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NC A&T Atlanta Alumni Scholarship
March 2, 2022represents the Atlanta Alumni Chapter’s pledge and commitment to assist the University in attracting and recruiting quality students found in metro Atlanta and surrounding areas of Georgia. The alumni are convinced that high academic achievers from Georgia are needed on the campus to serve as role models for all students matriculating at the University. Level of Award: Depending upon the applications received, a minimum of two awards will be presented to the deserving students who meet the eligibility criteria. This scholarship can include books.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to university changes in the award payment process of scholarship recipients, funds will not be dispersed until FALL semester.
Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible, a candidate must:
- Be a high school student from the metro Atlanta area or surrounding areas of Georgia.
- Have been accepted for admission to North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and be committed to attending, entering as a freshman in the Fall You must include a copy of your acceptance letter from the university in your application packet and your banner ID.
- Have accumulated a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale.
- Include two recommendation letters: one school official (teacher, counselor, or administrator) and one non-school official (mentor, coach, minister, or employer).
Options for submitting recommendation letters: –Teacher/educator can submit PDF letter that has school or district logo. Teacher/educator can write/submit recommendation letter via email.Non-educators (employer, coach, mentor, etc.) can submit either PDF or email.
Newsletter: March 1, 2022
March 1, 2022
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The Undebatable Relatables is a student-developed podcast. The brainchild of Pinellas County Schools’ ninth grader, Jocelyn L. (who also developed the artwork), the podcast is a collaborative effort of Pinellas County Schools’ ninth graders, Jocelyne, Anna, and Josiah (JoJo). The podcast provides informative content by 3 exceptional students, all of whom serve on our youth leadership board.
Monthly Cohort Meeting: The second Saturday of each month.
Newsletter: February 1, 2022
February 1, 2022
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In February, 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson and other educators and historians committed to celebrating the achievements of African Americans (which was largely unwritten in American textbooks) through the creation of Negro History Week. By the late 1960s, as black college students expanded their knowledge of the links between Africa, America, and the African Diaspora, Negro History Week became Negro History Month and eventually, Black History Month. Despite much of this cultural revolution occurring in my hometown of Chicago, as a student in Chicago Public Schools, my textbooks were largely void of African achievements pre-slavery or African-American achievements during and post-slavery. 
Now, some 24 years after the publication of The Eagles who Thought They were Chickens (one of my 
While our curriculum has always been culturally diverse through the examples of students from diverse backgrounds who have been offered admission to selective colleges and competitive scholarships, we have further updated our curriculum to ensure that it is as inspiring as it is informative. Our February Module is filled with students attending the type of institutions profiled (i.e., liberal arts college, research universities, honors programs, etc.). Damian, a student from our Florence School District 3 Cohort, is one of the students profiled. Damian joined our program as a rising high school sophomore at Lake City High School in Lake City, South Carolina. Damian, from a family of 10, is the first in his family to attend college immediately after graduating from high school. He was intentional in how he approached the cohort work and clear-eyed in his affirming, “Mr. Wynn, I will go to college anywhere that I can receive a full scholarship so that I am not a burden on my mother.”Undebatable Relatables: Episode 2
February 1, 2022The Undebatable Relatables
The Undebatable Relatables is a student-developed podcast. The brainchild of Pinellas County Schools’ ninth grader, Jocelyn L. (who also developed the artwork). The podcast is a collaborative effort of Pinellas County Schools’ ninth graders, Jocelyne, Anna, and Josiah (JoJo) that provides informative content by 3 exceptional students, all of whom serve on our youth leadership board.
Episode 2: Relationships Romantic? Nah… Friendships!: In episode 2, Jocelyne, Anna, and JoJo share their thoughts regarding the importance of friendships and social relationships. They provide tips and strategies for avoiding conflicts and developing healthy relationships. They share their thoughts regarding the forced COVID-19 quarantine and its impact on relationships and the essential nature of supportive human contact. They also share their experiences in making their first friends in high school.
