Updated 2/05/16
Scholarships 2015-16
This list will be updated upon receipt of new information.
FINANCIAL AID DATES/DEADLINES
(For students planning to attend college during the 2016-17 school year)
November 1, 2015 – The PROMISE Scholarship application will be available online at www.cfwv.com.
January 1, 2016 – The 2016-17 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) will be available at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
February 21, 2016 – “College Goal Sunday” financial aid workshops will be held to help with FAFSA. Visit www.cfwv.com for info.
March 1, 2016 – Deadline to apply for:
- The PROMISE Scholarship (FAFSA and PROMISE applications both required by this date)
- The WV Science, Engineering & Technology Scholarship (application posted Dec. 1st)
- The Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship (application posted Dec. 1st)
April 15, 2016 – Deadline for a student’s FAFSA to be received in order to be considered for the WV Higher Education Grant Program
* Remember to file the FAFSA by MARCH 1, 2016.
FREE scholarship search sites:
College Foundation of WV (www.cfwv.com) – CFWV has a database of thousands of scholarships and financial aid programs from organizations across the nation. Several opportunities are posted each week on Facebook and Twitter for high school and college students.
Fastweb – www.fastweb.com, Scholarship Experts – www.scholarshipexperts.com, StudentEdge – www.studentedge.com, Student Scholarships –www.studentscholarships.org
The following scholarships are organized by deadline.
Scholarship Name / Amount / Criteria / Deadline / How to Apply/Add’l InfoVFW’s
Voice of Democracy audio-essay competition / $1,000-$16,000; 1st place winner from each state receives an all-expense paid trip to Washington, D.C.; National first-place winner receives a $30,000 scholarship.
$50, $75, and $100 prizes for winners at the post level. / Open to students in grades 9-12 who are enrolled in a public, private or parochial high school or home study program in the U.S. and its territories / November 1, 2015
(However, applications may be accepted until November 15th.) / Apply online at www.vfw.org/VOD or see the Guidance Office for an entry form.
Theme: My Vision For America
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship Program
(Advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need) / Up to $40,000 per year to attend a 4-year accredited undergraduate school / Minimum Criteria:
- Plan to graduate from a U.S. high school in Spring 2016
- Intend to enroll in an accredited 4-year college beginning Fall 2016
- Earn a cumulative un-weighted GPA of 3.5 or above
- SAT combined CR and math score of 1200 or above and/or ACT composite of 26 or above
- Demonstrate significant unmet financial need. Applicants with family income up to $95,000 will be considered. / Application is open until November 3, 2015 / Apply online: http://www.jkcf.org/scholarship-programs
Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholars are selected based on exceptional academic ability and achievement, financial need, persistence, desire to help others, and leadership. Each year, 30-40 students will be selected into the program.
Prudential Spirit of Community Award / $1,000-$5,000
*See side note. / Eligibility:
- in grades 5-12 as of Nov. 3
- a legal resident of any U.S. state or Washington, D.C.,
- engaged in a volunteer activity that occurred at least partly during the 12 months prior to the date of application, and
- submit a completed application to a school principal or the head of an officially designated local organization by November 3 / Tuesday, November 3, 2015 / For information and to apply online: www.nassp.org/spirit or spirit.prudential.com
* State Honorees receive an award of $1,000, an engraved silver medallion, and an all-expense-paid trip with a parent or guardian to Washington, D.C., for national recognition events.
National Honorees receive an additional award of $5,000, an engraved gold medallion, a crystal trophy for their schools or organizations, and a $5,000 grant from The Prudential Foundation for a non-profit, charitable organization of their choice.
WV High School Business Plan Competition / $10,000 / - High school juniors and seniors / November 13, 2015 at noon / Apply online: wvde.state.wv.us/hsbpc
Applicants must write a 3 page maximum executive summary of their business concept.
The open competition will be reduced to ten finalists who will compete for the $10,000 scholarship. Numerous institutions have committed scholarships for the winning student(s) to attend their institutions.
West Virginia
Alpha Delta Kappa Maryida Mosby Travel Scholarship / $1,000 for educational travel / - This scholarship is awarded to a 10th or 11th grade student in an accredited WV high school for educational travel only, either in the United States or a foreign country. / December 11, 2015 / Applications are available in the Guidance Office. Letters of recommendation are required.
