Updated By Alisha Pabon
Special to The Stuttgart Citizen
With the price of tuition, room and board, and book fees, college can seem unreachable to many students, but it doesn’t have to be. There are many scholarships out there, especially for military children, which don’t require 4.0 Grade Point Averages or extreme athletic ability. High school students are encouraged to speak to their school counselors about resources available at the school for college planning. Army Community Service also offers Financial Readiness classes and guidance to all ID cardholders for free in Building, 2915 on Panzer Kaserne. Check out the list of scholarships below, and contact ACS for upcoming classes at DSN: 431-3362/civ. 07031-15-3362.
Stuttgart Community Spouses Club Scholarship
- Eligibility: Anyone who is a dependent of a sponsor working in the Stuttgart Community
- GPA: 3.0
- ACT/SAT Scores: Required
- Opens: November/December 2017
- For more information visit: http://stuttgartspousesclub.org/scholarships.html
DECA Commissary Scholarship
- GPA: 3.0
- Eligibility: Dependent, unmarried children
- Opens: Dec. 15
- Deadline: Feb. 16
- Where to apply: http://militaryscholar.org/sfmc/application.html
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority
- Eligibility: Graduating seniors of a Department of Defense Dependents Schools in Germany
- Essay: What do you think is the most critical societal problem for the high school class of 2018 and how do you think it can be best resolved?
- Other requirements: Two letters of recommendation
- Deadline: Feb. 28
- For more information visit: http://www.dstger.org/scholarship2018.html
Navy – Dolphin Scholarship Foundation
- Eligibility: High School seniors or current college student who are children or stepchildren of the U.S. Navy Submarine Force
- Other requirements: Supporting documents
- Deadline: Mar. 15
- For more information visit: www.dolphinscholarship.org/index.cfm/scholarships/how-to-apply
Air Force – Colonel Aaron Burgstein Memorial Scholarship
- Eligibility: Dependents of active duty or retired Air Force
- Essay: Describe your academic and personal achievements and goals, how will this scholarship help achieve your goals?
- Other requirements: Letter of recommendation and transcripts
- Opens: Dec. 1
- For more information on how to apply visit: www.afa.org/informationfor/teachers/scholarshipsteachers/burgstein
Army Scholarship Foundation
- Eligibility: Sons or daughters of regular active duty, active duty reserve, or active duty National Guard Army
- Essay: 300 words from one of the six topics
- GPA: 2.0
- Other requirements: High school transcripts
- Deadline: Apr. 15
- For more information visit http://armyscholarshipfoundation.org/index.html
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
- Eligibility: Child of active duty or reserve U.S. Marine
- GPA: 2.0
- Deadline: Mar. 1
- For more information visit: https://www.mcsf.org/apply/eligibility
16 scholarship application tips
- Apply for smaller scholarships- the money adds up
- Make sure you are eligible for the scholarship
- Follow the application directions
- Neatness counts- don’t make silly mistakes
- Keep track of deadlines
- Try to find unique scholarships- they don’t all have to based on grades
- Make copies of everything you submit
- Use a professional email, jondoe@gmail.com
- Research free scholarship search services
- Start searching now
- Be passionate and creative when writing essays
- Apply to as many scholarships as possible
- Have someone proofread your essay before submitting it
- Include letters of recommendation
- Apply for a wide variety of scholarships- don’t stick to one category
- Don’t get discouraged if you don’t win, keep applying
Also, read more about financial aid programs and assistance provided by ACS.