Scholarships for HBCU Students
January 31, 2022
For students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), scholarships, internships, and fellowships can make higher education more affordable. HBCU scholarships and grants can supplement federal financial aid to help students fund their degrees and, ultimately, launch their careers.
While the majority of college students need financial aid to afford college, HBCU scholarships recognize the merit and potential of Black students with unique financial considerations. Read on to learn more about scholarships for HBCU students and related resources.
For helpful resources posted by BestColleges click here…
Newsletter: January 1, 2022
January 1, 2022
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We are pleased to announce an exceptional group of students who will serve on our 2021-22 College Planning Cohort Youth Leadership Board. Jocelyne (President); Josiah (Vice President); and Anna (Social Media Manager) are all 9th grade students in our Pinellas County Schools Cohort. TaRetta (Communications Secretary) is a high school senior in our Atlanta-area Cohort and Omar (Social Media Manager) is a high school junior in our Atlanta-area Cohort. Jayla (Media Coordinator) is a high school junior in our Florence School District 3 Cohort. Each student brings unique gifts, talents, and leadership skills to our leadership board.
While our curriculum has always been culturally diverse through the examples of students from diverse backgrounds who have been offered admission to selective colleges and competitive scholarships, we have further updated our curriculum to ensure that it is as inspirational as it is informational. The first unit in each monthly module profiles a student who has come through our program. In January, we profile Tyra, who was introduced to our program as a middle school student accompanying her older sister to our monthly meetings. Tyra joined our program as a 9th grader, and together with her family, made the hour-long drive from Suwanee, Georgia to attend our monthly meetings at the Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, Georgia. A 2021 graduate of Collins Hill High School in Suwanee, Georgia, Tyra is now attending Georgia Tech on a full scholarship as a 
We congratulate cohort students who received notification of offers to highly competitive colleges and programs:
Undebatable Relatables: Episode 1
January 1, 2022The Undebatable Relatables
The Undebatable Relatables is a student-developed podcast. The brainchild of Pinellas County Schools’ ninth grader, Jocelyn L. (who also developed the artwork). The podcast is a collaborative effort of Pinellas County Schools’ ninth graders, Jocelyne, Anna, and Josiah (JoJo) that provides informative content by 3 exceptional students, all of whom serve on our youth leadership board.
Episode 1: Why Are We Here?: Jocelyne, Anna, and JoJo share their cohort experiences and how they are using the information to assist their families in avoiding student loan debt and expanding their own college access. They candidly share their initial confusion as middle school students regarding college and careers; how they discovered their gifts and talents; and how they have benefitted by their involvement with college-bound students holding similar aspirations, while being supported and guided by college students serving as mentors and advisers.
Repost: Purdue Global Nursing Scholarships
December 9, 2021
Despite making up nearly 40% of the population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, minorities aren’t proportionally represented in nursing. According to the 2020 National Nursing Workforce Study by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, as reported in the Journal of Nursing Regulation, only 19.5% of RN respondents were minorities.
One way to increase diversity in nursing is to lower the burden of attaining a nursing degree. Earmarking scholarship funds for minority communities including Native American, Asian, Alaska Native, and African American nursing students is key to fostering diversity in nursing.
“Diversity is critical as it brings a number of culture and belief systems together that enable us to collaborate and capitalize on our strengths and increase awareness of our patient needs and the needs of our communities, which in turns helps to improve patient outcomes,” says Melissa Burdi, DNP, dean and vice president for the School of Nursing at Purdue University Global.
Here are 12 nursing school scholarships for minorities to gain entry into higher education.
Scholarships for Minority Nursing Students
Sponsored by the Asian American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association, this $1,000 annual scholarship is for members of at least two years who are enrolled in undergraduate or graduate nursing programs and meet academic and leadership requirements.
2. Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium Scholarships
The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium offers 10 $5,000 scholarships to Alaska Native and American Indian students enrolled in training or education programs that would allow them to work in the health care field. Applicants must be permanent Alaska residents.
