Just as early decision deadlines for college admission are in the rear-view mirror, it’s time to think about scholarships.
It’s hard to believe, but applications are due for some great scholarships. And even if the deadline is a ways off, it’s good to get started, especially since several scholarships may close on the same date.
“Most scholarships have deadlines near the end of the calendar year, near the end of the school year, and near the beginning of the school year,” said Eli Bernstein, product manager of Scholly, a scholarship-finding tool.
While time is still on your side, take note of these upcoming deadlines, provided by Scholly and Scholarship America, a private scholarship service.
Nov. 10: InsuranceQuotes.com’s Drop Distraction Scholarship (Up to $3,000 out of $5,000 total)
Eligibility: High school seniors, undergraduates and graduates
Details: To spread awareness and combat the nine deaths a day from crashes that involve a distracted driver, the site is offering scholarships to reward “the most creative and practical solutions to help keep eyes on the road.”
Nov. 17: The Risk Management Association Foundation Scholarship Program ($2,000-$5,000)
Eligibility: College juniors and up
Details: This business-minded scholarship is for students who have completed at least two years of college and plan to continue at an accredited four-year school in the U.S. or Canada. You must keep a 3.0 GPA in business courses and have declared a major in accounting, business, finance, economics, banking or a “related area of study” and intend to work in the banking industry after you graduate.
Dec. 1: The Apartment List Scholarship ($2.500)
Eligibility: High school seniors, undergraduates, graduates
Details: The apartment rental marketplace is looking for “outstanding students” who exemplify one or more of San Francisco-based TheApartmentList.com’s core values: “Bold while pragmatic, endlessly helpful, making an impact, driven by data, succeeding together, forever learning.” Must be a legal resident 18 or older who is currently attending high school and headed to an accredited university or college next year, or who is currently attending an accredited university or college.
Dec. 1: The Neil Patel Scholarship Program ($5,000)
Eligibility: Undergraduates
Details: The entrepreneur wants to pick three undergrads each year and give them money their own “entrepreneurial endeavors.” Anyone attending a college can submit a one-page essay outlining plans for after graduation. Winners will be selected “by December 1,” so get your applications in quick.
Dec. 15: Scholarship America’s Dream Award ($5,000-$15,000)
Eligibility: Rising sophomores and up
Details: This renewable scholarship is “for financially needy students who have overcome barriers and have successfully started their college education.” Katie Couric seeded the award with a donation in 2011, and as an incentive to complete college, the money grows by $1,000 each year until graduation. Check out inspiring stories of previous winners here.
Dec. 15: The Burger King Scholars Program ($1,000, and up to one $50,000 “KING” national award)
Eligibility: Burger King employees, employees’ spouses or domestic partners, employees’ children and high school seniors in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Canada who are continuing their education.
Details: The program honors Burger King co-founder James W. McLamore and is aimed at promoting the values that he demonstrated throughout his life -- integrity, high standards, entrepreneurial spirit, good citizenship and education.
Dec. 15: The AXA Achievement Scholarship ($10,000, up to $25,000 total for national winners)
Eligibility: High school seniors
Details: Awarded to 52 students (one for each state, including Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico). Each state winner has a chance at winning an additional national prize. Applicants must have “ambition and drive, determination to set and reach goals, respect for self, family and community, and ability to succeed in college.” You must be a resident of the U.S. or Puerto Rico, and planning to enroll full-time in an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the U.S. Only the first 10,000 applications are accepted, so don’t wait until the deadline to get yours in.
Dec. 15: The Foreclosure.com Scholarship Program ($1,000-$5,000)
Eligibility: Undergraduates
Details: Answer the essay topic and you could be one of five winners of this scholarship, which “challenges future leaders of America to provide creative solutions/ideas to many of the nation’s most critical issues, real estate/housing in particular, which can be used to help turn around the market.”
