United States Scholarships

The Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation is a non-profit, tax exempt corporation of volunteer men and women dedicated to providing financial assistance in the form of scholarships for higher education to deserving sons and daughters of United States Marines and children of former Marines, with particular attention being given to children whose parent was killed or wounded in action.

Eligibility Requirements for the National Scholarship Applicants will be considered if they are current high school seniors who: * Will graduate from an accredited high school with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; * Have received a letter of acceptance form to an accredited U.S. college to pursue full time study beginning no later than September 30th; * Have taken the SAT and/or ACT educational tests and received a minimum combined score of 1100 and/or 27, respectively; * Exemplify the skills obtained through the American Taekwondo Association such as discipline and perseverance; * Have registered with the Selective Services, if required; * Have never been convicted of drug possession or distribution; * Submit a complete application, along with a sealed copy of their high school transcripts, including the signature of their school's director of admissions across the envelope; * Submit two (no more than two) letters of recommendation from persons who can attest to their character; * Submit an essay (up to 500 words)

The Orphan Foundation of America (OFA) is both bricks and mortar and a very special place that exists in the hearts of many. Volunteers, scholarship recipients, program alumni, donors and youth care workers all recognize the uniqueness of its work and think of it as a place where they belong. Since its humble beginnings in 1981 in a community center basement, OFA has served thousands of foster teens all across the United States. From teaching youth how to balance a checkbook, write a resume, and apply for that first big job, to testifying before Congress and State Legislatures, OFA has long been a vocal champion of foster teens.

The McKelvey Foundation provides this scholarship to young entrepreneurs who have started their own business and would like the opportunity to attend college. Please read on to find out more about the eligibility requirements and benefits of applying for our Entrepreneurial Scholarship. The Award The McKelvey Foundation will award 10 $50,000 scholarships to each of 10 young entrepreneurs by May 1, 2006. The scholarships will distribute $12,500 per year for each of four years to an accredited four year college in the United States. The winners will have certain obligations during those four years to the foundation, including, returning to their high schools to speak about entrepreneurship and going on to college, and responding to requests from the McKelvey Foundation. News of the winners of the Entrepreneurial Scholarship will have their awards published in a major newspaper. Am I Eligible for the Entrepreneurial Scholarship? If you are a current business owner and a senior in a public or private school in the United States, you may be eligible. The selection criteria requires that you run a business (for profit or non-profit) in which you have at least one paid employee, either full time or part time, and sales revenue. In addition, eligible candidates will be required to do the following: * Submit a completed Application online * Submit evidence of attendance at a public or private high school (transcript) * Submit evidence of application to an accredited 4 year college * Agree to participate in a McKelvey Foundation Interview As a McKelvey Foundation Entrepreneurial Scholarship recipient, you must: * Achieve the minimum GPA established at your college each year * Return each year to your school district to discuss with underclassman the opportunities and benefits of a college education * Sign a waiver permitting your college to send the Foundation copies of your grades and copies of bills * Respond to McKelvey Foundation requests in a timely fashion * Pay for your books, supplies and other expenses not specifically covered by the Foundation

Talbots Women's Scholarship Fund, a program of the Talbots Charitable Foundation, will award $100,000 in scholarships to women determined to finally get that college degree. Five women will each be awarded $10,000 scholarships, and 50 women will each be awarded $1,000 scholarships. All applicants must be seeking an undergraduate degree from an accredited two- or four-year college or university, or vocational-technical school. Only applicants seeking a bachelor's degree from a four-year college or university are eligible to receive a $10,000 award. Scholarship awards are based primarily on financial need and previous achievements for women who earned their high school diploma or GED at least 10 years ago. Deadline January 2, 2007

The Voice of Democracy, endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals' contest criteria, is an audio essay contest for high school students in grades 9-12. The annual contest, which is designed to foster patriotism, allows students the opportunity to voice their opinion in a three to five minute essay based on an annual theme. Created in 1947, the scholarship program annually provides more than $3 million in scholarships. Each Department's first-place winner receives an all-expense-paid trip to Washington, D.C., plus the opportunity to compete for national scholarships. The first-place national winner receives a $25,000 scholarship. All national scholarships are paid directly to the American university, college or vocational/technical school as selected by the recipient. All scholarship funding is held at National Headquarters in escrow for 10 years from high school graduation. The funds, which are disbursed as needed, may be used for tuition, books, laboratory fees or other items relating specifically to the student's formal education. Clothing, room and board and pocket money are not considered authorized expenditures. All questions concerning the Voice of Democracy program should be submitted to VFW National Headquarters or your local VFW Post. How to Enter: Students can enter by submitting the required entry form, along with their essay and recording to a local VFW Post. To find a post in your area, click here or look in the white pages of your local phone directory. You may also call the VFW National Programs office during normal business hours at 816-968-1117. For entry form, click here. Mail entry form and audio essay to the local VFW post. Further directions are listed on the entry form.

