SCHOLARSHIPS
Stop in to the School Counseling Office for available scholarships!! We can point you in the right direction!
Websites to search for scholarships:
www.fastweb.com
www.scholarships.com
**Please remember that these are Nationwide scholarship sites. You are entering a large pool of applicants. It is wise to apply to many scholarships, but best to devote more time to local scholarships as the applicant pool will be much smaller.
**Be cautious of scholarship scams. Never pay to apply for a scholarship, and never pay an entity to search for scholarships for you.
The Aitkin Dollars for Scholars scholarship program is one that all Aitkin Seniors should apply for. The application will be made available to students after the Christmas break. Please note that if the application is filled out correctly and on time, each applicant is guaranteed scholarship money (if conditions to receive the award are met).
AVAILABLE SCHOLARSHIPS
Please check the website often as the information changes and new scholarships are listed. Students need to review applications carefully for instructions, deadlines, and other requirements. Please allow yourself enough time to write essays, gather letters of recommendations or other information if needed. Access to the scholarship is listed in the description.
OCTOBER
-DR. PEPPER TUITION GIVEAWAY:
This opportunity is for 18-24 year olds. It includes an essay on how you’re going to change the world. Get more information at http://www.drpeppertuition.com/
-Wendy's High School Heisman: Qualifications: High school senior, GPA of 3.0 or higher, participate in at least one qualified athletic event (list of events on website), and be a leader in your school and community. Submission details available on the website.
-Horatio Alger Association Scholarship: Qualifications: High school senior, plans to enter college the fall after graduation, strong commitment to pursue and complete a Bachelor's degree, demonstrate critical financial need, involvement in co-curricular activities, minimum GPA of 2.0, US citizen. Submission details available on the website.
-Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship: Qualifications: Must be a US citizen, must be a high school senior planning to earn a degree from an accredited post-secondary institution. Submission details available on the website.
VFW Youth Scholarships Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay. The 2020-21 theme is: Is This the Country the Founders Envisioned? Applications must be submitted by October 31, 2020.
NOVEMBER:
-Elks Most Valuable Student Contest:
Qualifications: MVS scholarships are for students pursuing a four-year degree on a full-time basis (minimum of 12 semester hours), at U.S. college or university. Eligible applicants include current high school seniors (or equivalent) who are citizens of the United States. Applicants do not have to be related to a member of the Elks, nor do they have to have an affiliation with Brainerd Elks Lodge 615. Male and female students compete separately. Applications can be found online at enf.elks.org/MVS.
College Juniors/Seniors - Scholarship Opportunity
The Youth Outreach Committee of Lions District 5M9 is offering up to $9,000.00 in college scholarships. To be eligible to apply for a scholarship a student: 1. Must be in the last two years of a degreed college program. Graduate students are not eligible for this scholarship. 2. Have a major in a program which leads to a career in working with youth. 3. Have graduated from a high school that is within District 5M9 or their home is in District 5M9. The student can only receive this scholarship one time. THE COMPLETED APPLICATION AND ALL SUPPORTING MATERIALS SHOULD BE MAILED OR EMAILED. The application is also available in a fillable form at www.lionsof5M9.org Look for the Youth Outreach logo or click on “Forms” on the left side.
DECEMBER:
-Itasca Community College Presidential Scholarship
-Wells Fargo Scholarship Program for People with Disabilities Scholarship:
JANUARY
-National Wild Turkey Federation’s Academic Scholarship Program: Qualifications: Graduating high school senior with a 3.0 on 4.0 scale, must be pursuing a degree at an accredited institution of higher education, have a current hunting license, NWTF membership (local chapter will help obtain membership), be involved in school activities, demonstrate ability as a leader among peers, demonstrate community leadership and/or involvement, submit an essay, and three letters of recommendation. Paper application is available in the Counseling Office. Deadline: January 1, 2021.
Alworth Memorial Fund Qualifications: Must be a high school senior graduating from Aitkin HS, have a composite score of at least 25 on the ACT, be pursuing a 4-year degree (this includes those who begin at a community college), have a high school GPA of 3.5 or higher, commit to a major in one of the designated fields of study (specific list available on the Alworth website), come from a family whose taxable income is less than $120,000. Please visit the website for more specifics.
