Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes

November 19, 2012

Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes honors outstanding young leaders who have made a significant positive difference to people and our planet. Nominees, who may range in age from 8 to 18 years old, must have been the prime mover of a service activity, and demonstrated positive spirit and high moral purpose in accomplishing their goals. Nominees must be nominated by responsible adults who have solid knowledge of the young person’s heroic activities, and who are not related to the nominee. Winners of the Barron Prize receive:

  • $2,500 to be applied to their higher education or to their service project
  • a recognition plaque
  • a certificate of recognition
  • a signed copy of The Hero’s Trail, by Barron Prize founder T.A. Barron
  • a copy of Dream Big, our new documentary film featuring several Barron Prize winners
  • a heroes study guide, curriculum, and bibliography
  • the opportunity to be paired with an adult mentor who is passionate about and working in the winner’s area of interest
  • the opportunity to connect with other Barron Prize winners through the Young Heroes Listserv
  • numerous media opportunities – print, television, and radio

By submitting an entry in the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, each entrant acknowledges reading and understanding all the eligibility requirements and selection criteria published on the Prize’s website and agrees to observe them. Further, each entrant acknowledges and agrees that as a condition of receiving the Prize, the selected individual will cooperate in publicizing the Barron Prize and will grant rights in the entrant’s nomination materials to the Barron Prize.

April 30th: *NOMINATION DEADLINE* The Prize must receive completed nomination materials.

July 1st: The Prize will notify nominees that materials have been processed.

September 30th: The Prize will announce winners.

Jesse Brown Scholarship

November 19, 2012

In memory of the late Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Jesse Brown, the Disabled American Veterans has established the Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program. Mr. Jesse Brown enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1963. Two years later, while on patrol in the DaNang area of Vietnam, Mr. Brown sustained a serious injury due to a gunshot wound while engaged in combat. From that point and over the next 39 years, the lives of millions of veterans changed for the better. Mr. Brown devoted himself to the cause of building better lives for America’s disabled veterans.

Mr. Brown joined the Disabled American Veterans professional staff in 1967 as a National Service Officer in Chicago, Il. He moved to Washington, DC in 1973 to supervise the DAV’s National Service Office. In 1976, he was promoted to Supervisor of the DAV National Appeals Office at the Board of Veterans Appeals. In 1981, Jesse was appointed to join the National Service and Legislative Headquarters staff as the Chief of Claims.

In 1983, he was named Deputy National Service Director and later served as Executive Assistant to the National Adjutant. Ultimately, Mr. Brown served the DAV as Executive Director of the National Service and Legislative Headquarters in Washington, DC.

In January 1993, Mr. Brown was appointed by President Clinton to serve as Secretary of Veterans Affairs. Mr. Brown was so committed to the cause of veterans that he earned a new title, he was simply known as the Secretary for Veterans Affairs. In December 1996, President Clinton reappointed Mr. Brown to serve a second four-year term. Mr. Brown resigned as Secretary of Veterans Affairs in July 1997 and began his personal battle with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. Jesse died in August 2002.

The Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program encourages young volunteers to play active roles in the Department of Veterans Affairs Voluntary Service (VAVS) programs. It recognizes outstanding young volunteers who give of their time by awarding annual scholarships that may be used to continue their education. The Disabled American Veterans has awarded 123 scholarships worth $450,066 since the inception of the Jesse Brown Memorial Youth Scholarship Program in 2000.

  • Scholarships can be awarded to any volunteer who is age 21 or younger and has volunteered for a minimum of 100 hours at a VA medical center during the previous calendar year. All volunteer hours must be credited to the Disabled American Veterans.
  • Volunteer hours accumulated under the DAV’s Local Veterans Assistance Program (LVAP) are also eligible for consideration.
  • Scholarships can be used at any accredited institution of higher learning; to include universities, colleges, community colleges, vocational schools, etc.
  • Scholarships must be utilized in full prior to the recipient attaining the age of 25, or within 6 years of receiving the scholarship, whichever is later.
  • Immediate family members of the DAV national organization are eligible to receive a scholarship.
  • Nominations for this award may be submitted by the Voluntary Service Program Manager at the VA medical center, DAV Department Commander, or the student may complete a self-nomination form which is available on-line. If you are submitting your own nomination, please include an essay discussing “What volunteering at a VA medical center means to you.” (Essay should be 750 words or less).
  • All nomination packets should include a nomination form, essay, and any supporting documentation which you would like to have considered by the Selection Committee.

Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship

November 19, 2012

Every year, Comcast and the Comcast Foundation ask High School Principals and Guidance Counselors to collaborate in identifying the best and the brightest high school seniors in their communities. Why? Because we want to motivate young people to achieve their potential, to be involved in their schools, and to be catalysts for positive change in their communities. The Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program recognizes students who exemplify these ideals – and who serve as models for their fellow students. We know it’s not easy to be a kid today, and every bit of encouragement helps. That’s why we award recipients a one-time grant of $1,000 to be used toward their pursuit of higher education. Since 2001, the program has recognized more than 17,000 students around the country-and given away more than $17.4 million in scholarship grants.

The Comcast Leaders and Achievers Philosophy:

  • To give young people – the leaders who will build and shape our communities – every opportunity to be prepared for the future.
  • To engage youth in their communities and help them increase their self-esteem, develop a sense of citizenship and an ethic of service, and become stronger leaders.
  • To demonstrate the importance of civic involvement, and the value placed on civic involvement by the business community.

Nomination/Application Process

All nominations for the Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Program must be made exclusively by the Principal or Guidance Counselor. Principals and home-school instructors may e-mail comcast@applyists.com to verify school eligibility status and to request program materials.

A student nominated by a Principal or Guidance Counselor must:

  • be a full-time high school senior
  • demonstrate a strong commitment to community service and display leadership abilities in school activities or through work experience
  • have a grade point average of 2.8 or higher.

Nomination deadline is December of each year.

 

AXA Equitable Achievement Scholarship

November 19, 2012

The AXA Achievementsm Scholarship in association with U.S. News & World Report provides $670,000 in annual scholarships to young people throughout the nation.

Apply online.

APPLY EARLY:  only the first 10,000 applications will be accepted.

The application deadline is December 1 of each year, but if 10,000 applications are received before that date, the program will automatically close.

Winners on the State and National levels

State Winners

Fifty-two winners – one from each state, the District of Colombia and Puerto Rico – are selected by our nonprofit partner, Scholarship America, to receive one-time scholarship awards of $10,000 each.

National Winners

From the pool of 52 state winners, ten are selected as national winners and earn an additional one-time scholarship of $15,000. This brings the top AXA Achievers total scholarship awards to $25,000 each.

Our scholarships winners are known as AXA Achievers. They are ethnically and economically diverse, but they share these qualities:

  • Ambition and drive
  • Determination to set and reach goals
  • Respect for self, family and community
  • Ability to succeed in college

The National Beta Club Scholarships

November 19, 2012

National Scholarships

The National Beta Club Scholarship Program offers over $250,000 in scholarships to outstanding Beta Club members in their senior year. Over 200 scholarships are awarded each year. They range in value from $1,000 to $15,000.

Eligibility Requirements

Senior high school students who are active National Beta Club members and duly registered with the national headquarters as of June 30 prior to their senior year may be nominated by their Beta Club chapter to participate in the scholarship competition.

Selection Criteria

Selection of National Beta Club Scholarship winners is based on a number of factors with special emphasis on academic excellence, demonstrated leadership, commendable character, school and community service, and participation in National Beta Club activities.

 

Samsung American Legion Scholarship

November 19, 2012

Worldwide electronics leader Samsung endowed a scholarship fund of $5 million to be administered by The American Legion in 1996. Meant to show appreciation for U.S. veterans who came to Korea’s aid during its struggle against communist forces in the Korean War, the Samsung American Legion Scholarship Program established a series of scholarships derived from interest and other income from the principal amount. As of 2023 the Samsung American Legion Scholarship has awarded more than $7.2 million in college scholarships to 2,422 recipients since its inception in 1996.

FAQ – Samsung American Legion Application

Deadline

Scholarship applicants must complete and submit their online application prior to 11:59 (local time) of Day 1 of their respective American Legion Boys State or American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program. All applications must be submitted using the online application system and may not be modified after the due date or given a deadline extension under any circumstance.

Participants should check their individual program coordinator as to whether or not the coordinator desires them to bring a hard copy of their submitted application materials. If a hard copy is required, participants will need to complete their application PRIOR to arrival at their respective program.

