40 hot scholarships: here's our roundup of 40 diverse scholarship programs. If you take the time to write the essays and fill out applications, you could lasso some serious college dollars

Careers and Colleges, Nov-Dec, 2002 by Jami Dittus, Zinnia Faruque, Paul Jannace

CORPORATE/MILITARY BUSINESSES REWARD STELLAR STUDENTS.

WAL-MART/WALTON FOUNDATION

SCOOP: Wal-Mart wants to roll back the price of your education. One senior per Wal-Mart community will be awarded $1,000. Stores send applications to local high schools, but private-schooled and home-schooled students are also eligible. If your parent is a full-time Wal-Mart employee, you can apply for the Walton Foundation $6,000 scholarship.

$$$: $1,000; $6,000

WHO: Seniors

DEADLINE: Wal-Mart Community Scholarship, February 1, 2003; Foundation Scholarship, March 1, 2003

INFO: Wal-Mart Foundation, Scholarship Program, 702 SW 8th St., Bentonville, AR 72716-8071; (800) 530-9925; www.walmartfoundation.org

TARGET

SCOOP: If you worked as a teen hot line counselor, walked dogs for the animal shelter, or helped children at the hospital, Target wants to reward your efforts. To qualify, you must write a one-page essay about your volunteer experience and how it affected your life.

$$$: Four $10,000 awards and more than 2,100 $1,000 awards

WHO: Seniors and college students under 24

DEADLINE: Although the November 1 deadline may have passed, keep the date in mind for next year.

INFO: Target All-Around Scholarship, c/o Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America, Inc., 1505 Riverview Rd., P. O. Box 480, St. Peter, MN 56082; (800) 316-6142; www.target.com--click on "community giving"

DISCOVER CARD

SCOOP: Partnering with the American Association of School Administrators, Discover Card recognizes high school juniors with achievements beyond academics. Besides having at least a 2.75 GPA, candidates must also demonstrate leadership, have overcome an obstacle, and perform community service. One recent winner, Swati Deshmukh of East Lyme, Connecticut, organized fund-raisers for victims of Mozambique floods and Venezuelan mud slides.

$$$: Up to nine awards of $2,500; up to nine awards of $25,000

WHO: Juniors

DEADLINE: January 10, 2003

INFO: Discover Card, Tribute Awards Program, P. O. Box 9338, Arlington, VA 22219; www.aasa.org/discover.htm

MARINE CORPS SCHOLARSHIP FOUNDATION

SCOOP: The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation wants you to be part of the few and the proud scholarship winners it awards each year. The organization hands out more than $1.5 million to 846 deserving students. To be eligible, students must be the dependent of a former or current Marine. In addition to providing funds to the children of former Marines who lost their lives September 11, the foundation has also pledged $10,000 toward the college costs of every child of a Marine killed in combat during the war on terrorism.

$$$: Varies

WHO: High school students

DEADLINE: April 2003

INFO: MCSF, P.O. Box 3008, Princeton, NJ 08543; (800) 292-7777; mcsf@marine-scholars.org; www.marine-scholars.org

SPORTS EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT THE STAR QB, YOU CAN GET PAID FOR PLAYING.

EDUCAID

SCOOP: Point and click your way to college dollars. You won't find an easier scholarship to apply for than the "Gimme Five" Scholarship Sweepstakes, offered by Educaid, a First Union Company. The company holds monthly drawings for a $5,000 prize to be awarded to seniors for use during their first year at an accredited college or trade school. Eligible students can enter at www.educaid.com.

$$$: $5,000

WHO: Seniors

DEADLINE: Rolling; One entry per person per month

INFO: www.educaid.com

AMERICAN MORGAN HORSE INSTITUTE

SCOOP: Here's where horsin' around could really pay off. The American Morgan Horse Institute wants to reward students based on their achievement with Morgan horses, as well as ability for serious study, community service, leadership, and financial need. You can write to AMHI for an application or download it from their Web site.

$$$: Five $3,000 awards are given annually.

WHO: High school students

DEADLINE: March 1, 2003

INFO: AMHI Scholarships, P. O. Box 837, Shelburne, VT 05482;

(802) 985-8477;

www.morganhorse.com

WOMEN'S WESTERN GOLF FOUNDATION

SCOOP: Winning this scholarship might feel as good as making a hole in one! The Women's Western Golf Foundation offers scholarships to female high school seniors with high academic achievement, financial need, and, most importantly, an involvement with golf. And if you missed that last putt, don't worry, because golf skill is NOT a criterion.

$$$: $2,000 per year

WHO: Female seniors

DEADLINE: April 5, 2003

INFO: Women's Western Golf Foundation, 393 Ramsay Rd., Deerfield, IL 60015;

www.wwga.org

ESPN SCHOLASTIC SPORTS AMERICAN SCHOLARSHIP

SCOOP: ESPN, the 24-hour sports network is giving away money to students who excel academically and show leadership and service in the community.

Although ESPN is all sports all the time, this scholarship does not require that you be a sports nut. That said, it certainly doesn't hurt to include a list of any athletic activities you've participated in. Applicants also must provide SAT/ACT scores, GPA, class rank, activities, awards, essay, and an official transcript signed by the high school guidance counselor. Interviews may be required for finalists.