Burger King Scholars Program / Range from $1,000 to $50,000 / - High school seniors living in the US, Canada or Puerto Rico;
- 2.5 cumulative GPA
- Plan to enroll full-time, without interruption, for the entire 2016-17 academic year at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school in the U.S., Canada or Puerto Rico
** Separate requirements for Employee-Based track – See website / Dec. 15, 2015 / Apply online at:
www.bkmclamorefoundation.org/WhatWeDo/ScholarsProgram.
Scholarships are intended for high school seniors, Burger King employees, their dependent children, spouses or domestic partners to help students offset the cost of attending college or post-secondary vocational/technical school. Recipients are selected based on their grade point average (GPA), work experience, extracurricular activities and community service.
NFIB
Young Entrepreneur Award / 100 scholarships are awarded to Young Entrepreneurs ranging from $2,000-$25,000. / Graduating high school seniors who operate their own small business are eligible. See website for more information. / December 18, 2015 / Apply online at www.NFIB.com/YEA.
WV PTA Scholarship / $500/each
Seven scholarships were awarded to seniors in the Class of 2015. The final number to be awarded in 2016 will be determined by the funds generated this year. / - High school senior in a WV school with a 2.0 GPA
- Must be used for tuition/educational expenses in a vocational school, college, or other institution of higher learning approved by the Scholarship Committee. / Must be received by the Scholarship Selection Committee by December 31, 2015. / Applications are available in the Guidance Office OR at: www.westvirginiapta.org/scholarship.
GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship Program / Twenty
$10,000 renewable scholarships awarded (up to $40,000 per recipient) / - This national program awards college scholarships to high school seniors who embody the characteristics of President Ronald Reagan at school, in the community, in the workplace, and at home.
- Awarded to students who demonstrate exemplary leadership, drive, integrity, and citizenship / January 7, 2016 / Apply online through www.reaganfoundation.org/scholarships or http://facebook.com/GEReaganScholarships
Mensa Education and Research Foundation
Local Scholarship Program / Awards range from $200 to $1,000 / Open to applicants who:
- will be enrolled next academic year in a degree program in an accredited U.S. college or university, and who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States.
Applicants need not be a member of Mensa nor qualified for Mensa. / Must be submitted online by January 15, 2016. / More information and the online application can be found at:
http://www.mensafoundation.org/scholarships/.
These scholarships are awarded solely on the merits of the essay written by the applicant in no more than 550 words. The essay is to describe the applicant’s career, vocational, or academic goals.
Essays will be judged and scholarships awarded at three levels: local, regional, and national.
Kids’ Chance of WV Scholarships / Minimum of $1,000 to be used for tuition, room and board, books or other expenses; may be considered for renewal up to five years / - Available to WV students between the ages of 15-23 whose parent/legal guardian was seriously, catastrophically or fatally injured in a documented, work-related accident.
- May be used to pursue a degree, diploma or certificate from an accredited vocational /trade school, college or university in any field of study / January 15, 2016 / Apply online: www.tgkvf.org/scholar.htm
Recipients are selected based upon their academic performance, evaluation of need for financial assistance, personal leadership, and demonstrated and potential contributions to their schools and communities.
Esther J. Hinchman Scholarship / $500 / - College bound students enrolled in Environmental Studies (Horticulture, Landscape Design, Forestry, Botany, Conservation, Land Management, Environmental Concerns, Geology, or related subjects) / Complete application must be received in mail by WVGC Scholarship Chm. by February 1st. / Applications and additional information are available in the Guidance Office.
Students must be sponsored by a Garden Club.
Mark Flint Memorial Scholarship
for the Advancement of Music
* NEW * / $5,000 / - This scholarship is for a student who has completed high school requirements and who is majoring in applied music or music education. / All application materials are due to the Guidance Office:
March 1, 2016 / Applications may be found on the Clark Opportunity Foundation Facebook page.
Engineering, Science Technology Scholarship Program / Not to exceed $3,000 per academic year / Applicant must:
- Be a United States Citizen or resident alien.
- Have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale upon graduating from high school, or have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale after completion of two semesters of course work at an eligible institution of higher education.
