February 2024


A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER

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I SUBMITTED MY SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION!

WHAT ARE THE NEXT STEPS?


Manage recommendation submission

While the SFA application deadline is January 31, recommenders have until Wednesday, February 14 to submit their letters of recommendation. Students without recommendations will lose points when the overall SFA application is eventually reviewed and scored. Applicants who wish to confirm that their recommendations have been uploaded should reach out to Alyssa Samuel at alyssa.samuel@acps.k12.va.us.

 

Provide FAFSA or alternative documentation if applying for SFA’s need-based scholarships no later than March 1, 2024


All students who wish to be considered for SFA’s renewable, need-based scholarships are required to provide documentation no later than March 1, 2024. Students should provide this documentation by logging into sfa.awardspring.com and following the steps in this video.


Students must provide the 2024-25 FAFSA Submission Summary or an accepted alternative. The following alternatives will be accepted if the student is ineligible to complete the FAFSA:


      2024-25 Virginia Alternative State Aid Application

      2024-25 Financial Aid Letter (with a calculated Student Aid Index number)

       2024-25 Federal Student Aid Estimator (to be completed with Ms. Samuel)


Failure to submit the FAFSA or one of the alternatives listed above will severely limit the number of scholarships for which students qualify.

 

Check email regularly

If there is an issue with a student’s application or a student is missing required documentation, the student will be contacted to provide the necessary documentation. Students should regularly check and promptly respond to email requests to ensure that their SFA application can be processed successfully.

 

Award Notification

Applicants will be notified via email early to mid-April in regarding the status of their SFA Application. All SFA Scholarship recipients will receive further details about their scholarship award and the awarding process.


MAJOR OF THE MONTH


Social Work



Social workers provide support for individuals and families as they cope with challenges. Social workers can specialize in one of many areas (schools and hospitals, for example), or can serve in general capacities (government agencies, for example). A bachelor's degree in social work can prepare you for graduate study (and state licensing) in clinical social work or for entry-level work with clients. Find out more HERE (Occupational Outlook Handbook).


All social workers must be licensed by state agencies. Degrees in Social Work must be accredited by the Council on Social Work Education.


Virginia has fourteen fully-accredited programs awarding bachelor's degrees in social work. Find that list HERE.


RESOURCE OF THE MONTH


Career Exploration Events at ACHS


REGISTER AND ATTEND



UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY!

DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THE COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS BETTER FOR ALL STUDENTS?


Apply to be a member of the Common Application's Student Advisory Committee. According to the Common Application: "The purpose of this group is to give you, the students, a seat at the table in college admissions. We want to learn from you and get your ideas and feedback on Common App's work!"


Current high school juniors and seniors are eligible to apply. Applications are due on March 1.


Students selected will be required to attend monthly meeting beginning in July 2024. Advisory Committee members will be paid for their participation.


For more information or to apply, follow THIS LINK.

IMPORTANT DATES

Where can you find SFA in February and March?


February


Tuesdays and Thursdays: Virtual Office Hours/FAFSA Support


Through the month of February, we will provide online FAFSA support via ZOOM. Log in HERE and ask your questions from the comfort of your own home.


Wednesdays: APPY HOURS (3:15-4:30), KS Rotunda


Join us every Wednesday to get help with all your applications with coming due dates. Come for the snacks, stay for the support! APPY HOURS run from 3:15 - 4:30 PM. You do not have to register in advance or make an appointment.


7 - NOVA Visit with Ms. Haywood, KS College and Career Center, all lunches


20 - NOVA Visit with Ms. Haywood, KS College and Career Center, all lunches


12- Senior Experience Information Session, all lunches, ACHS KS Auditorium Lecture Hall (COMPLETE THE INTEREST FORM)


13 - ACHS Career Fair, 3-4:30 PM, ACHS KS Cafeteria

REGISTER HERE


14 - Senior Experience Information Session, all lunches, ACHS KS Auditorium (COMPLETE THE INTEREST FORM)


16 - CAREER CON: A POST-GRAD MASTERCLASS, ACHS AUDITORIUM, 1:45-5 PM

REGISTER HERE


March


1 - FAFSA DONUT FRIDAY - Show your confirmed FAFSA submission and get a donut on us! A115, A-117, A-121


6 - NOVA Visit - Meet with Ms. Haywood during all lunches


12 - Build your College List/VIsion Boarding Activity - Beatley Branch Alexandria City Library, 6-7 PM


12 - First Gen College Presentation w/College and Career Center, ZOOM (Link to Come), 6-7 PM


14 - Higher Ed Forum w/Christchurch Refugee Ministries, ACHS KS Cafeteria, 6-8 PM


19 - NOVA Visit with Ms. Haywood, KS College and Career Center, all lunches


25-29 - Building Better Futures Externship, contact Ms. India at bbf@campagniacenter.org or call 703-232-4333

The SFA is here for you all year long!

