Don’t forget to go to www.fastweb.com for the largest database of scholarships nationally. This is a free website.

THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP OF SEEKING FINANCIAL AID is to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form. For more information, go to www.fafsa.ed.gov.

Newly received scholarship opportunities have an *:

Richland Foundation Scholarships There are a large number of scholarships available through the Richland Community College Foundation. Application forms are available in the guidance office and due to Richland by April 11. Mrs. Young will take any scholarship applications completed by April 9 and turned in to her TO the RCC campus for you. There are scholarships for various majors, for those in Macon County, for sons/daughters of various employers… anyone going to RCC next fall should fill out an application form!!! Deadline: April 11, 2008.

Richland Community College Trustees Scholarships Any Richland district student who earns a 4.385 or higher GPA (on a 5.0 scale) is eligible to receive a Trustees’ Scholarship, which pays for two years (four semesters) of college classes at Richland. You MUST fill out the RCC application to receive the scholarship. In addition, even though you will win the scholarship, you must fill out a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form. See Mrs. Young if you have questions! Deadline: April 11.

American Legion Scholarships
Rules-Sons of the American Legion Castle-Williams Post #105 Scholarship $1000 scholarship will be awarded to a student who is a resident of Macon County and is the son, daughter, grandson, granddaughter, brother, or sister of a veteran. Application forms available in the guidance office and require list of extracurricular activities, leadership roles, civic and/or church community service; transcript; essay, and copy of veteran’s DD214 form (for help with this, you may call the Macon County Veteran’s Assistance Office at 424-1376). Deadline for application is April 15, 2008.
American Legion Auxiliary Scholarships Two $1000 scholarships will be given to qualifying students who reside within Macon County. Candidates for these scholarships are children or grandchildren of veterans who served during the eligibility dates for membership in the American Legion. Application forms are available in the guidance office and require four letters of recommendation from 1) principal or counselor 2) clergyman of your choice 3 & 4) adult citizens, other than relatives attesting to character, conduct, and leadership. Essay required “My Obligation as an American”. Transcript required. Deadline for entry: April 15, 2008.

St. Mary’s Hospital Scholarship Applicants must be accepted in a curriculum such as nursing, radiology, physical therapy, pharmacology, or other health-related area. All students in a medical field of study will be considered for an award. Deadline for consideration is May 1, 2008. Applications are available at St. Mary’s Foundation Office, on the St. Mary’s website, or by phoning Shelli Brunner at 464-2520. Consideration will be given to employees and volunteers of St Mary’s, family members of those groups, and families that have established St Mary’s as their hospital of choice. Others may also apply. Applications are due by May 1, 2008.

Michelle’s Scholarship Giveaway Michelle’s M2 Prom and Special Occasion Store in Urbana is sponsoring a Scholarship Giveaway. All female senior students from all schools in Illinois are eligible; one entry per student. No purchase is necessary. Join them in the store beginning January 2 until May 3 to have a first look at the 2008 Prom Collection and to register to win one of two $500 scholarships. One winner will be drawn and announced on Saturday, February 16, and the other will be drawn and announced on May 3. You must register in person and have a student ID. www.michellesbridalshoppe.com for more information.

ADM – Richland Vocational Scholarships Archer Daniels Midland Company is providing two new scholarships for Richland Community College students.
Welding Scholarships: The Welding Scholarship is a 1-year scholarship for tuition, books, fees, and necessary supplies awarded to those pursuing a basic 30 credit hour welding certificate with ASME certification at Richland CC. Criteria includes a high school diploma or GED and letter of recommendation. Recipients must be enrolled full or part-time with a minimum of six credit hours and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0/4.0.
CDL Scholarships: The CDL Scholarship is a 4-week scholarship for tuition awarded to those pursuing a Class A Commercial Driver Training License. (CDL). Criteria include diploma or GED, letter of recommendation, written statement of how the scholarship relates to their career goals as a driver in the trucking industry, and a satisfactory driving record.
For more information on either scholarship, contact the RCC Foundation Office, Wegi Stewart at 875-7200, ext. 350.

Engineering Scholarship The Central Illinois Chapter of the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers is again sponsoring a $1000 scholarship to a qualified central Illinois high school senior. To be eligible, the candidate should be accepted into an ABET accredited engineering college or a junior college with an equivalent academic schedule for the first two years. The candidate must reside within the counties of Macon, Moultrie, Piatt, Shelby, and the southern parts of DeWitt and Logan. There is no formal application form. Interested high school seniors should submit a brief resume including: interests, organized activities, officer positions, and awards; their school transcript with national testing results; and a one page composition describing their interest in engineering. Arrangements will be made for a personal interview with each applicant during the latter part of April. Interested students should submit application to: Willard T. Sudduth, PE; 2360 South Taylor Road, Decatur, IL 62521 prior to April 12, 2008.

*Melanie and Amy Camfield Memorial Scholarship AO high school teachers are being asked to nominate students deserving of the scholarship. The three main characteristics that all recommended students must possess are hard work, respect, and responsibility. There is no minimum GPA. After the nominations are tallied, selected students will be asked to submit an essay to a committee. The committee will make the final determination of the winner. Deadline: April 30.

*Betty Albright Memorial Scholarship $500 one time scholarship open to a graduating senior who will enter the field of elementary education. This scholarship is in honor of former AO elementary teacher Betty Albright. If you would like to be considered, please present a resume with your name, address, phone number, list of activities during high school (inside and outside of school), and a one page essay telling about yourself and why you want to be a teacher to Mrs. Young in the guidance office. Deadline: April 25th. See Mrs. Young if you have questions.

Private colleges often award merit scholarships based on grades, ACT scores, or a combination of both. Make campus visits early (preferably during junior year) so you know your options.