Ready to Succeed Scholarship

For the first time this school year, a Ready to Succeed Scholarship Program will be available for college students attending private and public schools in Pennsylvania. The state has allocated $5 million in the budget for the merit-based scholarship, and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) will be administering the program.

To qualify, students must have completed at least one academic year - defined as having earned at least 24 semester credits - have at least a 3.25 GPA and family income cannot exceed $110,000. Students who receive needs-based scholarships are eligible as well. A full-time student can receive up to $2,000 and part-time students can get up to $1,000. The minimum award is $500. The scholarship can be used toward tuition, books, living expenses, fees or supplies.

PHEAA will forward the colleges and universities a roster of students who qualify for the grants based on income, and it will be up to the schools to certify a student’s academic eligibility. Colleges are able to start nominating students now and applications will need to be submitted by September 15th. The state will notify students between mid-October and November if they have received an award.

There is no limit for how many students a school can nominate and awards will be given out on a first come, first served basis. In Pennsylvania, with nearly 700,000 college students, PHEAA estimates tens of thousands of students will qualify for these grants, but expects about 3,600 students will actually receive an award based on the low state allocation for this program.

Students should be doing everything possible to lower their college debt and I am pleased the Commonwealth has introduced another resource for those looking to continue their education after high school. Oftentimes, middle income students do not qualify for state grants because there are other students in more financially desperate situations. The Ready to Succeed Scholarships offer these middle income students a new opportunity for financial freedom.

To learn more about if you are eligible for one of these scholarships or how to apply, please contact your college or university’s Financial Aid Office.

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be between the ages of 17 and 26
• Have a high school GPA of at least 2.50
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent
• Score a minimum of 1000 on the SAT (math/verbal) or 19 on the ACT (excluding the required writing test scores)
• Meet physical standards
• Agree to accept a commission and serve in the Army on Active Duty or in a Reserve Component (Army Reserve or Army National Guard)

As one of the nation’s largest college financial aid programs in the country, the Horatio Alger National Scholarship Program is one of the major scholarship programs nationally that specifically assists high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives. The scholarships are funded by Horatio Alger Members who, like the Scholars, have experienced challenges but ultimately overcame them to become successful business and civic leaders.

The National Scholarship is awarded to eligible students in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. National Scholars receive an all-expenses paid trip to Washington, D.C., during the spring of their senior year to participate in the National Scholars Conference.  Recipients must attend the National Scholars Conference to receive the award.

To be eligible to apply for the Horatio Alger National Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be enrolled full time as a high school junior in the United States
• Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited non-profit public or private institution in the United States (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution)
• Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required)
• Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities
• Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity
• Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0; and
• Be a United States citizen

The undergraduate application will be available from December 1, 2021 – March 15, 2022.

The scholarship is awarded to an outstanding high school senior who wishes to pursue a career in eingineering. This is an academic scholarship and the most important part of the application is the essay, but grades, test scores, and activities are also considered.  The scholarship is $1,500.  Information is available at:

Katz-Soler High School Engineering Scholarship.pdf  The deadline for application is February 25, 2022. Completed applications must be sent to Joe Muha - ASM Scholarship Coordinator at: [email protected]   

The current multipolar era poses challenges for U.S. foreign policy but also provides new opportunities for partnership across world powers – including emerging great powers like China and Russia – to build peace in conflict-affected countries. Describe a current situation where American diplomats and peacebuilders are working with other world powers, as well as local and/or regional actors, in a conflict-affected country to champion democracy, promote human rights, and/or resolve violent conflict.

Successful essays will identify, in no more than 1,250 words, the strategies and tactics U.S. Foreign Service Officers and American peacebuilders are employing to build successful partnerships with other world and regional powers and with local actors in the chosen current situation. The essay will also describe specific ways that these partnerships are helping to promote stability and build peace.

CRITERIA

• Attend Thomas Jefferson High School as a graduating senior.
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
• All seniors with plans to further their education after high school are encouraged to apply - trade schools, vocational programs, or college students should all apply
• Plan to attend a 2-or 4-year college or university OR an accredited vocational or technical trade school as a full-time student.

HOW TO APPLY

• Complete the application here: TJ Class of '75 Scholarship Page.
• Complete the essay section of the application.
• Submit your Student Aid Report (SAR). If you have not already received your SAR, you can do so by applying for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Submit one letter of reference from an employer, supervisor from a volunteer experience, a local faith community or a teacher or guidance counselor.
• Submit your unofficial transcripts.

The Brian Bayich Memorial Scholarship, established by his family, honors the life of Thomas Jefferson graduate Brian Bayich (TJHS Class of 1997). While attending TJ, Brian was a trumpet player in the marching band and jazz band. His love of music carried into his adult life. Brian graduated from IUP with a degree in Culinary Arts. He was employed as an Executive Chef and used his skills as a chef to bring joy and happiness to the lives of all who gathered together. Brian was a wonderful son, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend and is dearly missed by all. 

The $500 financial award will be given to a TJ senior who plans to attend either a two-year or four-year college or university and intends to major in hospitality, culinary arts, or music. Applications will remain open for the academic year.

https://thebrianbayichmemorialscholars.godaddysites.com/

The team at Study.com believes that everyone should be able to afford to pursue a college education. In honor of Black History Month, we wanted to reaffirm our goal of making education accessible for everyone by highlighting our recently updated Financial Aid and Scholarship Guide for Black Students which offers in-depth information in several areas, including:

• Changes to FAFSA and financial aid as well as financial relief for HBCUs resulting from the new COVID-19 stimulus bill
• Information on finding and applying for scholarships with a list of scholarships for black students
• Information on HBCUs and why they're important, and scholarships for those looking to attend an HBCU
• Organizations and resources that are helpful for Black students and students of color
• Information on Apple’s new $25 million investment in resources and scholarships for students at HBCUs

Scholarships valued at $10,000 each

State scholarships are awarded to eligible students in all fifty states and the District of Columbia. The program specifically assists high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives. The scholarships are funded by Horatio Alger Members who, like the Scholars, have experienced challenges but ultimately overcame them to become successful business and civic leaders. For a full listing of Horatio Alger Scholarship Programs and their funders, please click here.

To be eligible to apply for a Horatio Alger State Scholarship, applicants must meet the following criteria*:

• Be enrolled full time as a high school junior in the United States
• Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a bachelor’s degree at an accredited non-profit public or private institution in the United States (students may start their studies at a two-year institution and then transfer to a four-year institution)
• Demonstrate critical financial need ($55,000 or lower adjusted gross family income is required)
• Be involved in co-curricular and community service activities
• Display integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity
• Maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.0; and
• Be a United States citizen

The undergraduate application is available from December 1, 2021 – March 15, 2022.