The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria, a 501(c)(3) organization, was established in 1986 by concerned citizens to help academically qualified students with financial need from Alexandria City Public Schools afford postsecondary education.


Through its relationship with the community, the mission of The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria is to encourage and assist the students of Alexandria City Public Schools by providing them with necessary resources to access and complete a college, technical or career program of postsecondary education.  

The Scholarship Fund Office is open from 8–4:30pm Monday through Friday. Mrs. Miller and Ms. Rodriguez are available to meet with students via appointment or walk-ins.


Interested in more information? 

Contact us at college@acps.k12.va.us


Text us at (703) 219-8713


Make an appointment with Mrs. Miller, Director of College Advising, (KS A-115), here: https://calendly.com/sfa-christine-miller



Make an appointment with Ms. Rodriguez, College Adviser, (KS A-117) here:

https://calendly.com/anayxiarodriguez


Are you an alumni, a scholarship recipient, or have questions about the SFA Scholarship?



Contact Ms. Alyssa Samuel

(KS A-121),

Director of Scholarship Programming alyssa.samuel@acps.k12.va.us


Make an appointment with

Ms. Samuel here:

http://calendly.com/alyssa-samuel


BE IN-THE-KNOW!

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Click the button below to join

the SFA community.

Get vital information and learn about upcoming events! We send text messages and emails and host events all year long!

Join our Community!

Do you know about Micro-Scholarships?


Micro Scholarships, Such as RaiseMe, allow students to accumulate scholarship awards during high school based on their accomplishments and transfer that money as grant awards when they enroll in partner colleges. Students can begin developing their profile and earning scholarship funds in 9th grade.


Several VA universities are RaiseMe partners, including VA Tech, Hollins, Emory & Henry, and Randolph-Macon. Over 300 colleges participate in the RaiseMe movement.


Develop a RaiseMe profile HERE.

Scholarships with February/March Deadlines

Highlights for Juniors:



Summer Pre-College Programs (Free, Low-Cost, and programs offering full scholarships)


Appily has created a searchable database to help high schools students learn more about available summer pre-college programs. Programs on the list serve students in several different content areas and many locations.


For more information, follow THIS LINK

LAST CHANCE!



Scholarship Application closes TODAY (January 31, 2024)


Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Scholarship

Sponsor: The Scholarship Fund

Amount: varies

Closing Date: January 31, 2024

Description: $500 - $10,000 scholarships available (many of which are renewable). Awards are exclusively for graduating ACHS seniors with a 2.0+ GPA, and both financial need-based and non-need based awards are available. About 50% of applicants win! Open to undocumented students and other students who are not eligible to complete the FAFSA.


OPENING SOON



QuestBridge College Prep Scholars

Sponsor: QuestBridge

Amount: varies

Closing Date: March 2024 (application will open early February)

Description: Students with high financial need (household income of $65,000 per year or less) who have a 3.75+ GPA and are enrolled in AP/DE courses should consider applying to QuestBridge College Prep Scholars summer program (including undocumented or DACA students). This all-expense-paid summer program will give students a leg-up in applying for QuestBridge College Match, a 4-year full-ride scholarship to top ranked partner colleges. Applications are due in late March for the summer program and late September for the college scholarship. If interested, please contact Mrs. Miller at christine.miller@acps.k12.va.us.


Educational Opportunities for Alexandrians (EOA) Scholarship

Sponsor: EOA

Amount: Full-tuition for 2 years at Northern Virginia Community College

Closing Date: March 2024 (will open in February 2024)

Description: Educational Opportunities for Alexandrians (EOA) has been established to assist Alexandria City High School seniors whose immigration status creates barriers to higher education and who plan to continue their education in the upcoming year at Northern Virginia Community College. This tuition and books/materials scholarship is renewable for the equivalent of two years of full-time study upon submission of documentation indicating the maintaining of a 2.5 grade point average for the semester prior to that requested for renewal.


