40 hot scholarships

Careers and Colleges, Nov-Dec, 2003 by Don Rauf, Traci Mosser

SCHOLARSHIPS ARE ONE OF THE BEST TYPES OF COLLEGE AID BECAUSE THEY'RE FREE MONEY--YOU DON'T PAY THEM BACK, THE TRICK IS FINDING ONES THAT MATCH YOUR QUALIFICATIONS AND THEN GETTING ORGANIZED AND PUTTING IN THE TIME TO WRITE THE ESSAYS AND FILL OUT THE APPLICATIONS. HERE ARE 40 DIVERSE SCHOLARSHIPS YOU SHOULD CHECK OUT AND SOME TIPS TO HELP YOU WIN SOME SERIOUS COLLEGE FUNDING. ALSO BE SURE TO CHECK OUR FREE SCHOLARSHIP SERVICE AT CAREERSANDCOLLEGES.COM.

AMERICAN WELDING SOCIETY SCHOLARSHIPS

SCOOP: The American Welding Society Foundation offers numerous scholarships for students interested in pursuing a career in welding, including the Jerry Robinson-Inweld Corporation Scholarship. Applicants must plan to enroll in a welding program at an accredited university and be at least 18 years old as of October 1 of the year the scholarship is awarded. Besides having at least a 2.5 GPA, applicants must write an essay explaining why the funds are needed, how the scholarship would change his or her life, and how it would allow him or her to further the joining sciences.

$$$: $2,500 (renewable)

WHO: Seniors

DEADLINE: January 15, 2004

INFO: www.aws.org/foundation/opportunities.html

THE AID ASSOCIATION FOR LUTHERANS

SCOOP: Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, which sponsors this program, will discontinue this scholarship program after this year, so take advantage of it now. In this final year of the program, scholarships will be awarded to high school graduates attending two-year and four-year public and private colleges and vocational schools. Applicants have to be a Thrivent Financial benefit member. Winners are selected based on academic achievement, leadership, volunteerism, activities, and work experience.

$$$: Amounts vary.

WHO: High school seniors graduating in 2004

DEADLINE: January 31, 2004

INFO: Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, 4321 N. Ballard Road, Appleton, WI 54919-0001; (800) THRIVENT; www.thrivent.com/ fraternal/scholarships.

AXA ACHIEVEMENT SCHOLARSHIPS

SCOOP: In association with U.S. News & World Report, the AXA Achievement Scholarship gives $10,000 to one student in each state who is making a difference in the community or the world in general. AXA Achievers accomplish conventional feats in unconventional ways: For example, they manage to maintain perfect attendance at school while working to help their family financially. Last year's winners included an avid Appalachian fiddle player, a young woman who helped remodel a local hospital, and a young man who started a youth center. Also check out the AXA Achievement Community Scholarship on the Web site.

$$$: 52 scholarships of $10,000 and 10 additional awards of $15,000.

WHO: Young people who are making a difference

DEADLINE: December 15, 2003

INFO: AXA Foundation, 1290 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10104; (888) AXA-4492; www.axaonline.com.

AMERICAN DIETETIC ASSOCIATION SCHOLARSHIPS

SCOOP: The American Dietetic Association offers a variety of scholarships and educational stipends to individuals pursuing undergraduate and/or advanced degrees in the field of dietetics or food and nutrition. For 2003-2004 students, 144 scholarships were awarded. You have to join the ADA to qualify.

$$$: From $500 to $4,500

WHO: Undergraduates (usually juniors and seniors)

DEADLINE: Mid-February 2004

INFO: American Dietetic Association Foundation, Education Team, 120 South Riverside Plaza, Suite 2000, Chicago, IL 60606; (800) 877-1600, ext. 5400; www.eatright.org.

AICPA SCHOLARSHIPS FOR MINORITY ACCOUNTING STUDENTS

SCOOP: The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants provides awards of up to $5,000 for outstanding minority students to encourage their selection of accounting as a major and their ultimate entry into the profession. Undergraduates can qualify if they are a declared accounting major. Awards are given according to need and academic achievement.

$$$: Up to $5,000

WHO: African-American students

DEADLINE: June 1, 2004

INFO: AICPA, 1121 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10036; (888) 777-7077; www.aicpa.org.

BARRY M. GOLDWATER SCHOLARSHIP

SCOOP: This scholarship is for college juniors and seniors, so keep it on file for later. Established in 1986, this program assists students pursuing studies in science and mathematics. It was established in an effort to help alleviate the shortage of future scientists, mathematicians, and engineers. Students must be nominated by their school; nomination materials are online. About 300 awards are presented each year.

$$$: Up to $7,500

WHO: College juniors and seniors who have outstanding potential and intend to pursue careers in mathematics, natural sciences, or engineering.

DEADLINE: February 2, 2004

INFO: Barry Goldwater Scholarship and Excellence in Education Foundation, 6225 Brandon Avenue, Suite 315, Springfield, VA 22150-25129; (703) 756-6012; www.act.org/goldwater.> BRAINSTORM USA

SCOOP: Brainstorm USA, a marketer of educational products and services, sponsors this contest, which requires each child to describe his or her dream and how a parent, teacher, advisor, sibling, grandparent, or friend has been helpful to them. Then parents have to write how they helped make the child's dream come true. Entrants must achieve a 2.75 minimum GPA in high school.