ScholarUp

In Your Corner: Clubs & Organizations for Students

 

Golden Key International Honour Society

 

FOUNDED          

1977 Georgia State University

JUST THE FACTS              

Non-profit honors organization

Open to college sophomores, juniors & seniors & graduate students

Three Pillars - Academics, Leadership & Service

390+ chapters at schools around the world, including India and Australia

More than 2 million student members

GET INVOLVED

Acceptance depends on academic achievement (top 15% of class)

Join an existing chapter, start a chapter or apply as an individual member

BENEFITS OF MEMBERSHIP        

Access to $1 million in yearly scholarship, grant & award opportunities

Career advancement programs, internships and jobs

Service and leadership projects

Study abroad

Networking and educational mentoring

NOTABLE MEMBERS     

Bill Clinton, former U.S. President

Elie Wiesel, Nobel Peace Prize winner & author of Holocaust memoir Night

 

 

 

Good 2 Know - Educational Resources and Updates

When it comes to evaluating prospective students, more and more college admissions officers are using Facebook as a tool for gaining a more in-depth look at applicants.

This growing trend, discussed in a recent story in U.S. News and World Report, offers another reason students should be careful about the content they post on social media sites. You never know who is checking up on you!

School Buzz - College Profiles - November 2011

University of Michigan

 

Brief Description: Public research university with a diverse student body of more than 40,000 and more than 200 degree programs. U of M is located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, named the "Best College Sports Town" by Forbes Magazine in 2009 and 2010.  

High Honors: U of M was recently rated #14 on US News and World Report’s list of the Top 400 Universities in the World, receiving a near-perfect score for academic reputation.

Hail to the Victors: The Michigan Wolverines have claimed more than 52 national championship titles in 12 different sports since 1865, showing particular dominance in football, swimming and diving, women’s softball and ice hockey. The university also has world-renowned athletic facilities, such as Michigan Stadium (aka “The Big House) which can pack more than 100,000 fans.

 

Fun Fact: There are too many notable alumni of UM to list, but here are a few you may have heard of: Madonna, Larry Page (cofounder of Google), former President Gerald Ford, NFL quarterback Tom Brady and actress Selma Blair.

One to Watch - Interviews with Scholarship Winners - Wesley Porter

During his final years at Blackman High School in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, Wesley Porter dedicated much of his time preparing for college. He spent hours online, gathering information on the necessary steps in filling out college and financial aid applications and researching recommendations on how to complete them quickly and efficiently. He even attended multiple college fairs and consulted college admissions personnel to devise the best way to approach the application process.

 

One of his most significant tips, however, came from someone a little closer to home.

 

Wesley’s father, who works at the Tennessee Nissan plant in Smyrna, received a memo announcing the scholarship program and passed the information along to Wesley. He eagerly applied and in May 2011, Wesley learned he was selected as the leadership winner for the Nissan Scholar Scholarship Program, earning him a $3,750 scholarship.

 

The Nissan awards up to three renewable scholarships each year to children of Nissan employees who work full-time at eligible manufacturing plants located in Middle Tennessee. Applicants must be high school seniors, have a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher and demonstrate community involvement and academic achievement.

 

According to Wesley, winning the Nissan scholarship greatly impacts his ability to obtain a first-rate education without acquiring student loan debt. The nineteen year old is currently enjoying exploring his options while studying Chemistry at the University of Tennessee at Knoxville.

 

“It's my hope that I can someday repay this scholarship back to my community by being the example my teachers were to me,” Wesley said. 

 

While plans for his future are still up in the air – his career interests range from teaching at the collegiate level to practicing law - Wesley says he always strives to live according to his personal motto  “Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained” as he feels that mindset is instrumental to his success.

 

“My advice to others who seek success in life, no matter what form or shape it may take, is to take that step forward even when you're unsure where it might lead you,” Wesley said. “No one great ever got anywhere by sitting on their front porch.”

Discounts that Count - Ways to Save Money in College

Being a college student entitles you to discounts for everyday life. Use these tips to keep your wallet happy:

Car Insurance – Take advantage of the good-student rate many car insurance companies – including Allstate and State Farm – offer to high school and college students. Although standards vary by state, you should talk to your agent if you have a B average or higher – you most likely are eligible for a discount.

Scholarship Time - What You Should Be Doing Right Now

Attention high school seniors!

 

The National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP) and Herff Jones are now accepting nominations for the Pricipal's Leadsership Award (PLA). Principals or assistant principals may nominate one deserving high school senior from their high school to compete for a scholarship - students are not able to apply. Nominees should be current high school seniors who demonstrate leadership and rank in the top 20% of their class. For 2012-2013, scholarships ranging from $1,000 to $12,000 will be awarded to 100 individuals from all 50 states, Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia and the Virgin Islands.

 

If you feel you are a good candidate, talk to your principal or assistant principal about the program. If he or she has not yet submitted a nomination, show them why you deserve the spot. Don't delay - this program closes December 2!

 

Since 1998, NASSP and Herff Jones have provided more than $3.5 million in PLA scholarships to student leaders across the country. Click here for more information on NASSP and its student award programs.

Unusual Scholarships

Scholarship money for Southern roots.

 
The Jimmy Rane Foundation awards scholarships of $500-$5,000 to Southern high school and college students based on educational achievement, financial need, community involvement and an essay response. Applicants from the following states can apply for this year’s program beginning December 1st: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

 

Stomp, tap or twirl your way to college.  

Since 1999, American Harlequin Corporation supported individuals pursuing performing arts career through its Dance Scholarship Program. This year, 10 lucky dancers – chosen at random - will win their share of $25,000 in scholarship money. No judging of artistic merit or financial need is involved, so all dancers are encouraged to apply.

Good 2 Know - Educational Resources and Updates

According to Kelci Lucier, educational blogger and founder of The College Founder Handbook, it is a good idea for students to give themselves a financial checkup midway through the semester. At this time, most students have taken care of their major expenses - like tuition, room and board and books - making it easier to budget for the remainder of the semester.

Read this post for more advice on financing your college experience.

School Buzz - College Profiles - November 2011

Wabash College

 

Brief Description: Private liberal arts college for men housed on a residential, wooded campus in Western Indiana. Wabash has a student body of about 900 men and an average class size of just 13 students.  
 

 

High Honors: Young men at Wabash uphold two of the school's pillars – Lead Effectively and Live Humanely – through involvement in their community. Wabash is home to an award-winning chapter of College Mentors for Kids. Plus, within 48 hours of arriving on campus, freshman students venture out into the community and spend an afternoon participating in a variety of service projects.
 

Prospective VIPs: Every year Wabash hosts the Top Ten Scholarship Visit Day, a college visit event targeting applicants who rank in the top ten percent of their class. If the applicant who participates in this event is admitted to the college, he receives a scholarship of at least $15,000 per year for four years! This year's Top Ten Day is scheduled for November 4th.

 

Fun Fact: Thanks to a $700K grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Wabash recently added an Asian Studies program to its course offerings. This addition comes after nearly 15 years of faculty preparation and student interest.