Scholarship Fund January Scholarship Opportunity List is NOW AVAILABLE

Posted on by SFA

                                                  Scholarship Fund Director of College Advising Margaret Feldman joined 2017
                                                   Scholarship Recipients for an Alumni Luncheon at T.C. Williams.

Dear ACPS Students, Families, and Alumni,

Happy New Year! The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria office is open from 8am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday. Please feel free to stop by and see me in room A-115 (grades 11-12) or Ms. Osei in room A-121 (grades 6-10) for assistance with college, career, or financial aid planning. We look forward to meeting you and supporting your college dreams!

TC ALUMNI:

  • Don’t forget to renew your FAFSA! – It is  time to submit your FAFSA for next school year! Feel free to stop by the Scholarship Fund office for assistance over your winter break. We’d love to hear about your fall semester & help you renew your financial aid.
  • Transferring? – For many of you it is time to start thinking about transferring from NOVA to a 4-year school.  I’d be more than happy to assist with narrowing down your list of schools, editing essays, navigating the Guaranteed Admissions Agreements with Virginia colleges, etc.
  • Graduating? – Class of 2014, I can’t believe your college graduation is almost here! If you need help brushing up your résumé, writing cover letters, preparing for job interviews, or completing grad school applications, please know that you can still reach out to me for help!

SENIORS:

  • Don’t forget to submit the FAFSA as soon as possible! – It is critical that every senior submit the FAFSA immediately to qualify for free money from the federal government, the state of Virginia, and colleges.  Even if students are not sure whether or not they plan to attend college, they should complete the FAFSA as soon as possible to keep their options open!

    Some priority financial aid deadlines have already passed, so students should submit the FAFSA ASAP to maximize the financial aid they will receive!

    FAFSA does not require essays or consider students’ grades. Most students receiving free or reduced price lunch will qualify for the Pell Grant – $5,920 of free money to help them pay for school!  Even if a student does not receive free or reduced price lunch, he/she may still be eligible to receive thousands in state and institutional aid.  Every family should spend a half hour filling out the FAFSA to see what they might qualify for!  Please plan to attend January 23rd workshop (below) or contact Ms. Feldman in A-115 with any questions at [email protected] or (703) 824-6730!

  • Scholarship Fund of Alexandria Application and FAFSA Workshops on Tuesday, January 23rd from 3:15-5:15pm! – The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria deadline is coming up February 5th!  SFA is just for TC seniors – 50% of applicants received a scholarship last year, and SFA awarded a total of $410,000 to the class of 2017! Go to www.AlexScholarshipFund.org to begin filling out your application, stop by room A-121 or A-115 with any questions, and plan to attend SFA’s Application and/or FAFSA Workshop on Tuesday, January 23rd from 3:15-5:15pm in rooms C-206 and C-204.

    In C-206, SFA staff will offer a brief presentation on our scholarship selection process at 3:15pm, and then students will have time to work on their applications and brainstorm essays with the help of SFA staff members. In C-204, families will be able to complete the FAFSA with free, confidential assistance from financial aid professionals.  Free interpretation and snacks provided with FACE Center registration. Please contact Maria Redwine with any questions at [email protected] or (703) 824-6730.

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS:

  • Transition to High School Planning Night on Wednesday, January 24th at 6pm! – This event is a chance for all ACPS 8th grade families to learn about what steps to take in 9th grade to start high school off on the right foot with academics and extracurriculars – helping students to lay a strong foundation for college readiness. Come to the cafeteria at Minnie Howard at 6pm on January 24th to enjoy a free pizza dinner and also information session about the new George Washington University and ACPS Academy of Health Sciences partnership. At 6:30pm, we’ll head into the auditorium to learn about classes to take in 9th grade, steps to take now to be college-ready, and how to access college-planning resources at T.C. Williams.  Free interpretation and childcare will be provided with FACE Center registration. Please contact Abigail Osei with any questions at [email protected] or (703) 824-6730.
  • Aspire Higher after-school club every Thursday at Hammond – Come to Aspire Higher club after school on Thursdays in room D-206. At Aspire Higher, we will explore different college and career options, talk about how to get free money for college, and how to be successful in middle school and beyond. You will also meet with T.C. Williams High School graduates and chat with them about their college and career experiences. It’s never too early to start thinking and planning for high school and college, so come with your friends and check out Aspire Higher! Please contact Abigail Osei with any questions at [email protected] or (703) 824-6730.