3. American Indian Nurse Scholarship Program
The National Society of The Colonial Dames of America offers an annual $1,500 scholarship to help students of American Indian descent complete nursing programs and work in health care.
The Indian Health Service offers three scholarship programs of varying amounts for Alaska Native and American Indian students studying health care. Recipients must commit to working in an Indian health program for two years.
5. M. Elizabeth Carnegie African American Memorial Award
Nurses Educational Fund, Inc., offers a $2,000 endowed scholarship to African American nurses in doctoral nursing programs. The award was named after M. Elizabeth Carnegie, the first Black nurse to serve as a voting member on the board of a state nursing association.
6. NAANA Scholarships for Nursing Study
The National American Arab Nurses Association offers an annual scholarship program for applicants of Arab descent who are members of NAANA and enrolled at any level of nursing program. This can include associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or RN-to-BSN programs.
7. NAHN United Health Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship is for members of the National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN), who have enrolled full-time in a nursing program. The scholarship awards $5,000 for three years.
8. Native Hawaiian Health Scholarship Program
The National Health Service Corps, part of the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration, offers this scholarship to native Hawaiians pursuing careers in health care. The scholarship covers tuition and other school-related costs and provides a monthly stipend. In return, you must work in a medically underserved area within Hawaii for every year of funding you receive.
The National Black Nurses Association offers a number of scholarship programs for NBNA members. Applicants must have at least one year of school remaining and awards vary from $1,000 to $6,000 depending on the specific scholarship.
10. Philippine Nurses Association of America Scholarship
One $1,000 scholarship is offered to PNAA members who are graduate students pursuing a doctorate or post-master’s degree. Other academic requirements may apply.
11. Thomara Latimer Cancer Foundation Scholarship
This scholarship for African American students under 30 who live in Michigan is designed to help students attend health care programs. Award amounts vary and students must maintain a 3.0 GPA.
12. Udall Undergraduate Scholarship
This award of up to $7,000 is earmarked for Native American and Alaska Native college students who are studying a health care field and plan to work with native communities during their careers.
Minority Nursing Associations
Whether you’re looking for more scholarships or just want some fellowship in the nursing community, consider these minority nursing associations.
- American Association for Men in Nursing (AAMN)
- Asian American/Pacific Islander Nurses Association, Inc. (AAPINA)
- Black Nurses Rock (BNR)
- National Alaska Native American Indian Nurses Association, Inc. (NANAINA)
- National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Inc. (NAHN)
- National Association of Indian Nurses of America (NAINA)
- National Black Nurses Association (NBNA)
- National Coalition of Ethnic Minority Nurse Associations (NCEMNA)
- National Indian Nurse Practitioners Association of America (NINPAA)
- Philippine Nurses Association of America, Inc. (PNAA)
Tips for Applying for Nursing Scholarships
When dealing with something as serious as paying for nursing school, it is easy to become overwhelmed. Here are some things to know before applying:
- Consider past winners. By looking at previous winners, you can get an example of the types of candidates the scholarship committee is looking for.
- Check eligibility requirements. When looking for minority nursing scholarships, there are very obvious eligibility requirements. But also check for GPA and career goal requirements and don’t waste time with scholarships where your career goals don’t align.
- Follow instructions. Because so many people apply for scholarships, simple mistakes like not saving your files together or missing an essay can cost you real money. Follow instructions closely when applying for scholarships.
- Carefully craft your essay. An essay, if required, is a great way to stand out to a scholarship committee, but it is also an opportunity to lose out on a scholarship if you don’t thoroughly understand the prompt. Make time for research and writing.
- Proofread your essay and materials. Bad grammar and poor punctuation could cost you an award for nursing school. If possible, have someone else edit your essay to make sure it flows and is grammatically correct.
- Deadlines matter. Be organized when applying for scholarships and make sure to track deadlines carefully. You don’t want to be preparing materials at the last minute. Consider creating a checklist of all the awards you are applying for so you don’t miss any important dates or information.