FEBRUARY 2024


Wings Over America Scholarship

Sponsor: Wings Over America Scholarship Foundation

Amount: $5,000 (may be renewable)

Deadline: February 1, 2024 at 5 PM EST

Description: Open to dependent children/stepchildren and the spouses of active duty, retired, honorably discharged, or diseased Enlisted or Officer U.S. Navy personnel who serve or have served in U.S. Navy Aviation. Available to dependent children candidates who are graduating high school seniors, high school graduates (or homeschooled equivalent), current college or trade school students. Dependent children candidates must be 22 or younger by March 1, 2024 and must ultimately enroll as full-time students during the 2024-25 school year. Dependent spouse candidates can opt to enroll full-time or part time (with a minimum of 6 credits per semester). Also open to spouses and children of U.S. Navy members who died while on active duty serving within a U.S. Navy aviation command.


SME Education Foundation Scholarships

Sponsor: SME (Society of Manufacturing Engineering) Education Fund

Amount: $2,500 - $20,000

Closing Date: February 1, 2024

Description: Need- and merit-based scholarships open to students pursuing associate’s, bachelor’s, or graduate degrees in Manufacturing, Engineering, or related disciplines. Applicants must have a minimum 2.0 GPA and either be a graduating high school senior or current college student. Applicants must be permanent residents or citizens of the United States or Canada, or have a U.S. or Canadian student visa. Students who have financial need (as measured by Pell Grant eligibility) and/or students who plan to attend a community college are particularly encouraged to apply!


James Madison Centennial Scholars Program

Sponsor: James Madison University

Amount: full Cost of Attendance

Closing Date: February 1, 2024

Description: The Centennial Scholars Program (CSP) at James Madison University provides financial support to talented first-generation Pell Grant-eligible students from the Commonwealth of Virginia. This highly competitive award is open to incoming first-year and transfer students as well as current JMU students. Students who are accepted into CSP (referred to as "Centennials") are awarded a combination of federal, state, and institutional grants totaling the cost of in-state tuition, mandatory fees, housing, and meals. Centennials must meet program-specific need-based eligibility requirements in future years to maintain the full value of the award. To be considered eligible for the Centennial Scholars Program, all applicants must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) no later than February 01, 2024, be subsequently deemed eligible for the Federal Pell Grant, qualify for in-state tuition, and demonstrate exemplary academic performance.



Generation Hope Scholarship*

Sponsor: Generation Hope

Amount: $1,200 per year for 2-year college / $2,400 per year for 4-year college

Closing Date: Deadline: February 1 (priority) and April 1

Description: Students eligible to be Generation Hope Scholars must be teen parents (defined as pregnant/expecting by age 19) who are 25 or younger at the time of application. Applicants must be raising or actively involved in their child’s life, attending or planning to attend college in fall 2024 in the D.C. metro area, and seeking an associate or bachelor’s degree. Additionally, students must be either a U.S. Citizen, legal U.S. Resident, or have Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status or any other immigration status that allows them in-state tuition and work eligibility. Recipients must continue to meet eligibility criteria to receive all installments of the scholarship.


Ben Carlson Scholarship  

Sponsor: Ben Carlson Foundation

Amount: $10,000

Closing Date: February 1, 2024

Description: $10,000 scholarships open to high school seniors and undergraduate students with past or present participation in a junior lifeguard program or past or present employment as an open water lifeguard. Pool lifeguarding and/or certification are not considered. High school applicants must have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.2, and undergraduate students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0. Open to students who will be attending a four-year postsecondary school during the 2024-25 academic year as a full-time undergraduate student.


Dream Project Scholarship

Sponsor: The Dream Project

Amount: $3,500

Closing Date: February 1, 2024

Description: Open to Virginia high school seniors and college students who were born outside of the United States and whose immigration status (undocumented, DACA, TPS, Asylum Applicant) creates barriers to success in college. Recipients are expected to attend an accredited two- or four-year college or university.


John F. and Anna Lee Stacey Scholarship

Sponsor: National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum

Amount: $500-$5,000

Closing Date: February 1, 2024

Description: Scholarship open to students between the ages 18-35 who aim to make art their profession.