Below is a list of upcoming scholarships.  Local scholarships are indicated by pink text.

January

  1. Ron Brown – January 9, 2018 – Open to African-American high school seniors who excel academically, exhibit exceptional leadership potential, participate in community service activities, and demonstrate financial need. US citizens or permanent residents only. Renewable scholarship awarding $10,000 per year
  2. Fund for Education Abroad – January 10, 2018 – $5,000 – $10,000 scholarship for current college students intending to pursue study abroad opportunities
  3. APIASF – January 11, 2018 – $2,500 – $20,000 scholarship open to students of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity with GPA of 2.7+
  4. Virginia Daughters of the American Revolution – January 12, 2018 – $1,500 to $2,500 scholarships open to Virginia high school seniors who plan to enroll an an in-state college
  5. Dell Scholars – January 15, 2018 – $20,000 scholarship open to AVID seniors with a 2.4+ GPA
  6. Washington Crossing Scholarship – January 15, 2018 – Up to $5,000 scholarship for high school seniors planning careers in government service
  7. Hurst AACN Scholarship – January 15, 2018 – $2,500 scholarship open to current college students studying nursing at an AACN member institutions
  8. Architecture Diversity Scholarship – January 17, 2018 – $20,000 scholarship open to high school seniors and current college freshmen planning to study architecture
  9. Tom Joyner HBCU Scholarship – January 19, 2018 – 4-year, full-ride scholarship to an HBCU; open to students with 3.5 GPA or higher; minimum 1400/30 SAT/ACT score
  10. NOVA Oratorical Scholarship – January 19, 2018 – Open to African American high school seniors with 2.5+ GPA
  11. C-SPAN’S Student Cam – January 20, 2018 – “The Constitution & You” film contest open to 6-12 grade students; prizes up to $5,000
  12. Girls Impact the World Film Festival Scholarship – January 20, 2018 – Film contest on critical issues facing women; open to 8 grade-college students; prizes up to $5,000
  13. Coolidge Scholarship – January 24, 2018 – 4-year, full-ride scholarship open to high school juniors who have excelled academically, exhibit an interest in public policy and commitment to service
  14. Wayne V Black Scholarship – January 26, 2018 – $5,000 scholarship for current college student studying Pre-law, political science, or STEM
  15. The Point Foundation – January 29, 2018 – Open to high school seniors and current college students (including undocumented students) who identify with and work for the betterment of the LGBTQ community
  16. Princeton Prize In Race Relations – January 31, 2018 – $1,000 scholarship and all-expense paid trip to a national symposium on race relations at Princeton University; open to 9-12 grade students in the Washington, DC area who participate in volunteer activities to improve race relations
  17. I Have a Dream Scholarship – January 31, 2018 – $1,500 scholarship open to students age 13+ who write a 250 word essay on what they dream about
  18. Beauty Schools Scholarship – January 31, 2018 – $2,500 scholarship open to students interested in cosmetology or barbering
  19. Redfin Scholarship – January 31, 2018 – $2,500 essay scholarship on technology and big data disrupting everyday life; open to high school seniors and current college students with 3.5+ GPA

