Mr$. Feldman’$ February/March $cholar$hip New$letter

by

Dear T.C. Students, Families, and Alumni,

I hope you each are doing well! I wanted to go ahead and get my February newsletter out early so that you can take advantage of the snow days to apply for scholarships. Take care, and please let me know if you have any questions!

Class of 2016 – FAFSA & SFA Application DUE FEB. 5

THIS WEDNESDAY, January 27th, the Scholarship Fund is hosting our second FAFSA Completion Workshop to help seniors and their families fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  The application takes less than 30 minutes, so families can simply drop by TC anytime between 5 – 8pm to complete the FAFSA and enjoy a free pizza dinner.

Every senior should submit the FAFSA now, even if you are not sure whether or not you plan to attend college. 

Many colleges require the FAFSA to be submitted by early February to qualify for the maximum amount of financial aid, so filling out the FAFSA now leaves your options open! Additionally, this is the last FAFSA workshop before our Scholarship Fund of Alexandria application deadline (February 5th), and the FAFSA is required to be considered for the majority of our scholarships.

Most students receiving free or reduced lunch will qualify for the Pell Grant through the FAFSA – $5,775 of free money to help them pay for school! However, even if a student does not receive free or reduced lunch, they 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! The FAFSA does not include essays and does not consider your grades. Please see this link for a list of documents to bring. Interpretation services will be provided with registration.

Also, please note that the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria application is due at 4:30pm on February 5th!  Go to sfa.awardspring.com to begin filling out your application.  We have both need-based and merit-based scholarships available, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 per year. If you have any questions about the SFA application or if you’d like feedback on your essays, please stop by our SFA Application Workshop THIS THURSDAY, January 28th or visit room A-121 or A-115 between 8am and 4:30pm Monday through Friday.

Class of 2016 – CSS Profile DUE ASAP for UVA, W&M, Duke, American, and more…

Are you applying to any colleges that require the CSS Profile? The CSS Profile is College Board’s (more complicated) version of the FAFSA. If you fail to complete both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile by your school’s priority deadline, you will miss out on thousands of dollars in potential aid. See this link for a list of schools that require the Profile, and make an appointment to complete it with me ASAP.

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

January

  1. Wayne V Black Scholarship – January 29, 2016 – $5,000 scholarship for current college student studying Pre-law or STEM
  2. Virginia Hospital Center Nursing Student Scholarship – January 31, 2016 – Open to students currently enrolled in an accredited Bachelor’s Degree Nursing Program; $5,000 scholarship and employment with Virginia Hospital Center following graduation
  3. Beauty Schools Scholarship – January 31, 2016 – Open to students interested in cosmetology or barbering
  4. Microsoft – January 31, 2016 – Full-tuition scholarship for students currently enrolled at a 4-year university; in recognition of demonstrated passion for technology, academic excellence and leadership
  5. Princeton Prize In Race Relations – January 31, 2016 – $1,000 scholarship for a 9-12 grade student in Washington, DC area who participates in volunteer activity to improve race relations

February

  1. Gloria Wille Belle Scholarship – February 1, 2016 – Open to current high school seniors from Virginia planning to attend University of Michigan, Ann Arbor to study STEM
  2. Wings Over America Scholarship – February 1, 2016 – 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.)
  3. Scholarship Fund of Alexandria – February 5, 2016 at 4:30pm – Renewable scholarship open only to T.C. Williams High School seniors with 2.5+ GPA; both financial-need-based and merit-based scholarships available; need-based awards are $3,000+ per year of college and require FAFSA submission
  4. FAFSA – February 5, 2016 – SFA’s need-based awards require FAFSA submission; many colleges’ priority financial aid deadlines are in early February — state and institutional aid goes first come, first served, so don’t delay in submitting your FAFSA
  5. Northern VA Urban League – February 5, 2016 at 4:00pm – $5,000 scholarship open to current high school seniors with 3.5+ GPA and leadership experience; essay on Black Lives Matter movement
  6. Lee-Jackson – February 5, 2016 – 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
  7. VA Council on Women: Stem Essay Contest – February 8, 2016 – Open to female high school juniors and seniors who plan to study STEM in college
  8. Davidson Fellows – February 10, 2016 – $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
  9. Jackie Robinson Foundation – February 15, 2016 – Open to minority high school seniors with financial need, leadership potential, and community service experience; applicants must have minimum of 1000 combined on Math and Critical Reading sections of the SAT or a composite ACT score of 21
  10. Jashemski Scholarship – February 15, 2016 – 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
  11. Asian Pacific Fund – February 19, 2016 – The Asian Pacific Fund administers 12 scholarship programs open to both high school seniors and current college students
  12. AFCEA NOVA – February 28, 2016 – $2,000 scholarship for students who are pursuing degrees in STEM technical fields supportive of our national security
  13. Alexandria Sportsman’s Club – February 29, 2016 – $2,000 – $4,000 scholarships open to current high school seniors from Alexandria City with 2.0+ GPA, community service experience, and athletic achievements
  14. Buick Achievers – February 29, 2016 – $25,000 scholarship open to current college students and high school seniors with volunteer experience and an interest in Engineering/Technology

March

  1. American Chemistry Society – March 1, 2016 – $2,500 renewable scholarships to underrepresented minority students who want to enter chemistry-related fields; open to current high school seniors as well as college students
  2. Virginia PTA Scholarship – March 1, 2016 – 2.5 GPA or higher; open to graduating Virginia high school students planning to enter teaching or other youth-serving professions in Virginia
  3. National Press Club Scholarship for Journalism Diversity – March 1, 2016 – 3.0 GPA or higher, plans to pursue a career bringing diversity to journalism
  4. Zimmerman Journalism Scholarship – March 1, 2016 – 3.0 GPA or higher, plans to pursue a career in journalism
  5. Gamma Phi Delta Sorority Scholarship – March 11, 2016 – Two local scholarships: one is open to seniors with GPA of 2.0 to 2.9 and the other is for seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
  6. Blacks In Government-Department of Labor Chapter – March 15, 2016 – 2.0+ GPA, graduating senior with financial need
  7. Arlington Lodge No. 58 – March 15, 2016 – $1,000 scholarship to seniors with 2.5+ GPA
  8. Booz Allen Hamilton – March 16, 2016 – $3,000 renewable scholarship open to children of Booz Allen Hamilton employees
  9. Legacy of Life Scholarship – March 23, 2016 – Write a 1,000 word essay or produce a video persuading the audience to become registered organ donors; $5,000 first prize in both categories
  10. Anthem Essay Contest – March 25, 2016 – Open to 8th, 9th, and 10th graders only
  11. Army Officers’ Wives’ Club of the Greater Washington Area – March 25, 2016 – Applicants must be the child (up to age 22) or spouse of active duty, retired or deceased US Army personnel, officer or enlisted, who maintain a current military dependent ID card; open to high school seniors and current college students
  12. Flag House Scholarship – March 25, 2016 – $1,812 scholarship awarded for 250 word essay contest

Monthly Drawings

Enjoy the snow this weekend, 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,
Margaret Feldman
Director of College Advising