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

$$$: $2,000 each year for up to four years. Second and third place awards of $1,000 each may be given as funds are available.

WHO: Seniors

DEADLINE: February 1, 2003

INFO: Office of Committees, NSDAR, Scholarships, 1776 D St. NW, Washington, DC 20006;

www.dar.org/natsociety/edout_scholar.html

AMERICAN HEALTH AND BEAUTY AIDS INSTITUTE

SCOOP: If you are thinking about majoring in chemistry, business, or engineering, the American Health And Beauty Aids Institute is offering some truly "beautiful" scholarship awards. The scholarship, named in honor of Fred Luster, Sr., the founder of a beauty supply company, requires that applicants have at least a 3.0 GPA and two letters of recommendation.

$$$: $250; $500

WHO: Seniors

DEADLINE: March 1, 2003

INFO: AHBAI, 401 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611;

(312) 644-6610;

ahbai@sba.coin;

www.ahbai.org

CAREER INTEREST MINORITY STUDENTS WITH SET CAREER PLANS CAN GET A FINANCIAL UP.

AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY

SCOOP: If you're an African-American, Hispanic/Latino, or American Indian student planning to major in chemistry or a related science, you can benefit from awards sponsored by the American Chemical Society. Candidates must demonstrate financial need and have a "B" average or better. Selection is based on academics, leadership, participation in school and community activities, and level of interest in chemistry as a career. Students may be enrolled in either two-year or four-year degree programs.

$$$: Up to $3,000

WHO: Minority seniors and college students

DEADLINE: February 15, 2003

INFO: American Chemical Society (Minority Scholars Program), 1155 Sixteenth St., NW, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 872-6250 or (800) 227-5558 (Ext. 6250); scholars@acs.org; www.acs.org/minorityaffairs.html

NATIONAL ACTION COUNCIL FOR MINORITIES IN ENGINEERING

SCOOP: The National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering (NACME) wants to nurture American Indian, African American, and Hispanic/Latino students who aspire to be engineers. Applicants should have a GPA of 3.0 or better and be planning for full-time enrollment in a participating college (see list on Web site). Also, check out the Web site for great info to help aspiring engineers.

$$$: Up to $10,000

WHO: Minority seniors and college students

DEADLINE: Varies

INFO: NACME, Inc., Scholarships Programs, Empire State Bldg., 350 Fifth Ave., Suite 2212, New York, NY 10118; (212) 279-2626; scholarships@nacme.org; www.nacme.org

AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS/AMERICAN ARCHITECTURAL FOUNDATION

SCOOP: The American Institute of Architects/American Architectural Foundation wants to buttress your career if you are a disadvantaged and/or minority student planning to study architecture. Eligible nominees must submit application, essay, statement of disadvantaged circumstances, recommendations, transcript, and a drawing related to architecture.

$$$: $500 to $2,600

WHO: Disadvantaged and/or minority seniors and college freshmen

DEADLINE: December 2002 (nomination); January 15, 2003 (application)

INFO: AIA/AAF Scholarships, 1735 New York Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20006; (202) 626-7318; www.archfoundation.org