High School Seniors Leaving Scholarship Money on the Table

The total amount of scholarships available to graduating seniors from Clinton is astonishing: upwards of $100,000. One scholarship will cover up to 80 percent of tuition costs.

Individual scholarship amounts range from $50,000 to $250; most are about $1,000.  Some have specific requirements (you must be entering the field of environmental studies or one of your parents or grandparents must be employed by Burger King or as a realtor).  But many are wide open.

The sad news is, not many kids eligible for the scholarships are applying for them. 

Patch spoke to Diana Brochu of The Morgan School Guidance Office who said the lack of applications isn't from the lack of her office getting the word out.  

A list of all available scholarships can be found on the Town Website which will link to the Clinton Public Schools website, in person at the Guidance Office at school, in bulletins given out to students, as well as through school morning announcements. 

"Most applications require a short essay, so there is some work involved," said Brochu.

Of the scholarships still available (meaning the deadline to apply for this year has not passed), there's a total of $36,550 in money available to qualified students. 

Here's an example of three different scholarships available now:

1. The Milton Fisher Scholarship - is a four-year scholarship of up to $5,000 for each year awarded to any graduating senior who has displayed evidence of innovative and creative problem solving. You should apply for this scholarship if you are a student who: has solved artistic, scientific or technical problems in a new or unusual way; has come up with a distinctive solution to problems faced by your school, community or family; or has created a new group, organization or institution that serves an important need. Download application at www.rbffoundation.org. Deadline is April 30, 2013. 
2. Clinton Child Care Services, Inc. The Marge Williams-Valentino Memorial Scholarship - The purpose of this scholarship is to honor Marge Williams-Valentino, the original director of Clinton Child Care Services, by awarding a $500 scholarship to a graduating senior who will be continuing their education in the field of Early Childhood Education. A one-page essay explaining why you chose to enter the field of child care/education is required along with a letter of recommendation from an employer or teacher. Deadline is May 1, 2013. 
3. Bill's Seafood Scholar/Athlete Scholarship - Two $1,500 scholarships are available, one for a male and one for a female. Applicants must have participated in sports all four years of high school and have good academic standing, good character, leadership qualities, good citizenship and intend to pursue an education in a four year college, junior college, business school, technical college or trade school.  See application in Guidance office for further details. Deadline is April 23, 2013.
   

• Scholarships are open to all soon-to-be graduates who reside in Clinton, not just those students from The Morgan School. If you are graduating from Xavier High School or another private school, you are eligible. 
  
• You can apply for as many scholarships as you are deemed eligible to receive.
• You can be awarded more than one scholarship.
• Some scholarships are based on financial need; most are not.
• Receiving a scholarship is different from receiving a school loan.
• The deadlines for the scholarships are all different and vary from an early January deadline to June.
• Some scholarships are for those attending a specific college or university, so if you know where you are going to school this Fall, apply for that particular scholarship now.