Fund for Education Abroad

Sponsor: Fund for Education Abroad

Amount: varies

Closing Date: February 4, 2024

Description: $5,000 - $10,000 scholarship for current college students intending to pursue study abroad opportunities. The study abroad program must be at least four weeks and offer credits that are transferrable to the student’s home institution.


 AMS Freshman Undergraduate Scholarship

Sponsor: AMS

Amount: $5,000

Closing Date: February 3, 2024

Description: $5,000 scholarships awarded $2,500 for each year (freshman and sophomore years). Open to high school students with a 3.0+ GPA who will be freshmen in the Fall of 2024 pursuing a career in the atmospheric and related oceanic or hydrologic sciences (not including marine biology). Applicants must be U.S. citizens or hold permanent resident status. The Society encourages applications from women, minorities, and disabled students, traditionally underrepresented in the atmospheric and related oceanic and hydrologic sciences.


Beat the Odds Scholarship

Sponsor: Alexandria Bar Association

Amount: varies

Closing Date: February 9, 2024

Description: Scholarship available for students able to describe how they “Beat the Odds” in their life. Students must state their reason(s) as to why you should be awarded a scholarship. Describe or explain the financial, emotional, physical, and mental hardship(s) you have faced in your life. (A hardship may be a long-term or ongoing situation, or a one-time life changing situation.)

Davidson Fellows Scholarship Fund

Sponsor: Davidson Institute

Amount: $10,000 - $50,000

Closing Date: February 14, 2024 at 12 PM

Description: $10,000 - $50,000 scholarships awarded to extraordinary young people under the age of 18 by the deadline working on high-level projects in the STEM and Humanities fields. The Davidson Institute is looking for students whose projects are at, or close to, the college graduate level with a depth of knowledge in their particular area of study. Applicants can submit the application individually or as a part of a team of two. Applicants must choose a category and refer to the specific requirements for the selected category. Categories include science, technology, engineering, math, literature, music, philosophy, and outside the box. Projects in the arts including but not limited to photography, sculpture, and film are not eligible for consideration.


 Heroes’ Legacy Scholarship

Sponsor: Fisher House

Amount: Up to $5,000

Closing Date: February 14, 2024 at 11:59 PST

Description: $5,000 maximum scholarships available to dependent unmarried children under the age of 23 of active-duty personnel, Reserve/Guard, and retired military members. Applicants must be the child of a parent who has died or become disabled through their active military service on or after September 11th, 2001. (More detailed criteria specifications in regards to service and disability can be found here.) Open to high school and college students who will be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor’s degree or a community or junior college designed to allow for direct transfer into a four-year program. High school applicants must have a 3.0+ GPA, and college applicants must have a 2.5+ GPA.


Scholarships for Military Children Program

Sponsor: Defense Commissary Agency

Amount: $2,000

Closing Date: February 14, 2024 at 11:59 PST

Description: $2,000 scholarships available to students under the age of 23 whose parents are serving in or retired from the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, or Coast Guard. Open to high school and college students who will be enrolled in a full-time undergraduate program leading to a Bachelor’s degree or a community or junior college designed to allow for direct transfer into a four-year program. High school applicants must have a 3.0+ GPA, and college applicants must have a 2.5+ GPA.


ATSS Roadway Worker Memorial Scholarship

Sponsor: ATSS

Amount: up to $10,000

Closing: February 15, 2022

Description: Scholarships worth up to $10,000 for dependents (children and spouses) of workers killed or permanently disabled in roadway work zones. Parents with custody of legal guardianship of surviving children are also eligible. The scholarship must be applied to a post-secondary institution (including vocational programs and training institutions) that requires a high school diploma or GED for admission.


 Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Sponsor: Hispanic Scholarship Fund

Amount: $500-$5,000

Closing Date: February 15, 2024

Description: $500 - 5,000 scholarships open to Hispanic high school seniors with a 3.0+ GPA and current college/graduate students with a 2.5+ GPA of Hispanic heritage. Open to U.S. citizens, permanent legal residents, eligible non-citizens, and DACA students. Applicants must plan to enroll full-time in an accredited, public or not-for-profit, four-year university, or graduate school, in the US, for the 2022-2023 academic year.