Patriot's Pen, a youth-essay writing contest endorsed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals' contest criteria, is a nationwide competition that gives students in grades 6,7 and 8 the opportunity to write essays expressing their views on democracy. Annually, more than 115,000 students participate in the annual contest. Contestants write a 300-400 word essay based on an annual patriotic theme. The first-place winner receives a $10,000 savings bond and an all-expense-paid trip to Washington D.C. The top national winners each receive a savings bond anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000. For more information contact VFW National Headquarters or your local VFW Post. Student Information: Students can enter by submitting the required entry form, along with their essay, to a local VFW Post. To find a post in your area, click here or look in the white pages of your local phone directory. You may also call the VFW National Programs office during normal business hours at 816-968-1117. For entry form, click here. Mail entry form and essay to the local VFW post. Further directions are listed on the entry form.

About the Competition The Siemens Foundation, in partnership with the College Board, established the Siemens Westinghouse Competition. The Competition promotes excellence by encouraging students to undertake individual or team research projects in science, mathematics, engineering and technology or in combinations of these disciplines. In 1999, the Foundation hosted the first national Siemens Westinghouse Competition in Math, Science & Technology. With its high academic standards, rigorous judging process and emphasis on authentic scientific research, it has quickly become the leading science and mathematics research-based competition for high school students in the United States. Why Should You Participate? The Competition promotes high academic standards in math, science and technology and gives you an opportunity to further your research skills. It is nationally recognized and highly regarded by the most prestigious colleges and universities. Participating in the program may open new doors in pursuit of your educational and career objectives. The Competition provides you an opportunity to meet other students who share your interest in research, talk with distinguished scientists and, of course, win a scholarship for college. Scholarships for winning projects range from $1,000 for regional finalists to $100,000 for national winners. You can compete as an individual or as a member of a team.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS 1. Any student who is enrolled in and attending their last year of secondary school (public, private, or parochial) in the United States, Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Wake and Midway Islands, and the Marianas; or 2. Any American student (a United States citizen) enrolled in their last year of secondary school attending: 1. a Department of Defense Dependents School or an accredited overseas American or International School; or 2. a foreign school as an exchange student; or 3. a foreign school because his/her parent(s) are temporarily working and living abroad. 3. Entrants must have completed the high school courses required for college applications before October 1, 2005, and must not have entered any previous STS. Check with a counselor to verify; have them complete Part IV. 4. Sons and daughters of Science Service employees, Science Talent Search Evaluators or Judges are not eligible to enter the Science Talent Search. ENTRY RULES 1. Each student may enter only once, must be able to attest to all statements in the signature block on p. 3 and submit a signed entry to be eligible for judging. 2. The research project must be the work of a single student. There is no time limit on the length of research. Student group or team projects are not eligible. 3. Each student's report, including title page, text, and all appendices, tables/charts, etc., may not exceed 20 pages total. Students should select a report format which suits their research. At their discretion, judges may disqualify reports that exceed the 20-page limit.

All applicants must read the "Fire Sprinkler Essay" (pdf) or (html) (approximately 3000 words) about automatic fire sprinklers and take a ten-question multiple-choice test. This is an open-book test and you may print out the paper beforehand for reference during testing. For each question answered correctly, students will receive one (1) entry into a drawing for one of four $5,000 scholarships. For each question answered incorrectly, you will be given one more chance at the end of the exam to answer those questions correctly. A total of ten (10) entries into the drawing is possible. Students are allowed only one opportunity to take the online test. Any attempt to enter under a different name, address, etc., will automatically disqualify the student without notification to the student. Before scholarship funds will be awarded, all information submitted on the application by the student will be verified. If ANY false or misleading information is submitted on the application, the student will be disqualified without notification to the student. Deadline Entries will be accepted from 12:00 p.m. (noon) CDT September 1, 2005 until 12:00 p.m. (noon) CDT April 12, 2006. Prizes A total of $20,000 is awarded. Four (4) winners will receive a scholarship of $5,000 each. Only one $5,000 scholarship will be awarded to any single individual from this contest. The scholarship is paid directly to the educational institution in the student’s account to be used for tuition and/or books and may be used over a period not to exceed four (4) years.