA of 3.0 or better, participation in at least one sport, and demonstrated leadership at school and in the community.  Apply at heismanscholarship.com.  

Coca Cola Scholars Program Scholarship

     Deadline: October 31, 2022

Award: $20,000

To be eligible for consideration, applicants must be:

• Current high school OR home-schooled students attending school in one of the 50 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or select DoD schools who will graduate high school during the 2022-2023 academic school year (students graduating from an American or expat school abroad are not eligible for this award; individuals who have already graduated from high school are not eligible)
• U.S. Citizens (not Temporary Residents), U.S. Nationals, U.S. Permanent Residents, Refugees, Asylees, Cuban-Haitian Entrants, OR Humanitarian Parolees - based on the guidelines utilized by U.S. Department of Education for Federal Financial Aid eligibility
• Planning to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. college or university

Applicants may not be:

• Children or grandchildren of current employees, officers, or owners of Coca-Cola bottling companies, The Coca-Cola Company, Company divisions or subsidiaries
• Children or grandchildren of former employees, officers, or owners of Coca-Cola bottling companies, The Coca-Cola Company, Company divisions or subsidiaries who are currently receiving retirement benefits from those entities
• Students attending school outside of the 50 U.S. states or Puerto Rico (with the exception of students attending select DoD schools; students graduating from an American or expat school abroad are not eligible for this award, even if they meet the citizenship criteria above)
• High school graduates (if you received a high school diploma prior to the 2022-2023 school year, you are not eligible)
• Temporary Residents (if your permanent legal residence is outside the U.S., you are not eligible)

Apply here:  https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/apply/

VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship

     Deadline: October 31, 2022

Award: $1,000 to $35,000

Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay.  Each year, nearly 25,000 9-12 grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $2 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program. 

The national first place winner receives a $35,000 scholarship paid directly to the recipient’s American university, college or vocational/technical school. A complete list of other national scholarships range from $1,000-$21,000, and the first place winner from each VFW Department (state) wins at least a scholarship of $1,000. Before submitting your essay, read the rules and eligibility requirements, and find your sponsoring local VFW Post as applications must be turned in by midnight, Oct. 31. Download and complete the 2022-2023 Voice of Democracy entry form here.

43rd Annual Youth Salute Scholarship (OPEN TO 2023 JUNIORS)

     Deadline:  November 6, 2022

Award: Up to $4,000

The Central Kentucky Council on Youth Leadership will award over $84,000 this year.  To qualify, a student must:

1. Be a high school junior (senior class of 2024)
2. Have at least a cumulative 3.0 GPA through their sophomore year
   (Any student who maintains a 3.0 GPA by the end of their fall semester of their junior year may submit a late application by January 15,  2023.)
3. Have held or currently hold TWO LEADERSHIP ROLES to which they were chosen by their peers or an adult leader within the past two years in school, religious or community-sponsored organizations.

Application packets may be picked up in the GUIDANCE OFFICE.

Regeneron Science Talent Search

     Deadline:  November 9, 2022

Award:  $2,000

The Regeneron Science Talent Search 2022 application is now open through November 9, 2022. Applications are only accepted through the online system and must be properly submitted by the application deadline, which will fall in mid-November of 2022. Regeneron STS identifies future leaders in science, and uses a holistic review process that includes many components. Documents, rules and information regarding the 2023 application can be found at https://www.societyforscience.org/regeneron-sts/application-requirements/

National Space Club Scholarship

     Deadline: November 15, 2022

Award: $15,000

Since 2013, The National Space Club and Foundation has offered the opportunity for a student to give the keynote address at the National Space Club and Foundation's annual Goddard Memorial Dinner, one of the space industry's most prestigious gatherings. The student must intend to pursue a career in the Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) fields, be academically strong and excel in public speaking.

In addition to speaking at the Goddard Memorial Dinner, the individual selected will also receive a scholarship, in the amount of $15,000. This scholarship is awarded to a U.S. citizen, and is open to seniors in High School through graduate students studying at an accredited educational institution in the United States, who has definite plans to pursue a career in the STEM fields.

Requirements: 

• The applicant must be a U.S. citizen.
• The scholarship is open to seniors in high school through graduate students.
• The applicant must have the intention of pursuing a career in the STEM fields and plan to attend an accredited U.S. college or university to follow a course of study to pursue a career in the STEM field, with a preference for those with space related interests.
• The applicant can only use the $15,000.00 scholarship towards tuition for the 2023-2024 academic year.
• The applicant must not have previously spoken at the Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Dinner.