Virginia State Scholarship Fund

Sponsor: Virginia PEO

Amount: $1,500-$2,500

Closing Date: February 15, 2024

Description: $1,500 - $2,500 scholarships open to young women who will be incoming college freshman in the fall of 2022 or current college students. Applicants should have financial need and must have a 3.0+ GPA. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents, in addition to being a Virginia resident who will be attending an accredited Virginia institution of higher education as a full-time undergraduate student.



Animal Welfare Institute Scholarship

Sponsor: Animal Welfare Institute

Amount: $2,000

Closing Date: February 16, 2022

Description: $2,000 scholarships available to high school seniors with a demonstrated commitment to animal welfare. Applicants will be asked to provide four essays and two letters of recommendation (one of which should come from a reference who is able to verify your involvement in advocating for or working with animals)


VSGA-VIP Scholarship Foundation

Sponsor: VSGA

Amount: $1,500 -$7,000

Closing Date: February 16, 2024

Description: $1,500 - $7,000 scholarships (some of which are renewable available to high school seniors with an interest in golf. The Foundation intends to award up to 25% of its scholarships to VSGA employees or children of VSGA employees, but applicants are not required to hold this affiliation. Applicants are required to provide a letter of recommendation from a VSGA representative.


HBCU Week Scholarships

Sponsor: HBCU Week

Amount: Varies

Closing Date: February 16, 2024

Description: Scholarships for students planning to attend an Historically Black College or University (HBCU) as a freshman in college in the 2024-25 school year. Students must have a minimum, unweighted high school GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and be a citizen or legal permanent resident of the United States.

20.  


 City of Fairfax Young Artist Scholarship

Sponsor: City of Fairfax

Amount: $2,000

Closing Date: February 24, 2024

Description: $2,000 cash award for a high school junior or senior enrolled in a northern Virginia high school band or orchestra (or home schooled students who are active and regular participants in a community or youth performing ensemble). Applicant must play a standard band woodwind, brass, or percussion instrument. Applicants are required to submit an audiotape or CD with a prepared selection of readily available in band accompanied form. If selected as a finalist, the applicant must be willing to participate in a competition recital. If ultimately selected as a winner, the applicant must be willing to perform with the City of Fairfax Band.


AMS Scholarship for Underserved Communities

Sponsor: AMS

Amount: $6,000

Closing Date: February 23, 2024

Description: $6,000 scholarship awarded $3,000 for each year (freshman and sophomore years). Open to students who will be freshmen in the Fall of 2024 pursuing a career in the atmospheric and related oceanic or hydrologic sciences. Applicants must have a minimum of GPA of 3.0 of 4.0 scale.



Dr. Bart Kamen FIRST Robotics Competition Scholarship

Sponsor: FIRST

Amount: $10,000

Closing Date: February 25, 2022 at 11:59 PM

Description: $10,000 scholarship open to high school seniors or high school graduates who have not yet begun full-time undergraduate studies at a college or university who have participated in FRC for at least one year. Applicant must have either applied for admission to or been admitted to a full-time undergraduate program in Biomedical Engineering, Pre-Medical Studies, or a program that allows students to pursue a chosen major while simultaneously completing the standard subset of medical school preparatory courses (e.g. Biology, Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry).


The Dream.Us National Scholarship

Sponsor: The Dream.Us

Amount: Up to $33,000 (4-year) or $16,500 (2-year)

Closing Date: February 29, 2024

Description: We think of our National Scholarship as the “Pell Grant” for highly motivated undocumented students who are eligible to receive in-state tuition in their home state (not applicable if attending a private institution) but still have significant, unmet financial need. Applications are open to undocumented immigrant students with or without DACA or TPS who came to the U.S. before the age of 16 and before Nov. 1, 2018. The National Scholarship Award will cover your tuition and fees at one of our Partner Colleges up to a maximum of $33,000 for a bachelor’s degree.

MARCH 2024


Akerson Family Foundation Scholarship

Sponsor: Akerson Family Foundation

Amount: $10,000 (renewable for 4 years/$40,000 total)

Closing Date: March 1, 2024

Description: The Akerson Family Foundation Scholarship is awarded annually to a select group of first-generation, college-bound seniors from Arlington County Public Schools, Alexandria City Public Schools, or Fairfax County Public Schools who demonstrate strong academic skills, financial need, and community/school engagement. Applicant must be a high school senior graduating from Arlington Public Schools, Alexandria City Public Schools, or Fairfax County Public Schools in Spring 2023 with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25 (at end of junior year) and applying for college admission/enrollment in Fall 2023 at any four-year, accredited college/university OR any two-year community college (excluding any for-profit schools). Applicant must be a first-generation college student. For purposes of the AFF scholarship, a first generation student will be defined as a student whose parents have not earned an undergraduate degree in the United States. Applicant must be FAFSA Eligible. Student must have an Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) of no more than $15,000.