- Be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an engineering, science, or technology program leading to a certificate or an associate or bachelor’s degree at an eligible institution of higher education.
- Agree to work full-time in an engineering, science or technology field in WV for 1 year for each year the scholarship was received or begin an approved program of community service related to engineering, science or technology.
- Be willing to repay the scholarship received plus interest and any required collection fees if he/she fails to fulfill the work requirement. / March 1, 2016 / Application will be posted by
December 1, 2015 at www.cfwv.com.
This financial aid program is designed to enable and encourage academically talented individuals to pursue careers in the fields of engineering, science and technology. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic qualifications and interest in the engineering, science and technology fields. Priority is given to West Virginia residents.
.
West Virginia PROMISE Scholarship / Up to $4,750 annually for tuition and fees at eligible institutions in WV / * Must graduate with a min. 3.0 core AND cumulative GPA
* Min. test score requirements:
ACT – 22 composite with min. of 20 in English, Math, Science, Reading
OR
SAT – 1020 combined score with min. 490 in critical reading and 480 in mathematics
*Detailed information on residency and eligibility requirements is available on www.cfwv.com/promise.
. / *March 1, 2016*
PROMISE application AND FAFSA must be submitted by this date. / November 1, 2015 - The PROMISE Scholarship application will be open at www.cfwv.com/promise.
January 1, 2016 - The 2016-17 FAFSA will be available at www.fafsa.gov.
March 1, 2016 – PROMISE application and FAFSA Filing Deadline
June 4, 2016 – Last date to take the SAT to establish eligibility
June 11, 2016 – Last date to take the ACT to establish eligibility
NOTE: Students may use their Spring semester grades of their senior year to achieve eligibility, but must apply by March 1st.
Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Program / Not to exceed $5,000 per academic year / * WV resident enrolled or will be enrolled full-time in accredited institution of higher education in WV pursuing a course of study leading to teacher certificate in WV.
* Must agree to teach at the public pre-school, elementary, middle or secondary school level in WV for two years for each year of scholarship assistance. However, if a scholar enters teacher shortage area, an exceptional children’s program, school having less than average academic results or school in an economically disadvantaged area as designated by WVBE, then the scholar must teach 1 year for each year for which the scholarship was received.
Students who fail to meet teaching or alternative service requirements are required to repay the scholarship received plus interest and any required collection fees. / March 1, 2016 / * Application will be posted by December 1, 2015 at www.cfwv.com.
Underwood-Smith Teacher Scholarship Program is designed to enable and encourage students to pursue teaching careers at the pre-school, elementary, middle or secondary school level.
Undergraduate and graduate scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic qualifications and interest in teaching. The purpose of the program is to assist West Virginians interested in obtaining a teaching certificate and committed to the pursuit of a teaching career in West Virginia's public schools.
*** Due to limited funding, priority is given to junior, senior, and graduate students.
Mission West Virginia Scholarship Program / At least five $2,000 Scholarships / - Must be in senior year of high school or older.
- Must have experienced a foster care placement for 12 months, OR had a parent incarcerated for 12 months during childhood.
- Recipient may utilize the funds for any post-secondary education or training program, including two or four-year degree programs, vocational training or certificate program. / March 15, 2016 / Mail, Fax, or Email completed applications to:
MWV Scholarship Program
168 Midland Trail, Suite 1
Hurricane, WV 25526
Fax: 304-562-0726
Phone: 866-CALL-MWV
Visit www.missionwv.org for more information.
Honors Graduation Scholarships / Five $1,000 Scholarships / This is a multi-media scholarship contest where students can submit projects in art, photography, videography, music, and creative writing. / March 20, 2016 / To apply, visit:
honorsgraduation.com/scholarship
2016 Little General Store, Inc. Scholarship Program / At least ten $1,000 Scholarships / - May attend in-state or out-of-state colleges or universities of your choice
- Must be high school seniors graduating this spring and planning to attend college this fall. The award checks will be made payable jointly to the student and the college you will be attending and must be endorsed by both parties. The scholarship will be based on a combination of academic achievement and need. Students will be asked to answer a few questions regarding past accomplishments and future aspirations. / Must be postmarked no later than Friday, March 25th / * Applications are available in the Guidance Office. *