Details can be found at: https://www.spaceclub.org/scholarship/index.html

Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship

     Deadline: November 17, 2022

Award:  Up to $55,000 per year

The Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program is the largest undergraduate scholarship program available to high-achieving high school seniors with financial need who seek to attend the nation’s best four-year colleges and universities. In addition to the monetary award, Cooke Scholars receive comprehensive educational advising, significant cohort-based programming, and graduate school funding, as well as a thriving network of nearly 3,200 fellow Cooke Scholars and Alumni.

Each award is intended to cover a significant share of the student’s educational expenses – including tuition, living expenses, books and required fees. Awards vary by individual, based on the cost of tuition as well as other grants or scholarships he or she may receive.

This highly competitive scholarship includes:

• Up to $55,000 per year to attend a four-year accredited undergraduate school
• Ability to pursue any area of study
• Personal advising about selecting a college and navigating financial aid
• Multifaceted advising about how to transition to college and maximize the college student experience

Eligibility Requirements:

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Senior standing – Plan to graduate from a U.S. high school in spring 2023.
• Fall College Enrollment – Intend to enroll in an accredited four-year college beginning in fall 2023.
• GPA – Earn a minimum, cumulative unweighted GPA of 3.5 or above.
• Demonstrate Unmet Financial Need – We will consider applicants with family annual gross income up to $95,000. During the selection process, the Foundation will conduct a full financial review which will take into account all income and assets of the student and the student’s parents.

To apply, visit: https://www.jkcf.org/our-scholarships/college-scholarship-program/

Jefferson Scholarship

     Deadline: November 21, 2022

Award: Up to $333,000

Jefferson Scholarships provide the entire cost of attendance at the University of Virginia and many supplemental enrichment experiences.

Successful candidates have demonstrated exceptional leadership talents, an understanding of the broader community around them, and uncommon academic abilities. 

For information about being nominated for this scholarship, please contact your guidance counselor.

William T. Robertson Scholarship

     Deadline:  November 26, 2022

Award: $2,000

The Kentucky Concrete Association is now accepting essay submissions for its annual $2000 William T. Robertson High School Essay Scholarship.  The scholarship contest is open to Kentucky resident high school seniors.  The contest winner will be awarded a $2,000 scholarship to be paid to the college or university of their choice in their freshman semester and will also be invited to attend the 2023 KCA Winter Convention to accept their award.  Attached is a flyer for the essay contest, and more information is below:

Essay Prompt: How have you (or your community) been Shaped by Concrete?  Learn more at shapedbyconcrete.com.

The essay submission process is different from previous years, so please pay close attention, as paper submissions will not be accepted.  

The essay contest rules are as follows:

• Student must be a current senior in high school graduating in the 2022-2023 school year.
• Essays must address the essay prompt directly.
• Essays must be a written by a single student and shall not be collaborative in nature.
• Essays must be submitted using the online submission form.
• Essay must be received by Saturday, November 26th, 2022 at 11:59 p.m.
• Essays must be limited to 600 words.

Please submit your essay here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSflE2mRV0zYD2FCZH9Mb73u6W665NSY9p1N0Bt9x91cgbWfWg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Nitro Scholarship Sweepstakes

     Deadlines: 11/30/2022 and 12/31/2022

Award: $2,000

The $2,000 Nitro Scholarship Sweepstakes is only open to legal residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, age 17 or older at the time of entry, and who meet one (1) of the five (5) following eligibility requirements at the time of entry:

1. a parent who currently has a child enrolled in an accredited college or university located within the United States;
2. a student who is currently enrolled in an accredited college or university located within the United States;
3. a parent who currently has a child enrolled as a high school senior located within the United States;
4. a student who is currently enrolled as a high school senior located with the United States; 
5. a student or a parent whose child has graduated from an accredited undergraduate school (a “School) and who is currently paying back a student or parent loan for his/her/child’s educational expenses for such School (“Entrant”).

Visit https://www.nitrocollege.com/nitro-scholarship-application to enter.

Forcht Bank Community Impact Scholarship

Deadline:  November 30, 2022

Award:  $5,000

If you have impacted your community, let us know and you could earn one of three $5,000 Community Impact Scholarships from Forcht Bank to assist with expenses at a two or four-year accredited college or university. For additional details and to begin the application process, please visit www.forchtbank.com/discover/community-impact-scholarship. Questions about the application or timeline? Contact Alex Hernandez, Marketing Coordinator, at alhernandez@forchtbank.com.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Current high school senior attending a school in one of the following counties: Kentucky (Knox, Whitley, Laurel, Pulaski, Madison, Fayette, Green, Taylor, Jefferson, Grant, Boone, Kenton); Ohio (Hamilton)

• Citizen of the United States

• Have an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher

• Planning to attend an accredited two-year or four-year college or university in the United States.