Award Amounts

Samsung scholarships may be used for undergraduate studies and applied toward tuition, books, fees, and room and board. Winners are selected according to academic record, involvement in school and community service.

  • Ten National Scholars receive $10,000 each (two from each region)
  • Ten National Runners-Up receive $5,000 each (two from each region)
  • Remaining Department Finalists receive $1,250 each guaranteed

Eligibility

Scholarship applications are limited to students between their junior and senior years of high school who attend the current session of either an American Legion Boys State or American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program and are a direct descendant – i.e. child, grandchild, great grandchild, etc. Stepchildren and legally adopted children are considered direct descendants of a wartime U.S. military veteran who served on active duty during at least one of the periods of war officially designated as eligibility dates for American Legion membership.

Applicants who are direct descendants of Korean War Era Veterans will receive three bonus points.

Proof of Service Documentation

ACCEPTABLE

  • Form DD214 (Official discharge certificate)
  • Official “Honorable Discharge” certificate
  • Form DD1300 (Official military death certificate)
  • Official record of burial in a military cemetery issued by the National Cemetery Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs
  • Current or former military ID card
  • Current or former LES (Leave and Earnings Statement)
  • Official logbook entries from a military unit
  • ANY OTHER DOCUMENT LISTED ON THE “Military Service Verification Documents List” (Linked below)

UNACCEPTABLE

  • Any otherwise “acceptable” document that is illegible
  • Obituaries
  • Pictures of military headstones
  • Pictures of service members in uniform
  • Entries in non-military and/or non-official records or books
  • Membership cards from veterans organizations
  • VA Healthcare Cards
  • Selective Service Registration Card

For more information

The following locations may be of assistance for locating military documents.

  • Many certificates of discharge prior to 1979 do not appear to be “official” documents as many were typed onto a sheet of paper. If you are unsure if it is an official document, please ask your American Legion service officer. Department Service Officers are listed by state at https://mylegion.org/PersonifyEbusiness/Find-a-Service-Officer.
  • The National Archives and Records Administration: http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/index.html
  • The County Clerk and Recorders Office where the veteran resided.
  • The funeral home may have kept a copy if military honors were provided.
  • Monument company if VA headstone or marker was ordered.
  • If the veteran had utilized a VA Home Loan there may be a copy of the DD214 with the title documentation.
  • Veterans who have signed up for EBENEFITS through the Veterans Administration may be able to obtain a printable copy from https://www.ebenefits.va.gov/ebenefits-portal/ebenefits.portal
  • The State Director of Veterans Affairs may have received a copy of the veterans DD214 at the time of discharge from military service. This will be specific to the state in which the veterans home of record.
  • The State Director of Veterans Affairs may have received a copy of the veterans DD214 at the time of discharge from military service. This will be specific to the state in which the veterans home of record.
  • You should utilize your Boys State or Girls State point of contact. The point of contact information is listed in the delegate packet or can be found at https://www.legion.org/boysnation/websites. The VA are also qualified for verification of acceptable documents. Do not contact The American Legion National Headquarters in the Americanism Division as they are not qualified to verify legal documents.

CONTACT SCHOLARSHIPS for all other general questions not in the FAQ and not military document/verification related.

For more information:

scholarships@legion.org

 

National Baptist Convention Scholarship Program

November 19, 2012

Scholarship Program

Scholarship Program


Scholarship Guidelines

  1. Applications for the Scholarship are available each year at the National Baptist Congress of Christian Education
  2. The criteria are provided in the National Baptist Scholarship Application Packet
  3. The Scholarship Committee will evaluate each State applicant based on the criteria outlined in this application packet.  E.valuation points will be assigned as follows: application (5) academic GPA (10) academic curriculum (10) church participation (15) community participation (5) content of recommendations (5), essay (50).
  4. Each State Congress may submit one applicant to the National Scholarship Commission.
  5. All applications must be typed and submitted in the original format. (emailed or faxed copies will not be accepted)
  6. The award will consist of a five thousand dollar ($5,000) scholarship; one for each applicant from each of the five regions of the National Baptist Convention as submitted. If there is no applicant from one of the regions, the funds will be divided in a prorated manner.
  7. A scholarship will be awarded to a student in the name of the National Baptist Convention President, Dr. Julius R. Scruggs and an additional one in the name of the Congress President Dr. George W. Waddles; all others will be awarded in the name of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.