NVADACA Scholarship 2024

Sponsor: Northern Virginia Athletic Directors, Administrators, and Coaches Association

Amount: $4,000

Closing Date: March 1, 2024

Deadline: Northern Virginia Athletic Directors, Administrators, and Coaches Association (NVADACA) will award scholarships to deserving students who will graduate from high school in 2024 and have participated in one or more of the scholastic sports listed below. The number of scholarships and amounts will be determined by NVADACA in March. In May 2024, NVADACA awarded 21 scholarships of $4,000 each. Scholarships will be awarded to students whose individual contributions to scholastic sports as well as the school and community can be demonstrated to offer a recognizable impact. Consideration is given to students who have financial needs, have overcome obstacles, and/or experienced unique life experiences. Eligibile students will be graduating from high school in 2024 and have participated in one or more of the following VHSL (Virginia High School League) Sanctioned Sports

  • FALL: Competition Cheer, Sideline Cheer, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Football, Golf, Volleyball. 
  • WINTER: Basketball, Gymnastics, Indoor Track, Swim and Dive, Wrestling. 
  • SPRING: Baseball, Lacrosse, Outdoor Track, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Crew
  • Team Manager
  • Athletic Trainer


Goya Culinary Arts

Amount: $5,000/renewable to $20,000 (five awards)

Closing Date: March 1, 2024

Description: $5,000 scholarship open to high school seniors (including DACA

students) with 3.0+ GPA planning to pursue a 2- or 4-year degree in culinary arts or food sciences.


American Chemistry Society

Sponsor: American Chemistry Society

Amount: $2,500 (renewable)

Closing Date: March 1, 2024

Description: $2,500 renewable scholarships for underrepresented minority students who want to enter chemistry-related fields; open to current high school seniors as

well as college students.


Frame My Future Contest

Sponsor: Church Hill Classics

Amount: varies ($6,000 first prize)

Closing Date: March 1, 2023 – $5,000 contest is open to legal U.S. residents who will be a full-time student at a U.S. college or university in the 2020-2021

academic year. Applicant can choose to share through poetry, photography, ink,

collage, painting, mixed media, or graphic design – as long as it is an

original creation.

 

Air Force Officers Spouses’ Club Scholarship

Sponsor: Air Force Officers Spouses' Club

Amount: varies

Closing Date: March 8, 2024

Description: Merit-based scholarships for eligible US Air Force dependent children who are either graduating high school seniors with a 3.25+ GPA or are

current college students with a 3.0+ GPA.

 

Louis Goaziou Lodge #1953 Scholarship Program*

Deadline: March 3, 2024

Amount: $500

Description: The Louis Goaziou Lodge #1953 Scholarship Program is open to all high school seniors currently enrolled in a Washington, DC, or surrounding metro area high school in the 2023-24 school year who are planning to attend an accredited U.S. college or other educational program starting in the 2024-25 school year. Applicants must take and pass a quiz about Freemasonry in the history of the United States and today.


Student Veteran Scholarships

Sponsor: Student Veterans of America

Amount: varies

Closing Dates: March 5, 2024

Description: Several scholarships for student veterans to pursue education in many areas.


American Foreign Service Association Merit Scholarship

Sponsor: American Foreign Service Association

Amount: $3,500

Closing Date: March 11, 2024 - April 1, 2024

Description: The AFSA Scholarship Fund offers one-time only, competitive merit awards to high school seniors graduating in 2023 that are children of U.S. Foreign Service employees who have at least one parent as an AFSA member. For complete details go to www.afsa.org/scholar.


Essay Award - requires students to submit: 

·        various sections of the application.

·        a high school transcript showing information from all four years (a minimum 3.00 GPA required).

·        a letter of recommendation.

·        a 500-word essay

·        $3,500 top prizes and $1,000 honorable mention prize for best essay are bestowed.


