Site Map Contributions Contact Us
  
Guidance Department

Scholarship Do's and Don't's

Protecting Yourself From Scholarship Scams

  • If you must pay money to get money, it might be a scam
  • If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is
  • Spend the time, not the money
  • Never invest more than one postage stamp to get information about scholarships
  • Nobody can guarantee that you will win a scholarship
  • Legitimate scholarship foundations do not charge scholarship fees
  • If you’re suspicious of an offer, it is usually with good reason

Warning Signs of a Scholarship Scam

  • Application Fees: Be wary of any “scholarship” that requests an application fee, even a fee as low as $2.
  • Loan Fees: Be wary if you have to pay a fee in advance of obtaining an educational loan. Legitimate loans never require an up-front fee when you submit the application
  • Guaranteed Winnings: No legitimate scholarship sponsor will guarantee that you’ll win an award. No scholarship matching services can guarantee that you will win an award either
  • Everybody is Eligible: NO scholarship sponsor hands out money to students simply for breathing; all scholarship sponsors are looking for candidates who best match certain criteria
  • We Apply on Your Behalf: To win a scholarship, you must submit your own application.
  • Claims of Influence with Scholarship Sponsors: Scholarship matching services do not have any control the awarding of scholarships by third parties 
  • Excessive Hype: If a brochure uses a lot of hyperbole (“free money”, “guaranteed”, “first-come, first-served”) be careful, Also be wary of terms such as: “invitation number”, “immediate confirmation”.
  • NO Telephone Number: Most legitimate scholarship programs include a telephone number for inquiries with their application materials
  • Masquerading as a Federal Agency: If you receive an offer from an organization with an official sounding name, check whether there really is a federal agency with that name.
  • Time Pressure: If you must respond quickly and won’t hear results for several months, it may be a scam
Scholarship Listings

Local & National Scholarships:

Community Foundation of Broward Scholarship Program

  • The Community Foundation annually awards more than $100,000 in scholarships.
  • Applications are available from late January to late March.
  • The eligibility criteria for each scholarship are listed within the application form.
  • All scholarships are for colleges, universities, or vocational schools.

Middleton Lawn & Pest Control 2008 “What’s Bugging You?” Youth Achievement Award

  • 6 graduating high school seniors will each receive a $2000 award
  • 22 graduating high school seniors will each receive a $500 award
  • Students must tell “what’s bugging you” in life or society by writing an essay, painting, or drawing a picture, or creating a computer illustration.  

Columba Bush’s Arts for Life!

  • Scholarship Awards a $1000 cash scholarship to 25 high school seniors in dance, music, theater, or visual art.
  • Recipients will attend a professional development workshop led by Romero Britto
  • Please visit: www.ExcelinEd.org or email Lisa Kammel Raguso at: Lisa@ExcelinEd.org for further information

Mahatma Rice/Univision Radio Scholarship

  • Offers college-bound high school seniors from the Dad, Broward, and Monroe Counties
  • $2000 cash awards Students must complete an essay

Commerce Bank American Dreams Scholarships 

  • $1,000 scholarship (225 winners will be awarded)
  • Applicants must be employed or actively involved in their communities
  • Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA 

2008 Sam Walton (Wal-Mart) Community Scholarship

  • This is a $1000 non-renewable scholarship for the first year of undergraduate study
  • Please visit: www.walmartfoundation.org for further details

McKelvey Foundation Entrepreneurial Scholarship

  • Award Offers up to $10,000 per academic year for 4 years to any US college or university
  • Available to all high school seniors who have demonstrated entrepreneurial spirit by owning and operating their own businesses while in high school

 

School Specific Scholarships:

The Ronald A. Hammond Scholarship (Univ. Miami) 

  • Four year, full tuition scholarship awarded to Florida students of all racial and ethnic backgrounds
  • Minimum requirements include an SAT score of: 1150; ACT of 26; and a strong B+ average
  • Recipients typically come from single family homes, promote diversity, are from an underrepresented minority, will be the first member of the family to graduate from college; demonstrate achievement and determination in the face of personal challenges

Florida State University Service Scholar Program

  • 10-15 incoming freshmen will receive annual scholarships of $2400 for demonstrating excellence in service and leadership in planning and promoting service among their peers.
  • Online applications are now available
  • Deadline January 19th

University of North Florida Guaranteed Presidential Scholarship

  • All students who meet the recalculated GPA of 3.75 and a 1260 SAT or 28 ACT and who submit their application by Nov. 1st will automatically be offered this $10,000 scholarship.
  • Please visit: www.unf.edu/finaid/scholarships for further information on other Freshman scholarships.

Broward County Gator Club

  • Scholarship for students who will attend UF next year.

 

Special Criteria Scholarships:

Columba Bush’s Arts for Life!

  • Scholarship Awards a $1000 cash scholarship to 25 high school seniors in dance, music, theater, or visual art.
  • Recipients will attend a professional development workshop led by Romero Britto
  • Please visit: www.ExcelinEd.org or email Lisa Kammel Raguso at: Lisa@ExcelinEd.org for further information

Horatio Alger Association Scholarship Program

  • Provides financial assistance to students who demonstrate financial need, integrity, and perseverance in overcoming personal adversity
  • Scholarships range in value from $2500--$20,000

The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW), Inc.

  • The Northwest Broward Section seeks to identify two women in Broward County who have the qualities to become our Jewish leaders of tomorrow
  • Applicants must be enrolled in 11th or 12th grade Applicants must reside in Broward County
  • One winner will be awarded $1000 towards tuition
  • Please contact the College Counseling Office for more information, or email: Janetsol@aol.com

The Ron Brown Scholar Program

  • Awards academically talented African American students
  • Awards scholarships up to $10,000 per year for four years
  • Deadline: November 1st  and January 9th

 
Guidance Links
Guidance Contacts
Guidance Office
954-905-5153
©Copyright 2007 Calvary Christian Academy sitemap - contributions - contact