University of Texas at Dallas - Eugene McDermiott Scholars Program

     Deadline: December 1, 2022

Award: Full-ride Scholarship

Visit www.utdallas.edu/mcdermott for more details and to apply.

Stephen J. Brady Stop Hunger Scholarship

     Deadline: December 5, 2022

Award: $7,500

The scholarship awardees comprise a wide variety of students, ages 5 to 25, who are recognized at the national level and hail from across the country. A program that recognizes students who are driving awareness and mobilizing youth to be catalysts for innovative models that provide solutions to eliminate hunger in the U.S.

National Scholarship winners receive a $7,500 scholarship and a $5,000 grant for their hunger-related charity. They also receive an all-expenses-paid-trip to be recognized at the Foundation’s annual fundraising event, the Sodexo Charity Classic Presented by PepsiCo, held June 27-29, 2023 in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Apply at http://us.stop-hunger.org/home/grants.html.

Science Ambassador Scholarship

     Deadline: December 13, 2022

Award: $40,000

Film a three–minute educational video of yourself explaining a STEM topic you're passionate about. To apply, you must be a high school senior or an undergraduate college student.  Your video should be:

Easton/National Field Archery Association Scholarship Program

     Deadline:  December 31, 2022

Award: $500-$5,000

• The maximum amount of all scholarships for the first three years will be $50,000 per year. The goal is to provide 50% of the scholarships to recurve archers and 50% to compound archers. A secondary goal will be to split the scholarships equally between men & women.
• Applicants must be a member of the NFAA or the NAA/USA Archery.
• Applicants that are not graduating from high school in the current year (JOAD, NASP, junior high, or high school freshman/sophomore archers) may apply.
  • For this group, any approved scholarships will be held by the Foundation until the student notifies the Foundation they are graduating from high school, and the name of the qualified school they plan to attend.
• High school applicants must be applying to be full time students at a two or four year college/university or a technical training college (these are considered qualified schools).
  • Applicant must maintain a 2.0 GPA minimum on a 4.0 scale in the current year.
• College applicants must be full time students at either a two or four year college or university.
  • Applicant must maintain a 2.5 GPA minimum on a 4.0 scale in the current year.

Apply at https://www.nfaausa.com/scholarships/#1445703240269-b31e67ad-0b9d.

Power of Resilience Scholarship

     Deadline: December 31, 2022

Award: $1,000

To be eligible for The Power of Resilience Scholarship, applicants should be in either high school or college (undergraduate or graduate program) and must show good academic standing with a GPA of at least 3.0. The scholarship recipient will have made clear their interest in the power of personal resilience when in crisis.

To apply for this scholarship, please submit: 

• Tell us which high school or college you currently attend,
• An unofficial academic transcript,
• A 1,000-word essay discussing when you were faced with a serious life challenge and how you overcame that challenge. In your essay, you should explain what you have learned, and especially what others can learn from your experience.

To apply, visit https://scottglovsky.com/power-resilience-scholarship/.

The Diller Teen Awards

     Deadline:  January 5, 2023

Award:  $36,000

The Awards recognize up to fifteen Jewish teens who are outstanding leaders in community service with awards of $36,000 each. We seek teens showing significant initiative and leadership in creating and leading a new initiative – or who have considerably deepened or expanded an existing project — that embodies the values of tikkun olam, repairing the world.

• Aged 13-19
• Currently serving in a leadership role on a project/initiative aimed at repairing the world
• Self-identify as Jewish
• Volunteering without any compensation
• Residents of the United States

Apply at https://www.dillerteenawards.org/apply/

GE Reagan Foundation Scholarship

     Deadline: January 5, 2022

Award: $40,000

About the award:

• Earn a $10,000 renewable scholarship - up to $40,000 total - for tuition, school fees, books, supplies, and on-campus room and board
• Attend an exclusive, all-expenses-paid Scholars Retreat in California
• Receive support throughout their leadership journeys in college and beyond

Become part of a diverse network of more than 200 student leaders attending college, pursuing graduate degrees, and working in careers ranging from medicine, law, education, business, nonprofit, more. Recipients have been awarded $8.2 million to attend more than 100 college campuses across the country. 