Earn a Nursing Degree Online
If you’re considering earning an online RN-to-BSN, a master’s degree in nursing, or a DNP, consider Purdue University Global. We offer nursing programs for busy working nurses who need the flexibility of online learning. Request more information to get started.
Newsletter: December 1, 2021
December 1, 2021
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We will host our fourth meeting of the 2021-22 school year from 10:00 am to Noon on Saturday, December 11, 2021. Our guest speaker will be Stephanie Gonzalez, former Williams College Associate Director of Admissions and current Associate Director of College Counseling for Trinity School in New York. I first met Stephanie while accompanying cohort alumna Kimberly Hadaway to the Williams College First Generation Students Weekend in 2017. Stephanie has been an outspoken advocate for first generation and marginalized students successfully navigating selective college admissions. Steph will provide insight into competitive college admissions; how students of color and those from lower-income families can make themselves competitive applicants for selective colleges and universities; how applications are evaluated; and the impact of essays and recommendation letters.
Congratulations to the following students whose presentations were nominated for our College Cohort Presentation Award for November:
Newsletter: November 1, 2021
November 1, 2021
November 1, 2021
Mychal Wynn (Northeastern ’79)
We will miss you Dr. Bobby…
Khoi Hammonds, one of our students from Trinity, Alabama, lost her grandfather, Dr. Bobby Griffin on October 30, 2021. We met Khoi through her grandfather, who lived in Atlanta, Georgia and whom we fondly referred to as Dr. Bobby. Many of the families, who have become part of our cohort family, were introduced to us via a friend, relative, neighbor, or co-worker. Dr. Bobby was a co-worker of Ms. Kim Pope, a longtime friend and church member, whose son Darrin was one of the many students with whom we worked while serving as Education Ministry Leaders at Turner Chapel AME Church in Marietta, Georgia. Subsequently, Dr. Bobby introduced us to his extraordinarily talented granddaughter, Khoi. While we only recently met Khoi and her family, we feel a part of their family and share in their grief knowing there will be an empty seat at this year’s Thanksgiving gathering. However, we are comforted by our faith knowing that Dr. Bobby is looking down from Heaven and will be celebrating each college acceptance received by his granddaughter as we do our best to continue to assist her in the road ahead. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the Griffin and Hammonds families.
November 1 Early Action (EA) and Early Decision (ED) Deadlines
Many students will be applying to college today via Early Action or Early Decision. Despite our encouraging students to choose their admissions cycles and begin working on their college essays last June, many students will be under tremendous stress today as they rush to finalize their Common Application essay and writing prompts. We are here to support you and won’t even say, “We told you so!”
But what is the difference between applying to college via Early Action versus Early Decision?
- Early Action (EA): A college admissions cycle through which applications receive “Early” consideration. Many colleges require students to apply via Early Action to be considered for their full range of institutional scholarships like the Stamps Scholars Program. Other colleges require students to apply via Early Action for priority consideration for their Honors Program, like Florida State University, North Carolina A&T State University, University of South Carolina – Columbia, and the University of Maryland – Baltimore County. Some schools, like UMBC, require an Early Action application to be considered for their wide range of specialized programs and scholarships like the Cyber Scholars, Center for Women in Technology, Humanities Scholars, Sherman STEM Teacher Scholars, Linehan Artist Scholars, Sondheim Public Affairs Scholars, and the prestigious Meyerhoff Scholars.
- Early Decision (ED): A college admissions cycle, like Early Action, through which applications receive “Early” decisions. However, unlike Early Action, Early Decision is a binding contract in which you agree to enroll if you are offered admission. Early Decision should only be used by students who have a clear top college choice; have thoroughly researched the college’s financial aid policy; believe themselves to a good academic match for the college’s programs and majors; and who are committed to enrolling should they be offered admission. Many of our students applying to highly selective schools have chosen to apply via Early Decision. For even the most academically accomplished student, Early Decision can be their best opportunity for being offered admission to a highly selective school.
