Fast Approaching Deadline: Horatio Alger Scholarship, Deadline October 25, 2013

October 21, 2013

Horatio Alger Ronald C. Waranch Scholarship Program: Deadline is October 25, 2013.  The Horatio Alger Ronald C. Waranch Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to students in the State of Georgia who have exhibited integrity and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity and who aspire to pursue higher education. To be eligible to apply for the Horatio Alger Ronald C. Waranch Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Be enrolled full time as a high school senior in Georgia; be progressing normally toward graduation in spring/summer of 2014 with plans to enter a college in the United States no later than the fall following graduation
  • Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited non-profit public or private institution in the United States (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution)
  • Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required)
  • Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities
  • Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity
  • Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0
  • Be a resident of the State of Georgia; and
  • Be a United States citizen

For additional information, visit: https://www.horatioalger.org/scholarships/program_waranchgeorgia.cfm.

Coca-Cola Scholars

October 21, 2013

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities. With the 28th class in 2016, the Foundation has provided over 5,700 Coca-Cola Scholars with more than $60 million in educational support. 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship.

What are the benefits of becoming a Scholar?

So much great stuff. In addition to the monetary award, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation greatly values staying connected to Scholars even after college. The Foundation hosts frequent receptions throughout the country and also invites Scholars from all classes to return to Atlanta for a Leadership Summit every five years to engage in interactive sessions developed by alumni.

The Coca-Cola Scholar Foundation’s vision is to develop a powerful network of community leaders, touched by Coca-Cola, whose vision will help shape the world, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come. When you become a Scholar, you become a part of that incredible, influential network.

What is the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation?

To celebrate Coca-Cola’s centennial in 1986, The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola bottlers came together to fund the Coca−Cola Scholars Foundation. This commitment to education enables the Foundation to support over 1,400 college students each year, with annual scholarships of $3.4 million through two nationally recognized programs on behalf of the Coca-Cola System.

The mission of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is to provide scholarship programs and lifelong enrichment opportunities in support of exceptional peoples’ thirst for knowledge and their desire to make a difference in the world.

What scholarships are available to prospective applicants, and who can apply?

CCSF awards funding through three scholarship programs each year:

  1. Coca-Cola Scholars Scholarship – High school seniors with a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA may apply on our website in August of their senior year until the October 31 deadline. 150 Coca-Cola Scholars are selected each year to receive this $20,000 scholarship.
  2. Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team – 50 Gold $1,500, 50 Silver $1,250 and 50 Bronze $1,000 scholarships. Current students at two-year community colleges may apply between October 1 and December 2. This scholarship is administered by Phi Theta Kappa, and application details can be found on their website, www.ptk.org.
  3. Coca-Cola Leaders of Promise – 180 scholarships of $1,000. Current students at two-year community colleges may apply between February 27 and April 30. This scholarship is administered by Phi Theta Kappa, and application details can be found on their website, www.ptk.org.

How do I apply for the Coca-Cola Scholars Scholarship?

Our application is currently closed and will reopen in August 2017.

The application requires you to list your grades, school and community activities, and employment, but no essays or additional materials are required.

What does the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation look for when selecting recipients?

Coca-Cola Scholars are well-rounded, bright students who not only excel academically, but are also actively involved in their schools. These leaders are passionate and service-oriented, and demonstrate a sustained commitment to bettering their community.

How can the scholarship be used?

This scholarship is unique in that recipients have between 4-10 years to use their full award and may opt to defer all or part of the award within that 10-year timeframe.

In addition to using funds for tuition at an accredited college or university, Scholars may also use their funds for other educational expenses as specified by the Foundation, such as on-campus housing, for a computer, or textbooks.

What are the benefits of becoming a Scholar?

So much great stuff. In addition to the monetary award, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation greatly values staying connected to Scholars even after college. The Foundation hosts frequent receptions throughout the country and also invites Scholars from all classes to return to Atlanta for a Leadership Summit every five years to engage in interactive sessions developed by alumni.

The Coca-Cola Scholar Foundation’s vision is to develop a powerful network of community leaders, touched by Coca-Cola, whose vision will help shape the world, leaving a lasting legacy for generations to come. When you become a Scholar, you become a part of that incredible, influential network.

Deadline is October 31

 

Universal Common Application

October 17, 2013

Many students, parents, and educators have expressed frustration regarding technical issues with the Common Application, the lack of technical support, and the confusion being experienced by students and recommenders. In part, due to such problems with the Common Application, many colleges allow students to submit their application for admission through the Universal College Applicationas well as through their own online application systems. Currently, only 33 colleges are accepting applications through the Universal College Application. However, if problems persist with the Common Application, you can expect more colleges to sign up to accept applications from the Universal Common Application.

Read the CNN article, “College Application Instantly Gets Worse” which highlights colleges that are extending their deadlines.

Read the Washington Post article, “Online Common Application problems lead colleges to push back deadlines.”

Read the article, “8 excellent reasons to switch to the Universal College Application.”

Read the Examiner.com article regarding the problems with the Common Application…

Read what Princeton University says…

Read the Harvard welcome to users of the Universal College Application…

Read how other colleges are offering alternatives to the Common Application…

Read why some colleges prefer the University College Application…

Click here to preview the application…

 

Early Admissions Cycles

October 14, 2013

Most colleges offer students a variety of opportunities to apply for admission. The purpose of this posting is to assist students and parents in better understanding the early admissions cycles and any advantages students might realize by choosing an early admissions cycle over another.

Early Decision I and II (ED)

Early Decision is a binding contract. Some colleges offer Early Decision I and Early Decision II with different application deadlines. Students may apply to only one college via Early Decision. If the student is accepted, the decision is binding, which means that the student must enroll in the college and should withdraw their applications from any other schools to which they have applied. However, if admitted students can convince the college that the financial aid award is inadequate, the student may be released from the commitment to attend. Student is free to apply to an unlimited number of colleges via their regular decision cycle.