Art Merit Award - requires students to submit:

·        various sections of the application.

·        a high school transcript showing information for all four years (a minimum 2.75 GPA is required).

·        a letter of recommendation.

·        a 500-word essay. 

·        between 2-5 art pieces according to the instructions found later in the Art Merit Application. Students can only submit under one of the following categories: Creative Writing, Musical Arts, Performing Arts, or Visual Arts.

·        One $3,500 top prize and several $2,000 honorable mention awards are bestowed.


Community Service Award - requires students to submit information describing up to three substantive community service activities. One $3,500 award and several $2,000 honorable mention awards are bestowed.


Doodle for Google Competition

Sponsor: Google

Amount: up to $30,000 ($50,000 for the school)

Closing Date: March 14, 2024

Description: Use your imagination to create a Google Doodle based on how you see the future. We're excited to see some great Doodles this year! Students can work with any materials, but all Doodles must be entered using the entry form. Parents and teachers can mail us the completed entry form or submit it online as a png or jpg. The contest is open for entries until March 14, 2024 11:59 p.m. PST.

 

The Leslie V. Forte Scholarship Fund

Sponsor: The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia

Amount: $2,000

Closing Date: March 14, 2024

Description: $2,000 scholarship for a full-time, minority student currently enrolled at Northern Virginia Community College. Applicant must have a GPA 2.5 or higher.


The Elizabeth Koury Scholarship

Sponsor: The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia

Amount: $5,000

Closing Date: March 14, 2024

Description: $5,000 renewable scholarship for Northern Virginia high school seniors who plan to enter the field of medicine. Must have demonstrated financial need and enroll in college full-time 


The Rose Koury Scholarship

Sponsor: The Community Foundation for Norther Virginia

Amount: $5,000

Closing Date: March 14, 2024

Description: $5,000 renewable scholarship for Northern Virginia high school seniors who plan to enter the field of early childhood education. Must have demonstrated financial need and enroll in college full-time

 

The Vance 5, Inc. Scholarship

Sponsor: The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia

Amount: varies

Closing Date: March 14, 2024

Description: $500-$2000 scholarships for a Northern Virginia student with a 2.5 or higher GPA pursuing a career in law enforcement or security, including the administration of justice.

 

Ashworth Grogan Scholarship

Sponsor: The Community Foundation for Northern Virginia

Amount: $5,000

Closing Date: March 14, 2024

Description: $5,000 scholarship open to current high school seniors from Northern Virginia and current NOVA students with a 2.5+ GPA.


AMS Opportunity Scholarship Fund

Sponsor: The Communiuty Foundation for Northern Virginia

Amount: 2,500

Closing Date: March 14, 2024

Description: Sponsored by the former executives and employees of American Management Systems, Inc. (AMS), the AMS Opportunity Scholarship Fund is an endowed fund that provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors in Northern Virginia.


Virginia Council on Women STEAM-H Essay Contest

Sponsor: Virginia Council on Women

Deadline: March 15, 2024 (not open yet)

Description: Essay contest open to Virginia high school seniors (or homeschool equivalent) who identify as women. GPA minimum is 2.5 for students applying for need-based scholarships and 3.0 for students applying for merit-based scholarships. Applicants should be planning to attend an institution of higher education (to include but not limited to a community college, four-year college or university, trade or technical school, or certificate program).


USDA 1890 Land Grant Scholarship

Sponsor: United States Department of Agriculture

Amount: Varies

Deadline: March 15, 2024

Description: The USDA 1890 National Scholars Program is aimed at bolstering educational and career opportunities for students from rural or underserved communities around the country. USDA 1890 National Scholars are required to study one of the following disciplines: Agriculture, Agricultural Business/Management, Agricultural Economics, Agricultural Engineering/Mechanics, Agricultural Production and Technology, Agronomy or Crop Science, Animal Sciences, Botany, Food Sciences/Technology, Forestry and Related Sciences, Home Economics/Nutrition,

Horticulture, Natural Resources Management, Natural Resources Management, Soil Conservation/Soil Science, Farm and Range Management, Other related disciplines, (e.g. non-medical biological sciences, pre-veterinary medicine, computer science). The scholarship provides recipients with full tuition, fees, books, room and board. Scholars attend one of the 1890 land-grant universities and pursue degrees in agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or related academic disciplines. The scholarship may also include work experience at USDA.  To be eligible for the USDA/1890 National Scholars Program scholarship, a student must: be a U.S. citizen, have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better (on a 4.0 scale), have a minimum of 21 ACT, 1080 SAT scores, have been accepted for admission or currently attending one of the nineteen 1890 Historically Black Land-Grant Universities, be planning to study agriculture, food, natural resource sciences, or other related academic disciplines, demonstrate leadership and community service, submit an official transcript with the school seal and an authorized official's signature, submit at least 2 letters of reference, submit completed application.