No matter which admissions cycle a student chooses, they will benefit greatly from a well written Common Application essay and writing responses that provide a context for their overall application and makes a strong case as to why they are a good fit for the school and deserving of being offered admission.
Thank you…
Thank you to University of Chicago student and college intern, Sydney Soskin, who has agreed to serve as the advisor to our youth leadership board and who served as the moderator for our Pinellas County Schools Title I Parent Presentation for rising middle school students. Thank you also to our youth leadership board members, Jocelyne L., Josiah W., and Anna N., who did an outstanding job on our student panel. Thank you to Ellen Truskowski, Pinellas County Schools Director of Student Demographics, Assignment, and School Capacity for her presentation regarding school choice. We are excited to expand the Pinellas County Schools – school choice conversation at our meeting in January when we hope to have a panel of middle school principals and a parent panel.
Thank you to Songhai Deveaux, who coordinated two wonderful college planning sessions for Friendship Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Hopefully, their church members were inspired to begin a Friendship Missionary Baptist Church College Planning Cohort.
Thank you to all of the students who have demonstrated grit and worked through the September, October, and November activities. As a result of your efforts, our discussion groups have stabilized with groups of self-motivated students who are “Owning the Process” and submitting high quality work and engaging in thoughtful and deliberate monthly discussions.
Thank you to Allyson Terry, from the University of Georgia, who was the guest speaker at our October cohort meeting. Ms. Terry provided invaluable insight into selective college admissions in general, and into the admissions process at UGA in particular. Even as a public university, the University of Georgia admissions data provides a clear example of why students must enter high school “Owning the Process” and setting clear academic goals aligned with their college and career aspirations.
Saturday, November 13, 2021
November College Planning Cohort Meeting
We will host our third meeting of the 2021-22 school year at 10:00 am on Saturday, November 13, 2021. Our guest speaker will be Dr. Yen Duong, Mathematician, Writer, and Feminist. I first met Dr. Duong while serving as a moderator for the webinar, The Hidden Norms: Navigating the Obstructive Rules in the Mathematical Sciences. I was fascinated by Dr. Duong’s non-traditional career pathways in STEM.
Dr. Duong graduated from the Troy High School IB Program in Fullerton, California, is a graduate of Yale, and has a PhD from the University of Illinois in Chicago. She will be providing insight into selective college admissions, nontraditional STEM pathways, and unique opportunities for women and students of color. Dr. Duong has been a guest speaker at the University of Chicago Women in Mathematics Symposium, UNC Chapel Hill Science Writing and Communications Club, and Davidson Math/Computer Science Coffee Series.
In addition to Dr. Duong, our November cohort meeting will provide students with the opportunity to share the results of their Myers-Briggs Personality Type assessment and Interest Profile. Through the personality type assessment, students are able to plan their involvement in high school clubs and activities in a manner through which they continue to pursue exceptionality through activities for which their personality is the best fit. The Interest Profile is a good instrument for exposing students to careers aligned with their interest. Together, the two assessments guide students through the process of assessing if previously affirmed career aspirations are consistent with their personality type and interest profile, or, if other types of careers which may not have previously been under consideration, are more suited to who they are and what they enjoy doing. This is why we believe Dr. Duong to be the perfect speaker, who has discovered pathways merging her personality with her interest in STEM.
College Cohort Presentation Award Goes To…
College Planning Cohort Presentation Award: Awarded to one student in our 9th – 10th grade cohort and one student in our 11th grade cohort each month based on the quality and content of their narratives, and the creativity presented in their monthly slide presentation. To qualify for consideration, students must have completed and submitted all monthly presentations. One student presentation will be voted on and selected in each discussion group.
