New Scholarships
Optimist International Essay Contest
Amount: $2,500 scholarship
Criteria: Applicants must write a 700-800 word essay on the topic “How My Education is the Key to a Successful Future”
Application: Applications are available from Ms. Snapp
Deadline: February 4th (must be received at address on application)
Shell Oil Scholarships
Amount: $2500 scholarships to 40 students nationwide
Criteria: Applicants must be enrolling in engineering or geoscience fields at specific universities including Cornell, Louisiana State University, MIT, Michigan State, NC A&T, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, Rice, Stanford, Texas A&M, University of Colorado, University of Houston, University of Illinois, University of Michigan, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas-Austin, University of Texas-El Paso
Application: Applications are available from Ms. Snapp
Deadline: February 15th (must be received at address on application)
Junior League of Winston-Salem Scholarship
Amount: $500 scholarships awarded to 2 Forsyth County women
Criteria: Applicants must be females who plan to attend a two or four year college and must be actively involved in community service and have made contributions to the community as a volunteer.
Application: Applications are available from Ms. Snapp or at www.jlws.org
Deadline: March 15th (mail to address on application)
Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Pan-Hellenic Council
Amount: $500 scholarship to one Forsyth County senior
Criteria: Applicants must be African-American and have a minimum unweighted 3.0 GPA. Must also demonstrate good citizenship and community involvement.
Application: Applications are available from Ms. Snapp
Deadline: March 18th (mail to address on application)
Matthew C. Graziadei Achievement Award
Amount: $1,000 to one NC senior, $100 to three students
Criteria: Applicants must be students with a disability completing their last year of high school. The scholarship can be used for any post high school learning experience/training.
Application: Applications are available from Ms. Snapp
Deadline: March 21st
Michael Houston Scholarship
Amount: $1500 to one Parkland student
Criteria: Applicants must be a Parkland student and a resident of Forsyth County. Must have at least a 3.0 GPA and plan to attend a 4-year college.
Application: Applications are available from Ms. Snapp
Deadline: April 1st (mail to address on application)
Masjid Al-Mu’Minun Scholarship
Amount: $500 to two local students
Criteria: Applicants must have at least a 2.3 GPA, plan to attend a 4 year college and be in need of financial assistance
Application: Applications are available from Ms. Snapp
Deadline: April 29th
Ida Tilson Scholarship Fund from First Baptist Church
Amount: varies year to year
Criteria: Applicants must have financial need, academic achievement, character, dependability and show religious involvement
Application: Applications are available from Ms. Snapp
Deadline: May 1st (mail to address on application)
Previously Announced Scholarship Opportunities
(organized by type and deadline)
Local Scholarships
Winston-Salem Alumnae Chapter of North Carolina Central University
Amount: varies
Criteria: Applicants must be a resident of Winston-Salem/Forsyth county and have been accepted at NCCU for the fall term. Applicants must have a minimum 2.7 GPA and be involved in extracurricular activities. A personal interview is required. Students of alumni chapter members may be given priority consideration.
Application: Applications are available from Ms. Snapp
Deadline: March 15th
SECU People Helping People Scholarship
Amount: one Parkland student will receive $2500 per year for 4 years
Criteria: Applicants must plan to attend a public 4 year college in NC. They must exemplify the philosophy of “People Helping People” and have demonstrated leadership, character, integrity and community involvement. Must have a minimum 2.5 GPA. Applicants may not be an employee of SECU or family member of an SECU employee.
Application: Applications are available from Ms. Snapp
Deadline: Due to Ms. Snapp no later than March 24th.
Lewisville Civic Club Leadership Award
Amount: 3 scholarships worth $1,500 each
Criteria: Applicants must be involved in clubs or school organizations, must have significant community service experience (especially in the Lewisville community) and at least a 2.5 GPA.
Application: Applications are available from Ms. Snapp or online at http://www.lewisvillecivicclub.org.
Due Date: March 25th
Winston-Salem State University Kuandelea Alumni Chapter Scholarship
Amount: Three $500 scholarships to WS/Forsyth County students
Criteria: Applicants must plan to attend WSSU, have a minimum 3.25 GPA and minimum 950 SAT score or 19 ACT score. Applicants must have received an acceptance letter to WSSU before applying for this scholarship
Application: Applications are available from Ms. Snapp
Deadline: April 15th
Bruce Shelton Scholarship through WS Foundation
Amount: $1,000 renewable for 4 years to one WSFCS student
Criteria: Applicants must display the traits of athletic excellence (excelling in at least one varsity sport), academic achievement (minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0 and ranked in top 75 students), leadership and social responsibility.
