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

by

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

Class of 2016

Any senior who gives us confirmation of a completed FAFSA by March 10th will be entered in our FAFSA Push raffle drawing for free Beats Headphones.

Final FAFSA Completion Workshop TOMORROW (Feb 23rd)

TOMORROW, February 23rd, the Scholarship Fund is hosting our final 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.

Many colleges award financial aid first come, first served.  It is critical that every senior submit the FAFSA immediately to qualify for free money from the federal government, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and colleges.  Even if students are not sure whether or not they plan to attend college, they should complete the FAFSA to keep their options open! FAFSA does not require essays or consider students’ grades.

Most students receiving free or reduced lunch will qualify for the Pell Grant – $5,815 of free money to help them pay for school! Although over 60% of the Class of 2016 receives free or reduced lunch, only 35% of seniors have completed the FAFSA. Even if a student does not receive free or reduced 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 see this link for a list of documents to bring. Interpretation services will be provided with registration.

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 and links to scholarships are underlined in blue.

February

  1. OTAC – February 28, 2016 – Essay contest on responsible business practices
  2. AFCEA NOVA – February 28, 2016 – $2,000 scholarship for students who are pursuing degrees in STEM technical fields supportive of our national security
  3. 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
  4. 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. Dream Project VA – March 1, 2016 – $1,00 – $2,000 scholarships open to current high school seniors who were born outside of the US (including undocumented students)
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. National Press Club Scholarship for Journalism Diversity – March 1, 2016 – 3.0 GPA or higher, plans to pursue a career bringing diversity to journalism
  5. Zimmerman Journalism Scholarship – March 1, 2016 – 3.0 GPA or higher, plans to pursue a career in journalism
  6. Ivy Foundation of Northern Virginia – March 7, 2016 – Open to Arlington/Alexandria seniors with financial need
  7. 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
  8. Leaders of Tomorrow Scholarship – March 15, 2016 – $500 – $2,500 scholarships open to African American male high school seniors
  9. Blacks In Government-Department of Labor Chapter – March 15, 2016 – 2.0+ GPA, graduating senior with financial need
  10. Arlington Lodge No. 58 – March 15, 2016 – $1,000 scholarship to seniors with 2.5+ GPA
  11. Booz Allen Hamilton – March 16, 2016 – $3,000 renewable scholarship open to children of Booz Allen Hamilton employees
  12. Questbridge College Prep Scholars – March 23, 2016 – Open to high achieving, low-income high school juniors; includes full scholarships to college summer programs at Stanford, Yale, Emory, Penn, and more, all-expense-paid campus visits to colleges, and specialized guidance on applying to college
  13. 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
  14. Anthem Essay Contest – March 25, 2016 – Open to 8th, 9th, and 10th graders only
  15. 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

  16. Flag House Scholarship – March 25, 2016 – $1,812 scholarship awarded for 250 word essay contest
  17. National Pan-Hellenic Council of Northern VA –  March 31, 2016 – Local scholarship for students with 3.0 GPA or higher. Must be selected as a 2016 Black Scholar. See your counselor for eligibility and registration
  18. Vance Scholarship – March 31, 2016 – Northern VA resident pursuing a career in law enforcement or security. GPA of 2.5 of higher
  19. Rose Koury Scholarship – March 31, 2016 – Northern VA senior with financial need planning to enter field of early childhood or elementary education. $5,000 per year renewable scholarship
  20. Elizabeth Koury Scholarship – March 31, 2016 – Northern VA senior with financial need planning to enter field of medicine. $5,000 per year renewable scholarship
  21. Charles Homer Barton Scholarship – March 31, 2016 – Open to children of police officers who are employed by Fairfax, Loudoun, Leesburg, Middleburg, or Purcellville
  22. Leslie V. Forte Scholarship – March 31, 2016 – Open to current students at Northern Virginia Community College with GPA of 2.5 or higher
  23. Ashworth Grogan Scholarship – March 31, 2016 – Open to seniors and current NOVA students with GPA of 2.5 or higher. Must be pursuing a degree in education or health fields

April

  1. Naval Officers’ Spouses’ Club of Washington, DC – April 1, 2016 – Merit-based scholarship for children of active duty, retired, or deceased US Navy service members.
  2. Davis Putter Scholarship – April 1, 2016 – Open to students who actively participate in struggles for civil rights, economic justice, international solidarity or other progressive issues (including undocumented students)
  3. Generation Hope – April 1, 2016 – Teen parents attending college in DC, Maryland, or VA, 2.5 GPA or higher
  4. Esperanza – April 1, 2016 –  Local scholarship open to students born outside the US, or students who have two parents born outside the US (including undocumented students)
  5. Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes – April 15, 2016 – $5,000 scholarship honors young leaders ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive difference to people and our environment.
  6. AIGA Worldstudio Scholarship – April 22, 2016 – 2.0 GPA or higher; students with financial need who plan to major in an artistic subject area
  7. The Fountainhead Essay Contest – April 29, 2016 – Open to 11th and 12th graders only
  8. Angie Houtz – April 30,     2016 – Unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher; must be accepted to attend a Maryland public 2 or 4 year college

Monthly Drawings

Have a great March, 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

Margaret Feldman
Director of College Advising

Scholarship Fund of Alexandria
T.C. Williams High School | Room A-115
margaret.feldman@acps.k12.va.us | 703.824.6730

Follow me on twitter @TC2College