-HEALTHCARE LEADERSHIP SCHOLARSHIP - Sponsored by Nurse.org
Based in Bellevue, WA, Nurse.org is seeking applications for the Healthcare Leaders Scholarship. To be eligible for the $1000 award, students must have a GPA of 3.0 or above, be pursuing a degree related to healthcare, and submit a 600-1000 word essay by January 29th. Scholarship is offered once a year and award is paid directly to the student. See website above for more information. There are many more nursing scholarships available on this website as well.
-Duluth Superior Area Community Foundation Scholarships:
Multiple scholarships available, please visit the website for full details on all scholarships and their specific qualifications. Submission details available on the website.
-Minnesota Power Foundation Community Involvement Scholarship Program: Eligibility Criteria: Must be a full-time high school senior, have a GPA of 3.0 or higher and reside in Minnesota Power service territory. Submission details and application are on the website.
-PolyMet Mining for Excellence Scholarships: for outstanding high school students who are planning for college or vocational training and interested in STEM. Submission details available on the website.
FEBRUARY
-James W. Tracy Scholarship:
This scholarship is available to Minnesota high school seniors who are enrolled or planning to enroll in an accredited post-secondary school pursuing an academic award (certificate, diploma or degree) in agriculture or animal husbandry. Five $1,000 scholarships will be awarded. Submission details available on the website.
Alpha Kappa Psi Scholarship Fund
The Alpha Kappa Psi Scholarship Fund has awarded more than 2,000,000 in scholarships to more than 300 recipients. High school seniors who have been admitted to the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota for Fall are eligible to apply. Applications must be submitted by February.
Brainerd Elks - CLC Liberal Arts & Science Scholarship
Deadline: February,
Scholarship amount is $1,400 and open to any presently enrolled senior of a high school in the Brainerd area who plans to pursue a general course of study designed for a Central Lakes College Liberal Arts and Sciences Degree for transfer to a four-year college. Completed applications should be emailed to: jamesvanduyn@gmail.com by February and must include all of the items on page one of the application.
Brainerd Elks - CLC Career & Technical Program Scholarship
Deadline: February
Scholarship amount is $1,400 and open to any presently enrolled senior of a high school in the Brainerd area who plans to pursue a general course of study designed for a Central Lakes College Liberal Arts and Sciences Degree for transfer to a four-year college. Completed applications should be emailed to: jamesvanduyn@gmail.com by February and must include all of the items on page one of the application.
April
Mid Minnesota Builders Association (MMBA) Scholarship
Deadline: April at 3:00 pm
Mid Minnesota Builders Association awards up to $3,000 in scholarships. This scholarship is open to MMBA members, employee of an MMBA member, spouse and/or recent high school graduate of an MMBA member. 2021 Scholarship criteria is available here. Completed scholarship applications are due to the MMBA office by Monday, April at 3:00 pm.
🔶🔶Scholarships for JUNIORS ONLY:
-MN Association of Townships Scholarship: http://mntownships.org/about-mat/minnesota-association-of-townships-scholarship-program/ Qualifications: Open to all MN 11th graders. Must write a 450-500 word essay. Submission details available on the website. Deadline: May 1, 2021. Closed for the 19-20 scholarship.
-TRIPLE-IMPACT COMPETITOR SCHOLARSHIP This scholarship is for high school junior student-athletes. More information is available online at www.positivecoach.org/scholarships.Closed for the 19-20 scholarship.
Loan opportunity for Aitkin High Graduates:
*The Hans and Thora Petraborg Educational Trust Fund: This educational trust fund was created to memorialize long-time local residents, Hans and Thora Petraborg in their strong belief in higher education and the future of Aitkin. The main requirement, aside from being an Aitkin High School graduate, is that the interest free loans go to deserving students who might not otherwise be able to pursue higher education without such assistance. To apply:fill out the Hans and Thora Petraborg Educational Trust Fund Loan Application and State of Borrower Responsibility form-Petraborg Scholarship Application. Return to the Counseling Office or mail to: Aitkin Public Schools, District Office, 306 2nd Street NW, Aitkin, MN 56431 no later than the Deadlines: May 31st for July 31 distribution and December 1 for December distribution. For any questions or inquiries, please contact Jeanne Ince, Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent at 218-927-7106.