Application: Applications are online at www.wsfoundation.org/students. The WS Foundation will begin accepting applications on January 1st.
Deadline: April 15th
Jeff Turner-Forsyth Audubon Scholarship through WS Foundation
Amount: $1,000 for one WSFCS student
Criteria: Must demonstrate an interest in wildlife or environmental issues as shown through involvement in related community and school activities. Must have at least a 3.0 unweighted GPA and be a US citizen.
Application: Applications are online at www.wsfoundation.org/students. The WS Foundation will begin accepting applications on January 1st.
Deadline: April 15th
Elizabeth T. Williams Memorial Scholarship through WS Foundation
Amount: one Forsyth County student will receive four years tuition, fees, room and board to UNC-Chapel Hill
Criteria: Applicants must be a resident of Forsyth County with a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.0. They must demonstrate participation in clubs, community service and athletics as well as good moral character and at least some financial need.
Application: Applications are online at www.wsfoundation.org/students. The WS Foundation will begin accepting applications on January 1st.
Deadline: April 15th
State Scholarships
Florence Kidder Memorial Scholarship
Amount: $3,000 to one NC student winner and $1,000 to one runner-up
Criteria: Applicants must plan to attend college in North Carolina. Recipients will be selected based on character, need, scholastic record, and an essay portion of the application.
Application: Applications are available from Ms. Snapp
Due Date: Due to Ms. Snapp no later than January 31st.
Jagannathan Scholarship
Amount: $3,500 per year
Criteria: Applicants must plan to attend a public college in North Carolina. They must have demonstrated academic achievement, leadership and financial need.
Application: Applications are available at www.cfnc.org/jag
Deadline: Applications must be given to Ms. Snapp by January 28th. Students must also file CSS profile at www.profileonline.collegeboard.com no later than February 9th.
Legal Support Staff of North Carolina
Amount: $750 to local students with potential for $1,000 or $2,000 scholarships as well
Criteria: Applicants must be in need of financial assistance and have at least a 3.0 GPA. Application: Applications are available from Ms. Snapp
Due Date: February 22nd
Whitlow-Osborne Scholarship from NC Assoc of Rescue and Emergency Services
Amount: $1,000 per year for 2 years
Criteria: Must be a high school senior in a limited number of counties (including Forsyth) or a member of an Emergency Services Organization. Applicants must plan to enter into an Emergency Services Curriculum at a community college, technical institute or trade school. Awards are based on academic achievement, financial need and character.
Application: See Ms. Snapp for an application
Deadline: March 31st (mail to address on application)
Prospective Teacher Scholarship Loan
Amount: $2,500 per year for freshmen and sophomores, $4,000 per year for juniors and seniors
Criteria: Applicants have at least a 2.5 unweighted GPA and at least a 900 SAT score (math and reading only). They must plan to enroll in a teacher education program in North Carolina and agree to teach one year in NC for every year they receive this scholarship money.
Application: Applications are available at www.cfnc.org/ptsl
Deadline: April 15th
State Employees Association of NC Scholarship
Amount: varies, 34 scholarships will be given to NC students this year
Criteria: Applicants must have a parent/guardian who is a member of SEANC. Scholarships are based on academic achievements, community involvement, and a written personal statement. Some require the applicant to have financial need.
Application: Applications are available at www.seanc.org under “member benefits”.
Deadline: must be postmarked by April 15th
Millenium Teacher Scholarship Program
Amount: up to 60 students each year receive $6,500 per year
Criteria: Applicants must enroll at Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University or Winston-Salem State University and must plan to teach in NC one year for every year of funding received. Up to 20 students will be awarded this scholarship at each of these 3 universities.
Application: Applications are available online at www.CFNC.org/MTSL
Nurse Scholars Program
Amount: ranges from $2,500 to $5,000 per year
Criteria: Applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA and must plan to enter a nursing program at an NC college. Selection is based on superior academics, leadership potential and desire to practice nursing in North Carolina. Recipients must work one year in NC for every year they receive this scholarship.
