Scholarship Sunday: Week 1

Hi friends!I am going to try to add something new to my blog: Scholarship Sunday!People frequently ask me for scholarship recommendations and advice for college, so I wanted to share my knowledge and be a resource.Please, please, please contact me or reach out to me on here if you are looking for a specific scholarship or have any questions regarding the ones that I've listed. Most of them I either applied for or won and I'd be happy to help. It makes your freshman year, and any year of college for that matter, so much better and allows you to focus more on your education when you do not also have to worry about how the next tuition bill will be paid.

1. ***Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Scholarship (MVS) --DEADLINE: NOVEMBER 30 (local deadline may be sooner)***

   If you are anything like I was in high school, this is by far one of my favorite scholarships to recommend. This is a fairly competitive national scholarship, but there are awards at the district, state and national level (sometimes local!) that you could receive by applying so do not let that intimidate you! The application is based on your community and campus involvement, volunteering hours, academic achievements and general involvement.Once you win an Elks scholarship you become like family. I was invited to speak at the State Convention last year with the other state scholarship recipients and I receive gifts in the mail from the national office often. Last week I got an envelope with a $5 Subway gift card that said "we know finals are coming up, take 5 on us." There are opportunities for different service trips, additional scholarships, conferences, and student leadership positions because of the MVS Scholarship that are worth looking into.I ended up being one of 480 national runner-up recipients and received a $1,000 scholarship that is renewable for up to 4 years. Renewable scholarships are HARD to come by so take advantage of them!

   1. Eligibility: You must be a high school senior
   2. Money: up to $12,500/yr for four years
   3. Website: www.elks.org/scholars/scholarships/mvs.cfm

2. University of Missouri Science and Agricultural Journalism Writing Contest for Young JournalistsDEADLINE: DECEMBER 15

   If you are planning or are interested in pursuing a major in Science and Agricultural Journalism, I highly recommend the writing contest offered by the degree program. You write a 3-4 page essay answering a given prompt in agricultural journalism, food journalism, or science and environmental journalism. It is really interesting and deserves more recognition, especially if you are considering the major.

   1. Eligibility: acceptance for 2017 fall semester and declared major in Sci & Ag Journalism at MU
   2. Money: $1,000 for one year
   3. Website: dass.missouri.edu/agj/writingcontest

3. ANYTHING VFW/Voice Of DemocracyDEADLINE: Check Local VFW

   I was lucky to participate in the VFW Voice of Democracy program junior and senior year and really enjoyed both times. It was not intimidating in any way and oftentimes came with food (yay!) and lots of opportunities to network with local veterans.The local VFW chapter allowed me to speak on multiple occasions and I was involved with their Veterans' Day activities and miscellaneous events throughout the two years. That participation later led to receiving a larger scholarship my senior year which really helped me pay for college. At the end of the day, I got money for spending time with people who sacrificed their lives for our country and freedom and I cannot think of a more rewarding program than what the VFW puts together for high school students.I highly encourage anything VFW-related. They are so nice and really care about your higher education and helping you achieve your goals.

   1. Eligibility: grades 9-12
   2. Money: depends! (I got a few hundred dollar ones and then a $2,500 one)
   3. Website: www.vfw.org/VOD

Here are three that I could think of before my computer died, but I will be updating and adding weekly. I love scholarships and I love helping people go to college, so hopefully this helps!Sending scholarships your way,Holly