Army Spouses' Club of the Greater Washington Area Scholarship

Sponsor: Army Spouses' Club of the Greater Washington Area

Amount: $2,000

Closing Date: March 15, 2023

Description: Each year ASCGWA awards merit-based scholarships to high school graduating seniors, college students, and military spouses living in the National Capital Region. Scholarships are awarded in three categories: High School Senior, College Student, and Member/Spouse. During the application period, application forms and eligibility requirements can be found on our ASCGWA website: www.armyspousesclub.org. Applicants or applicant’s parents or spouses must be an active member of ASCGWA prior to November 30, 2022, before the application is submitted.


Animal Welfare Institute Scholarship

Sponsor: Animal Welfare Institute

Amount: $2,000

Deadline: March 16, 2024

Description: $2,000 scholarships available to high school seniors with a demonstrated commitment to animal welfare. Applicants will be asked to provide four essays and two letters of recommendation (one of which should come from a reference who is able to verify your involvement in advocating for or working with animals).


Religious Liberty Essay Contest

Sponsor: Baptist Joint Committee

Amount: $2,000

Closing Date: March 15, 2024

Description: Submit an original essay OR an original TikTok-style video in response to the following by March 15: Book bans are sweeping the United States, and they have significant implications for religious freedom. Attempts to censor books are often justified with religious appeals for why no one should read the book. The American Library Association’s Office for Intellectual Freedom documented more demands to censor library books and resources in 2022 than any year since they began compiling data more than 20 years ago. In an essay or TikTok-style video, illuminate the connection between Christian nationalism and book bans in the United States.



Cooley-Moore Scholarship

Sponsor: Ivy Foundation of Northern Virginia, Incorporated

Amount: $4,000/renewable/ or one-time $4,000 stipend/or other stipends

Closing Date: March 22, 2024

Description: This award is for high school seniors attending high schools in Arlington and Alexandria, VA, and may be used at an accredited two or four-year college or university. The recipient will be selected based upon a combination of the following criteria: Academic achievement, Financial need, Contribution to school and community, Acceptance to an accredited two or four-year college or university, Letters of recommendation. ALL INFORMATION MUST BE SENT AS A PACKAGE TO THE SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN

AT THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS AND POSTMARKED BY MARCH 22, 2024


Virginia PTA/PTSA Scholarship

Sponsor: Virginia PTA

Amount: $500

Closing Date: March 30, 2024

Description: $500 scholarship open to high school seniors with 2.5+ GPA, commitment to community service, and financial need. Students must be a member of a local unit PTA/PTSA in good standing. Awards available in several categories.


CommonWealth One Kathryn Coleman Scholarships

Sponsor: CommonWealthOne

Amount: $2,500

March 31, 2024

Description: Two $2,500 scholarships open to current college students and high school seniors who are members of CommonWealth One Federal Credit Union.


Automotive Aftermarket Scholarship

Sponsor: University of the Aftermarket Foundation

Amount: varies

Closing Date: March 31, 2024

Description: Scholarship for high school seniors and current college students planning a career in the automotive industry. 


Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Scholarships

Sponsor: Congressional Black Caucus/Congressional Black Caucus Spouses Foundations

Amount: Varies

Closing Date: varies (March 15-April 28, 2023)

Description: Find descriptions and requirements for all Scholarships at: https://www.cbcfinc.org/programs/scholarships/.


 ADDITIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES

Going Merry: Scholarship Portal for Alexandria City High School students

Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund: Scholarship Portal for college-bound students

United Negro College Fund: Various scholarships available for college-bound African-American students

FastWeb: Scholarship search engine

Vocational and Academic Scholarships for BIPOC Students: Information for BIPOC students regarding vocational and academic programs

The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria

Scholarships change lives forever.

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