The scholarship deadline for submission to the local District President is in September and the final application must be submitted by December 15.

 

The American Legion Oratorical Contest

November 19, 2012

“A constitutional speech contest”

The American Legion Oratorical Contest exists to develop deeper knowledge and appreciation for the U.S. Constitution among high school students. Since 1938, the program has presented participants with an academic speaking challenge that teaches important leadership qualities, the history of our nation’s laws, the ability to think and speak clearly, and an understanding of the duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges of American citizenship. The program has featured numerous politicians and prominent contestants over the years, including former president candidate Alan Keyes and CNN anchor Lou Dobbs.

Young orators earn some of the most generous college scholarships available to high school students. Over $138,000 in scholarships can be awarded each year. The overall national contest winner gets an $18,000 scholarship. Second place takes home $16,000, and third gets $14,000. Each department (state) winner who is certified into and participates in the national contest’s first round receives a $1,500 scholarship. Those who advance past the first round receive an additional $1,500 scholarship. The American Legion’s National Organization awards the scholarships, which can be used at any college or university in the United States.

High school students under age 20 are eligible. Competition begins at the post level and advances to a state competition. Legion department representatives certify one winner per state to the national contest, where department winners compete against each other in two speaking rounds. The contest caps off with a final round that decides the three top finishers.

Speaking subjects must be on some aspect of the U.S. Constitution, with some emphasis on the duties and obligations of citizens to our government. Speeches are eight to 10 minutes long; three- to five-minute speeches on an assigned topic also are part of the contest.

For more information:
oratorical@legion.org

 

Ayn Rand Fountainhead Essay Contest

November 19, 2012

The Fountainhead Essay Contest Information

Eligibility: 11th and 12th Graders

Entry Deadline: April

FIRST PRIZE: $10,000
5 SECOND PRIZES: $2,000
10 THIRD PRIZES: $1,000
45 FINALISTS: $100
175 SEMIFINALISTS: $50

Judging

Essays will be judged on both style and content. Judges will look for writing that is clear, articulate and logically organized. Winning essays must demonstrate an outstanding grasp of the philosophic meaning of The Fountainhead.

Essay submissions are evaluated in a fair and unbiased four-round judging process. Judges are individually selected by the Ayn Rand Institute based on a demonstrated knowledge and understanding of Ayn Rand’s works. To ensure the anonymity of our participants, essay cover sheets are removed after the first round. Winners’ names are unknown to judges until after essays have been ranked and the contest results finalized. The Ayn Rand Institute checks essays with Ithenticate plagiarism detection software.

Click here for more information…

Congressional Hispanic Caucus Scholarships

November 19, 2012

CHCI Scholarship Program Description
CHCI’s scholarship opportunities are afforded to Latino students in the United States who have a history of performing public service-oriented activities in their communities and who demonstrate a desire to continue their civic engagement in the future. There is no GPA or academic major requirement. Students with excellent leadership potential are encouraged to apply.

CHCI scholarships provide recipients with a one time scholarship of:

  • $1,000 to pursue an associate degree
  • $2,500 to pursue an undergraduate degree
  • $5,000 to pursue graduate-level study

Scholarship awards are intended to provide assistance with tuition, room and board, textbooks, and other educational expenses associated with college enrollment.

In an effort to ensure the progress of scholarship recipients and encourage completion of the postsecondary program, each associate and undergraduate level scholarship award is divided over the number of years required for graduation (i.e. a $2,500 scholarship for a college freshman will be distributed in four equal installments of $625 a year).

Students continue to receive annual disbursements as long as they maintain good academic standing. CHCI manages the disbursement of the scholarships; an annual check is sent directly to recipients.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Full-time enrollment in a United States Department of Education accredited community college, four-year university, or graduate/professional program during the period for which scholarship is requested
  • Demonstrated financial need
  • Consistent, active participation in public and/or community service activities
  • Strong writing skills
  • Applicants must be U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, asylees, or individuals who are lawfully authorized to work full-time without restriction for any U.S. employerand who, at the time of application, possess lawful evidence of employment authorization.