Advantages: The Early Decision pool of applicants is typically much smaller than the regular admissions pool. At all but the most highly selective colleges the chances of being accepted are greater—sometimes, substantially greater. The student receives an early admissions response, typically by December 15 of the student’s senior year of high school. Admitted students who apply for financial aid will also receive their financial aid award letter.

Disadvantages: Students must apply early. Application deadlines are typically between October 15 and November 15 of the student’s senior year of high school. The decision is binding and the student must make a commitment to attend the college loses any opportunity of comparing award letters from other colleges. The student loses any application fees paid to colleges to which the student has applied.

Click here for the Wesleyan University Early Decision I and II options…

Early Action (AD)

Early Action in most respects is similar to Early Decision with one significant exception—it is nonbinding. Under the Early Action program, many colleges do not have a limit on the number of colleges to which students may apply Early Action.

Advantages: Same as Early Decision with the additional advantage of being able to apply to more than one college under their Early Action program.

Disadvantages: Same as Early Decision with the exception that the decision is nonbinding and the student may continue to compare options and award letters from other colleges.

Click here the University of Georgia Early Action policy…

Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA) [also known as Restricted Early Action]

Under the Single-Choice Early Action program, students may apply to only one college as an Early Action or Early Decision candidate. However, the policy may allow students to apply to the Early Action program at public universities. It is important to understand the restrictions of the college to which students apply under the college’s SCEA progam. As in the case with Early Action, the decision is nonbinding.

Advantages: Same as Early Decision.

Disadvantages: Same as Early Decision with the exception that the decision is nonbinding and the student may continue to compare options and award letters from other colleges.

Click here for the Stanford University policy…

Click here for the Harvard University policy…

The Early Action/Decision acceptance rate versus the acceptance rate through the regular decision process can widely vary by college. U.S. News & World Reports provides a listing comparing the acceptance rates between Eagle Action candidates and students who applied via the college’s regular admissions cycle. Click here to view the listing…

The CollegeData website provides opportunities to compare the admission rates at most colleges and universities.

Click here for an example of the Amherst College Early Decision rate at CollegeData…

Click here for the article, “Advice on Applying to Top U.S. Colleges via Early Decision or Early Action.”

 

Young Arts Scholarship

September 24, 2013

Deadline is October 18

Students in grades 10-12 interested in voice, writing, jazz, photography, dance, visual arts, music, theater, cinematic arts, or design arts are encouraged to apply for the Young Arts Scholarship.

Information can be found at: http://www.youngarts.org/

Attention Seniors: Have You Joined the PTSA Yet?

September 24, 2013

Seniors, I hope the answer to the above question is yes because the PTSA of most of the area high schools award scholarships in the Spring and to even qualify to apply you must  have a student membership.  This is the time of the year that many schools are running PTSA drives and some of the drives run through the end of October and even early November so please check with your school’s PTSA if you haven’t already so you won’t miss out on the opportunity to apply for these scholarships when the time rolls around.

Although each PTSA’s scholarship categories may differ, some of the scholarships awarded by PTSA organizations are based on the student’s academic record  and some are based on the student’s Community Service.

In Cobb County, not only can students apply for their school’s PTSA but later in the year various council’s of PTSAs made up of different schools in the area award additional scholarship awards.  One of these councils, The South Cobb Council of PTSA, awards the SHINE Award Scholarship and students are eligible to apply if they are members of PTAs at South Cobb, Hillgrove, McEachern, and Pebblebrook High Schools.

Students, be sure to keep your ears open for the announcements regarding PTSA memberships and don’t miss out on the opportunity to join and gain access to another possible scholarship opportunity.

Turner Chapel AME Church College Fair

September 22, 2013

The Turner Chapel AME Church’s 4th annual college fair is an excellent opportunity for students and families to learn what it takes to get into college and how to avoid incurring thousands of dollars in student loan debt.

High school seniors should come prepared:

  • Bring your résumé, transcript, SAT/ACT score reports
  • Many colleges will waive application fees for applications submitted at the college fair
  • Learn about institutional grants, scholarships, financial aid, and the HOPE scholarship

All of other students should come and learn:

  • What it takes to get accepted into top colleges
  • What type of classes you should be taking in middle and high school
  • What type of SAT/ACT scores will get you full scholarships
  • What type of leadership, community service, and activities will qualify you for top scholarships

Parents:

  • I [Mychal Wynn] will be conducting a session on “Scholarships, financial aid, and Making the Right College Choice”
  • The Georgia Student Finance Commission will be conducting a session on the HOPE scholarship and other Georgia scholarships and grants
  • Other sessions will provide information on 529 savings plans, college admissions, SAT/ACT prep, and more…
  • Resources include the Gates Millennium Scholars program, Posse Foundation program, Questbridge program, fraternities, sororities, the Turner Chapel Education Ministry, and more…

Click here to watch video from the 2011 College Fair…

Learning for Life Career Explorer Programs

September 7, 2013

Learning for Life offers seven programs designed to support schools and community based organizations focused on character development and career education. The Career Exploring Program is for young men and women who are 14 (and have completed the eighth grade) or 15 through 20 years old. Youth are introduced to 12 different career fields.

Watch a video about the various programs…

What is Exploring?

Following are some of the Explorer Programs offered in the Atlanta area:

Some of the organizations offering scholarships to youth who participate in Explorer Programs are:

The learn more about Explorer programs or scholarships in your area, perform an Internet search on “Your area (i.e., city, county, state, or community) + Explorer Programs.