Candidates must: 

• Demonstrate the attributes of leadership, integrity, drive, and citizenship within their communities, schools, and workplaces
• Display strong academic performance (minimum 3.0 grade point average/4.0 scale or equivalent)
• Be citizens of the United States of America
• Be current high school seniors attending high school within the United States, (including any U.S. territories or commonwealths), and graduating in winter 2022 or spring 2023. Applicants living on a U.S. Armed Forces base and attending high school outside the U.S. are eligible.
• Plan to enroll in a full‑time undergraduate course of study at an accredited four‑year college or university in the United States for the entire 2023-2024 academic school year.

To apply, visit https://www.reaganfoundation.org/education/scholarship-programs/ge-reagan-foundation-scholarship-program/.

Ron Brown Scholarship Program

     Deadline: January 9, 2023

Award: $40,000

The Ron Brown Scholarship honors the legacy of Ronald H. Brown through a selective scholarship program that advances higher education for community-minded and intellectually gifted African Americans. 

RBSP competitively awards 45 – 50 four-year $40,000 scholarships ($10,000 each year) to the most talented and economically-challenged high school seniors who demonstrate a keen interest in public service, community engagement, business entrepreneurship and global citizenship – the four pillars of the late Ronald H. Brown’s mission to uplift people of all races, cultures and ethnicities – especially our disadvantaged youth.

Recipients may use the renewable scholarships to attend an accredited four-year college or university of their choice within the United States. Ron Brown scholarships are not limited to any specific field or career objective and may be used to pursue any academic discipline. Since the Program’s inception in 1996, more than 450 students have been designated as Ron Brown Scholars.

Applicants for the Ron Brown Scholarship MUST be Black/African American, US citizens or permanent residents, and a current high school senior at the time of their application. 

Apply at https://ronbrown.org/apply/ron-brown-scholarship/

Live Mas Scholarship Program

     Deadline:  January 11, 2023

Award:  Up to $25,000

How to apply:  Submit a video (2 minutes or less in length) that addresses these questions:

• What is your passion and how are you currently pursuing it?
• How do you plan to use your passion to uniquely make a positive change in your community or the world?
• How will your education help enable you to pursue your passion and make a change?

Your submission video must be between 30 seconds and 2 minutes in length. Think about filming this video on a phone, computer, tablet, or any other MP4 video-enabled camera to which you have access. It could be a short film, animation, or a simple testimonial. This isn’t about how well you can make a film—we want to learn more about you, your passion and how you plan to ignite change in your community and beyond!

For more information or to apply, visit https://www.tacobellfoundation.org/live-mas-scholarship/.

American Quarter Horse Association Scholarships

     Deadline: January 15, 2023

Award: $1,000 to $50,000

Submit your application for general, career path or state and regional scholarships. Available funding ranges from $1,000 to $50,000. Complete a single application to determine eligibility for available scholarships.

Visit https://aqhfoundation.smapply.io/prog/aqhf_scholarship_program/ for more information or to apply.

Washington Crossing Foundation Scholarship

     Deadline: January 15, 2023

Award:  $5,000

The Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the annual National Washington Crossing Foundation Scholarship Awards for students completing twelfth grade (or final high school year) in 2023 who are planning careers in government service. Scholarship applicants must be citizens of the United States. The Trustees and Members of the Foundation, mindful of the significance of the important event in our nation’s history that occurred at Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, believe that if our country is to continue to progress, we must have thoroughly trained, dedicated young people to carry on our government’s work in future years.

Each interested student is invited to write a one-page essay stating why he or she plans a career in government service including any inspiration to be derived from the leadership of George Washington in his famous crossing of the Delaware. This essay must be accompanied by a recommendation from the high school principal or guidance counselor evaluating the student’s achievements, along with transcripts, national testing scores, and other supporting information of the applicant’s choice as described in the Official Rules.

We award a variety of scholarships every year. Each scholarship will be paid, as long as the student meets the requirements of the college chosen. Students planning to attend one of the Military Academies or who have been awarded full four-year tuition scholarships will be eligible for an award.

In past years, winners attending will have their expenses paid for transportation, food and housing in Pennsylvania for the weekend, to attend the Scholarship Awards Ceremony. All winners are required to attend the Scholarship Awards Program on Saturday April 22, 2023, to win their scholarship; attendance by Zoom is possible if the winner is unable to attend. Due to COVID-19, Former Alumni Scholars prepared and created a Scholarship Awards Ceremony via Zoom meeting with a video introduction, photographs and a brief biography of the 40 winners for 2021. We will hold the Scholarship Awards Ceremony and Luncheon April 22, 2023, beginning at 11 am at the Washington Crossing Inn, right next to Washington Crossing Historic Park.

We highly recommend all applicants send their applications Priority Mail, if at all possible. Last year a number of applications took many weeks to arrive.

Application details can be found at https://www.gwcf.org/scholarship