February

  1. The Purpose Challenge – February 1, 2018 – $25,000 essay contest open to current high school seniors
  2. Gloria Wille Belle Scholarship – February 1, 2018 – Open to current high school seniors from Virginia planning to attend University of Michigan, Ann Arbor to study STEM
  3. Stacey Scholarship – February 1, 2018 – $5,000 scholarship open to students age 18-35 pursuing a profession in the arts
  4. Significant Challenge Scholarship – February 1, 2018 – Open to high school seniors with 3.4+ GPA who have taken challenging courses and exhibited leadership
  5. Wings Over America Scholarship – February 1, 2018 – Open to current high school and college students whose parents served (or are currently serving) in the US Navy in an aviation command  (squadron, naval air station, carrier, etc.)
  6. Nancy B. Reese Memorial Fund – February 1, 2018 – $5,000 scholarship for graduates for Virginia high schools ($5 fee to apply)
  7. Bart Kamen FIRST Robotics Competition Scholarship – February 1, 2018 – $10,000 scholarship open to high school seniors who have participated in FRC for at least one year and who plan to take biology, physics, chemistry and organic chemistry courses in college
  8. Sunflower Initiative – February 1, 2018 – $10,000 scholarship open to high school seniors with 3.7+ GPA desiring to attend a women’s college
  9. Jackie Robinson Foundation – February 1, 2018 – Open to minority high school seniors with financial need, leadership potential, and community service experience; applicants must have minimum SAT score of 1000 or a composite ACT score of 21
  10. Northern VA Urban League – February 2, 2018 – $5,000 scholarship open to African American northern Virginia high school seniors with 3.5+ GPA
  11. Lee-Jackson – February 2, 2018 – Open to current high school juniors and seniors in Virginia. Scholarships are given for outstanding, original, analytical essays on any aspect—positive or negative—of the career, character, or legacy of General Robert E. Lee and/or General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson
  12. AMS Scholarship – February 2, 2018 – Open to high school seniors and current college students pursuing a career in the atmospheric and related oceanic or hydrologic sciences
  13. Scholarship Fund of Alexandria – February 5, 2018 – Renewable scholarship just for TC Williams seniors!  Merit and need based awards available, ranging from $500 – $6,000 per year of college. More than 50% of applicants win! 
  14. Ronald McDonald Scholarship – February 5, 2018 –  Open to high school seniors with 2.7+ GPA who has at least one parent of Hispanic heritage
  15. Microsoft Scholarship – February 9, 2018 – Open to current college students with 3.0+ GPA studying STEM
  16. Fairfax Young Artist Scholarship – February 9, 2018 – $2,000 cash award for a high school junior or senior enrolled in a northern Virginia high school band or orchestra
  17. Davidson Fellows – February 14, 2018 – $50,000, $25,000 and $10,000 scholarships for students 18 and under who have completed a significant piece of work.  Application categories are Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, Literature, Music, Philosophy and Outside the Box
  18. Jashemski Scholarship – February 15, 2018 – Open to students in the DC area, age 17-25, with 3.5+ GPA and significant religious commitment as evidenced by formal membership in a religious body, regular participation in its worship life, and active involvement in its service ministry. Financial need based award up to $10,000
  19. Apple Federal Credit Union Scholarship – February 15, 2018 – $5,000 scholarship for seniors with 2.5+ GPA who are members of Apple Federal Credit Union
  20. Goya Culinary Arts – February 15, 2018 – $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
  21. NVADACA – February 17, 2017 – $3,000 scholarship open to northern Virginia high school seniors who have participated in a sport
  22. Virginia State Golf Association Scholarship – February 21, 2018 – Open to Virginia high school seniors who play golf
  23. Asian Pacific Fund – February 23, 2018 – The Asian Pacific Fund administers 13 scholarship programs open to both high school seniors and current college students with 3.0+ GPA
  24. Old Town Alexandria Connections Scholarship – February 28, 2018 – Open to Alexandria high school seniors who display an understanding of the responsibility business leaders owe the community in which they work
  25. DCNNOA Scholarship – February 28, 2018 – $1,000 scholarship open to minority youth from the DC area who exhibit academic achievement, positive community involvement, commitment, and financial need
  26. Absolutely Outdoorsy Scholarship – February 28, 2018 – $1,000 essay contest on what makes a great road trip open to high school seniors and current college students

Monthly Drawings

Have a wonderful January, and please feel free to contact me with any questions!  Stop by room A-115 for help with any of the following:

  • Scholarships and financial aid
  • Finding a good college fit
  • Writing college and scholarship essays
  • SAT/ACT preparation
  • Building a résumé
  • Financial aid options for undocumented students
  • Completing the Scholarship Fund Application

Best,
Ms. Feldman