December Scholarships

AXA Achievement Scholarship- The AXA Achievement Scholarship in association with U.S. News & World Report provides $670,000 in annual scholarships to young people throughout the nation. Winners are awarded on the State and National levels (State Winners: Fifty-two winners – one from each state, the District of Colombia and Puerto Rico – are selected by our nonprofit partner, Scholarship America, to receive one-time scholarship awards of $10,000 each...National Winners: From the pool of 52 state winners, ten are selected as national winners and earn an additional one-time scholarship of $15,000). This brings the top AXA Achievers total scholarship awards to $25,000 each. These top ten also receive the offer of an internship with AXA. Scholarship winners are known as AXA Achievers. They are ethnically and economically diverse, but they share these qualities: Ambition and drive, determination to set and reach goals, respect for self, family and community, and ability to succeed in college. Apply online at www.axa-achievement.com. Deadline: December 1, 2011.

Violet Richardson Award – As a worldwide service organization, Soroptimist International of the Americas established the Violet Richardson Award. This award recognizes young women between the ages of 14 and 17 who make the community and world a better place through volunteer efforts. These are merit awards and are NOT based on academic achievement. The Violet Richardson Award Program underscores Soroptimist’s commitment to volunteerism and to young women – the leaders of the future. The Violet Richardson Award begins with a cash award ($500) at the local club level (Salt Lake), with the club winner becoming eligible for region-level awards of $1000 ($1000 will also be contributed in honor of the winner to their volunteer organization). One finalist will then be chosen from the 29 winners for an additional award, including a contribution of $2500 to the finalist’s volunteer organization. Emailable Applications and full details are available online at www.sislc.org or http://www.sislc.org/vra.htm.  Deadline: December 1, 2011.

The Bill of Rights Institute’s 2011-2012 Being an American Essay Contest- This contest is open to all United States citizens or legal residents who are students in Grades 9-12. Essay Question: "How does the Constitution establish and maintain a culture of liberty?" In an essay of no more than 1000 words, analyze and discuss: • How one of the Founding principles (read about the Founding principles on the web link) established in the Constitution helps preserve liberty
• Why at least one Founder, as evidenced in a primary source document, believed your chosen principle was a safeguard to liberty
• Why your principle continues to be important today
• How you personally help preserve a culture that insures the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness in America First Place: $1000 (5 winners) Second Place: $500 (5 winners) Third Place $250 (5 winners) *Winners will be announced in February. Visit www.BillofRightsInstitute.org/essaycontest for more details and complete rules/regulations. Students must submit their essays online between Constitution Day – September 17, 2011 through Bill of Rights Day - December 15, 2011 at www.BillofRightsInstitute.org/submit Deadline: December 15, 2011, 11:59pm (PST).

Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) National Science Fair-deaf or hard-of-hearing 6th-12th grade students may submit their most interesting or challenging science project, either individually or as a team. Projects will be judged in the middle school, high school, and team divisions. Winners will receive cash awards, plaques and prizes. Visit www.rit.edu/NTID/ScienceFair for complete details. Deadline for entry form and project summary: December 15, 2011.

2012 NFIB Young Entrepreneur Award- Young entrepreneurs who are graduating high school seniors are eligible to receive a 2012 NFIB Young Entrepreneur Award from the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation. Qualified candidates must be operating a small business. Visit www.NFIB.com/YEA for more information and to apply online. Deadline: December 15, 2011.

Apprentice Ecologist Initiative Scholarship – Three scholarships totaling $850 will be awarded annually to the authors of the top Apprentice Ecologist essays. Scholarships are available for students aged 13-21. To become an official Apprentice Ecologist and be considered for a scholarship: 1) conduct your own environmental stewardship project in 2011. 2) Take a few digital photos of your project in action. 3) write an essay about your project and what it meant to you. 4) Register and upload your favorite project photo along with your essay. For examples of environmental projects, tips on writing the essay, and complete details, visit http://www.wildernessproject.org/volunteer_apprentice_ecologist.  Deadline: midnight GMT December 31, 2011.

Top Ten List Scholarship 2011-ScholarshipExperts.com is again offering the Top Ten List Scholarship and will award three scholarships of $1,000 each. Applicants must: -Be thirteen (13) years of age or older at the time of application -Be legal residents of the fifty (50) United States or the District of Columbia -Be currently enrolled (or enroll no later than the fall of 2017) in an accredited post-secondary institution of higher education -Submit an online short written response (250 words or less) for the scholarship topic: “Create a list of your 10 favorite books and what they have taught you.” Visit http://www.scholarshipexperts.com/apply.htx for details and to apply. Deadline: December 31, 2011 at 11:59 pm Eastern Time.

Gen & Kelly Tanabe Scholarship - The Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship is open to 9th-12th grade high school students, college students or graduate school students who are legal U.S. residents. Students not currently in school must plan to enroll in a higher education program within 12 months. Winners are chosen by committee, which bases its decision primarily on the submitted personal statement. The first place award is a $1000 scholarship. For complete details and to apply, visit http://www.gkscholarship.com.  Deadlines: August 1- December 31, 2011 (Fall Competition); January 1- July 31, 2012 (Spring Competition).