Scholarships Are Closer Than You Think!
Your dentist office, local bank, or childhood doctor may have a fund set aside for actively seeking high school students like you. You might be surprised at the organizations in your city who want to help you get to college!
Where to look: Instead of immediately hopping on the internet and searching countless websites for national scholarship applications, look in your area first. Your dentist’s office, local bank, or childhood doctor may have a fund set aside for actively seeking high school students like you. You might be surprised by the organizations in your city that want to help you get to college!
Smaller applicant pools: By looking at local organizations, you raise your chances of being selected due to a smaller applicant pool. National organizations may give over 10,000 scholarships a year but think of the number of applicants being selected from. At smaller organizations, they may only offer 5 scholarships a year, but with the applicant pool only reaching those in your area, your chances increase significantly.
Organizations to consider: Not all local organizations offer school funding and may differ depending on your area, but you would be surprised at the amount that do. Ask around at Credit Unions, churches, foundations, hospitals, law firms, local businesses, etc. Most of these places will have a scholarship program of some sort, even if they aren’t broadcasted. Seeking out the scholarships at these places or asking around with local businesses can never hurt.
Example of Organizational Scholarships:
American Red Cross – Leaders Save Lives Scholarship Program Based in Huntsville, AL
Coordinate a summer blood drive through the Leaders Save Lives program and join the impressive group of youths across the nation who are helping save lives with the American Red Cross. You could be entered to win a college scholarship. Sign up to host a blood drive while school is out of session during one of the program time frames. Form a recruitment committee to help make your blood drive a success. Recruit your friends, family and the community to donate at your blood drive.
- BONUS: You can use this experience for other scholarships and your resumé.
- Amount: Up to $2,500
- Number Awarded: Four drawings for $1,000; One drawing for $1,500; One drawing for $2,500
- Deadline: August 31, 2020
Linly Heflin Scholarship
The Linly Heflin Unit grants scholarships for up to four years in the amount of $7,000 per year to a limited number of applicants who have both economic needs and proven academic records. Scholarships are restricted to Alabama women who are United States citizens attending four-year Alabama colleges or universities.
- Amount: $7,000 per year (Up to $28,000)
- Number Awarded: Varies; approximately 20-25 new recipients each year
- Eligible to: High school seniors and college students
- Requirements: Female, residency in Alabama, plans to pursue a four-year degree, financial need, minimum GPA of 2.5, minimum ACT of 23
- Deadline: This application form with supporting documentation must be completed by December 31, 2019.
CollegeCounts Scholarship – The Treasury Department of Alabama
The State Treasurer Office offers the CollegeCounts Scholarship to Alabama high school or homeschooled graduates who are enrolling as first-time college freshmen. Each year, the renewable fund provides $2,000 for a two-year college and $4,000 for four-year university enrollees. Applications received before the March 1st deadline are judged based on financial need, high school academics, test scores, service projects, and extra-curricular activities.
- Amount: $2,000 (2-year college) | $4,000 (4-year university)
- Number Awarded: Varies; 337 were awarded this fall
- Eligible to: High School/Homeschool Graduates
- Requirements: U.S. citizenship, Alabama residency, registered at an accredited in-state, nonprofit college, maintain a minimum high school GPA of 2.75, and submit an ACT score of 26 or below
- Deadline: March 1st, 2020.