Application: Applications are available at www.cfnc.org/nsp
National Scholarships
Phi Delta Kappa Prospective Educator Scholarship
Amount: varies at local and international levels
Criteria: Applicants must plan to pursue a career in Education.
Application: Applications are available from Ms. Snapp or may be downloaded at www.pdkintl.org/chapters/forms.htm.
Due Date: February 1st
KFC Colonel’s Scholarship
Amount: up to $20,000
Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum 2.75 GPA, plan to enroll in a public college in North Carolina, be a US Citizen or permanent resident and demonstrate financial need.
Application: Applications are available online at www.kfcscholars.org beginning December 1st.
Due Date: February 9th
Allegacy Federal Credit Union Scholarships
Amount: 4 $1300 scholarships to a 4 year school and 4 $250 scholarships to a 2 year school
Criteria: Applicants must be a member (or become a member) of Allegacy Federal Credit Union. Applicants will be judged on academic performance, extracurricular and community activities, references and an essay question.
Application: Visit http://www.allegacyfcu.org/studentsholarships.html for more information
FAFSA Day
You can also receive help completing your FAFSA on February 19th at Winston-Salem State University or Forsyth Technical Community College. You can register for this event online at www.cfnc.org.
In addition, Parkland will host our own FAFSA day on February 26th. Tom Benza from Wake Forest will be at Parkland to help students and parents complete their FAFSA on February 26th. Bring your most recent tax information with you.
Everyone is encouraged to attend one of these sessions if you have questions about the FAFSA. More information about completing your FAFSA can be found at the end of this email.
FAFSA Information
It’s almost time to start filling out your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)! Everyone planning to attend a two-year or four-year college next year should complete the FAFSA. Here are some things to remember:
· Where to find the FAFSA: Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to complete your FAFSA beginning January 1st. Do not use any other website to complete your FAFSA and do not pay anyone or any website to help you with the FAFSA.
· Create a PIN number: Each student and one parent/guardian needs to create their own PIN. Before beginning the FAFSA each student and one parent must have a PIN so you can electronically sign your FAFSA. If your parent is in college or has another child in college they can use the PIN number they used on their previous FAFSA. Go to www.pin.ed.gov to create your PIN.
· When to complete the FAFSA: You want to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st. Government financial aid is limited and some aid may not be available if you wait too late to file the FAFSA. However, in order for your FAFSA to be accurate, you should complete your taxes first. You need to have your 2010 tax information ready when you sit down to work on the FAFSA.
· What do you need to complete the FAFSA: A list of documents needed can be found at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/before003.htm .
· If you need help with your FAFSA: Assistance will be available at Forsyth Tech and Winston-Salem State on February 19th. We will also have help available at Parkland on February 26th. On both of these dates students and parents can bring the necessary documents and someone will help you complete the FAFSA online.
· After you file your FAFSA: The FAFSA determines your EFC (Expected Family Contribution). This means that the FAFSA tells colleges how much your family can afford to pay towards college. This information then gets sent to each college you indicate on the FAFSA and the colleges will send you a financial aid package based on your SAR (Student Aid Report).
· The Financial Aid Package: The Financial Aid Package you receive from each college will tell you how much financial aid you will receive to attend that particular college. Your financial aid package will most likely include:
1. Scholarships and grants (neither of which has to be repayed). These can come from the college, the state government or the federal government. Scholarships students receive from businesses or community organizations will need to be reported to the financial aid office at your college as well.
2. Work Study, which means you will be given a job on campus to earn some money for college.
3. Loans which do have to be repayed upon graduation. Your loans may be divided into subsidized and unsubsidized loans. With subsidized loans, the government pays the interest on the loans while you are in college, meaning that when you graduate you will owe exactly what you borrowed (and interest will start adding up at that time). With unsubsidized loans, the interest begins adding up while you are still in college, meaning that your debt will be growing while you are still in college.
Remember that college is expensive and VERY few students will go to college without taking out any loans. This is when it becomes important to carefully compare financial aid packages as well as the opportunities available at each college. The school that comes out cheapest may not always be the right place for you. When looking at financial aid packages, you want to try and minimize your debt without compromising all of the other qualities you’re looking for in a college!
For more information on the FAFSA and Financial Aid you can visit www.studentaid.ed.gov/pubs where you can find several publications about funding your education.