TGIF! Before you shut off your computer and go enjoy your weekend, I’ve got some scholarship announcements for you. There are tons of great scholarships out there with deadlines approaching. So, if you are serious about earning free money for college, now is the time!
Today I have three wonderful opportunities: The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Scholarship for refugees and asylum seekers now living in the United States; Sodexo’s STOP HUNGER scholarship for community activists; and US Bank’s Internet Scholarship Program.
Unlike the first two scholarships, the US Bank scholarship does not require an essay or a formal recommendation. In fact, the online application shouldn’t take you more than a few minutes to complete. The only hitch is that you must be a high school senior to apply. Thirty winning students each receive a $1,000 scholarship for their troubles. With a possible return on your investment like that, there is no excuse not to go for it!
Good luck to you! If you need some pointers on filling out your scholarship applications or writing a scholarship essay, be sure to check out the Financial Aid Finder’s scholarships section.
1. Hebrew Immigrant Aid Scholarship: Amount Varies
The Hebrew Immigrant Aid Scholarship provides college scholarship for HIA-assisted refugees and asylum-seekers now living in the United States. Eligible applicants must have immigrated to the U.S. after January 1, 1992 and have at least two full semesters worth of official transcripts from a U.S. high school, college, graduate, or technical school. Your current semester of enrollment does not count. Applicants must be planning to pursue a four-year or two-year college degree and be enrolled for the fall semester. Recipients will be selected on the basis of their academic excellence, financial need, and involvement in Jewish communal life. Only online applications will be accepted (download a copy here.) The application deadline is mid-February.
2. Sodexo Foundation STOP Hunger Scholarships: $5,000
The Sodexo Foundation’s $5,000 STOP Hunger Scholarships recognize students active in the fight against hunger in America. Awards honor students have made a significant impact through community activism to bring about an end to hunger and its root causes. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited educational institution in the United States, from elementary school through graduate school, and must have demonstrated an on-going commitment to community service and volunteerism for at least the last 12 months. In addition to completing an online application, applicants must also submit a Community Service Recommendation. The application deadline is late-February. Recommendations must be submitted no later than the beginning of March.
3. U.S. Bank Internet Scholarship Program: $1,000
For twelve years, U.S. Bank has been awarding college scholarships; this spring, the Bank will select thirty high school seniors to receive a $1,000 scholarship to apply toward their cost of attending college in the fall. Applicants must apply online and winners will be chosen at random. To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien and a high school senior planning to enroll full-time in an accredited two- or four-year college or university. The application deadline is late-February. Winners will be notified by mail by the end of April and checks will be cut in August.