Congratulations to the following students whose presentations were nominated for our College Cohort Presentation Award for October:
9th – 10th Grade Cohort:
- Bryce E. – ASA Guide Right Cohort
- Griffin S. – Pinellas County Schools Cohort
- Jocelyne L. – Pinellas County Schools Cohort
- Nishan W. – ASA Guide Right Cohort
Jocelyne L., a 9th grader from the St. Petersburg High School IB Program in St. Petersburg, Florida is the recipient of the October 9th – 10th Grade College Planning Cohort Presentation Award. Jocelyne notes in her response to the question, “What has become clearer to me?”
“Through this module, I became more aware of the complexity of my gifts and talents, which areas I need to work on, and the goals I need to set for the future—strengthening my gifts and overcoming my weaknesses. I understand where and how I can improve and progress as well as the steps I need to complete. By creating a detailed plan, I now have a clearer view of how to maximize the opportunities available at my high school and my overall high school experience.”
11th Grade Cohort:
- Jayla J. – Florence County School District 3 Cohort
- Wa’Dasja H. – Pinellas County Schools Cohort
Jayla J., an 11th grader from Lake City Early College High School in Lake City, South Carolina is the recipient of the October 11th Grade College Planning Cohort Presentation Award. Jayla notes in her response to the question, “What has become clearer to me?”
“My gifts and talents are something I am constantly working on to improve. While I know what my strengths are, there are still things that I can do to become even better. I chose to focus on the verbal/linguistic and musical/rhythmic intelligences because those are the intelligences I believe to best represent my passions and in which I am most gifted.
I will continue developing my gifts to create a strong body of work and further become a competitive college applicant.”
Each of these presentations has been inserted into the final unit for October. Please refer to them as an example to guide your efforts as you update your November presentations and develop your December presentations. While presentations are due by the final day of each month to qualify for being assigned to a discussion group, you have nearly two weeks prior to the monthly meeting to update your presentation.
Cohort Students – 11:59 pm Deadline
Narrative responses and monthly presentations are due by 11:59 pm on the final day of each month. This allows discussion group leaders and interns the opportunity to review and comment on each student’s presentation. Modules open on the day of our monthly meetings to allow students an entire month to prepare their presentations, i.e., students will have access to December’s Module on Saturday, November 13, 2021, the day of our November cohort meeting.
Florence School District 3
Florence School District 3 Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Laura Hickson, is ensuring that her students have every opportunity to develop a comprehensive college-bound plan. Her 2021-22 initiatives include supporting college readiness through the Writing Center and college planning through the Florence School District 3 College Planning Cohort. Click here to view the district’s College Planning Cohort video.
- Monday and Wednesday from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm: The all-virtual Writing Center for any FSD3 students in grades k – 12 is open. Any student, or parent, in the district can bring their homework, test preparation, or essays for review and support. High school seniors can receive guidance and editorial review of their college and scholarship essays and communication with college admissions and financial aid officers. Students should register with their counselor. Click here to attend…
- Tuesday and Thursday from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm: The all-virtual College Planning Cohort sessions are offered to all FSD3 high school students in grades 9 – 12. Students receive hands-on instruction in completing the monthly units and engage in discussions about the activities in the curriculum and opportunities in their local community to pursue leadership and service aligned with their gifts, talents, and college/career aspirations. Interested students should contact Ms. Kendra Wilson in the Guidance Office. Click here to attend…
Mark Your Calendar
- Tuesday, November 30, 2021 (11:59 pm): December presentations due.
- Wednesday, December 1, 2021: Next round of Early Action and Early Decision College Application Deadlines.
- Saturday, December 11, 2021 (10:00 am – Noon): Our December Cohort Meeting. Stephanie Gonzalez, former Associate Director of Admissions for Diversity Recruitment at Williams College and the current Associate Director of College Counselors at the Trinity School will be our guest speaker. Ms. Gonzalez will provide a further context for pursuing exceptionality and the many ways in which students can position themselves as exceptional college applicants. The Meeting ID is: 884 7893 8939.
Reminder: Be sure to check your email as we regularly forward emails regarding summer programs, college fairs, and pre-college opportunities.
Click here to learn more about our cohorts and other programs…
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