Preparing for the Future—Planning for Scholarships
If you are an incoming freshman to Tennessee State University or a returning undergraduate or graduate student, you can start preparing yourself for scholarships that will open in the future.
If you are entering college or continuing your education at the high school level, then Fall 2017 is the time to search out scholarships and see what it is within your power to do.
If one of the scholarships requires a 3.0 and you earn a 2.3 during Fall 2017, then you are moving towards a 3.0. Progress, even setbacks, are opportunities to see what you can do to move forward or correct present action to bring about different, future results.
Now, you may not know it, but as mentioned before, several scholarships require no GPA, and some require a minimum GPA of 2.0 or 2.5 or higher.
The Shawn Carter (Jay-Z) Foundation, which opens in April 2018, requires a minimum 2.0 GPA. Of course, those with higher GPAs can also apply and are encouraged to apply.
Scholarship America: Be Aware of Open and Opening Soon Scholarships
https://scholarshipamerica.org/what-we-do/students-parents/open-scholarships/
Scholarship America administers scholarship programs nationwide and regionally. The clue is to visit and see if there are any open scholarships that you can apply for.
Next, explore Scholarships Opening Soon. These are arranged in alphabetical order, so go through the names and see which scholarships are opening soon that you can apply for.
Write down the name, cut and paste the link, and save it under the month and year it will open as well as close in your Scholarship List. For example,
August 2017
https://scholarshipamerica.org/what-we-do/students-parents/open-scholarships/
Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway Promotion and Contest, up to $100,000
Opening Aug 2017—
check at https://www.drpeppertuition.com/ around August 2017 and read the Official Rules to have the best chance
From webpage: “If you’re a student between the ages of 18-24, you can submit your One Of A Kind story to enter for the chance to compete to win up to $100,000 in tuition. You’ll be eligible to submit a video once you reach 50 votes.
Dr Pepper will select finalists for a chance to compete to win up to $100,000 in tuition at a college football championship game. Find more information at http://www.drpeppertuition.com.”
I go to the website to explore further: https://www.drpeppertuition.com/faq
Guess on dates from past dates above and put them on your Scholarship List or Scholarship Calendar.
October 2017
Submit videos, most likely around Oct 17, 2017—Dr. Pepper
Dec 2017
Many finalists will be chosen in early Dec 2017—scholarship is connected with my goals and the college football season—Dr. Pepper Tuition Giveaway
There are many more scholarships at Scholarship America, some open to high school seniors, college undergraduates, returning students, all different criteria. Explore this list.
More Chances at Scholarship America
Explore the scholarships at Scholarship America to see what you can apply for.
If you are already in college, the Scholarship America Dream Award for sophomores, juniors, and seniors in college opens October 2017.
https://scholarshipamerica.org/dreamaward/
Selected criteria from website:
“To apply for the Dream Award, students must:
- Have received a high school diploma or equivalent from a U.S. school
- Be planning to complete a minimum of one full year of postsecondary education by the end of the current academic year
- Plan to enroll in full-time undergraduate study at the sophomore-year level or higher at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school in the United States for the entire upcoming academic year
- Have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or its equivalent)
- Be U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent resident (holders of a Permanent Resident Card), or individuals granted deferred action status under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals Program (DACA)”
Some Scholarships You Can Prepare For
Some of these scholarships pertain to regional or particular school attended. Some do not. I will list some pertinent information but not all. You will have to go to the websites to see the full criteria. You may have to visit them closer to the opening dates.
Many of these I have written about, but I want you to start preparing yourself now for the opportunity.
https://tmcf.org/our-scholarships
Thurgood Marshall College Fund, ongoing
By clicking on the Full List, you can review all the scholarships offered.
TMCF administers scholarships to 47 HBCUs (TSU is one of them). Since the TMCF administers 500 scholarships, I advise you check back every two weeks to see what is open, but if you are close to the beginning of Fall 2017 semester, I would check back every week.
Many people fail to review the criteria for each scholarship. For example, in the general criteria listed for TMCF scholarships, 3.0 out of a 4.0 is listed.
However, this is the general criteria, and I have seen scholarships with minimum GPA of 2.0 or 2.5.
Check each scholarship. Also, while TMCF scholarships often go to students at one of 47 HBCUs, I have seen them administer scholarships that could apply to an HBCU or another school. It is important to read all the criteria for each scholarship.
http://scarlettfoundation.org/Scholarships/
Scarlett Family Foundation Scholarship, opening Sept 15, 2017
Graduated high school (or GED) from one of the forty eligible counties in Middle TN; demonstrated financial need; GPA 2.5 or higher; Pursuing a business or STEM approved degree at a 4 yr. non-profit college or university, and planning to enroll full-time in the fall of 2018
Awards from $2,500 to $15,00 per academic year
http://bryancollinsscholarship.org/about-the-program/
$2,000 Bryan A. Collins Memorial Scholarship, Deadline: Mar 1, 2018
Undergraduate student at TSU, involved in extra-curricular or campus activities outside the classroom, demonstrating leadership in such activities; minimum GPA of 3.0 or better on a 4.0 scale; at least one faculty recommendation
https://www.cfmt.org/grants-scholarships/scholarships/search-scholarships/
Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee scholarships, administers over 100 different scholarships, usually opens around Jan 2018, deadline is Mar 15, 2018
Some you may not know about:
Emmett H. Turner Scholarship Fund, “Applicants must be attending Tennessee State University and majoring in the criminal justice program.”
Teddy Wilburn Scholarship Fund, “Country music singer, Grand Ole Opry star, songwriter and manager Teddy Wilburn established a Fund through his estate to help others enjoy the opportunities made available by a college education. With his singing career beginning at age nine, Teddy never had the chance to attend college and wanted to help eager students in need of financial aid. The Fund benefits college students at Tennessee State University and Vanderbilt University.”
Other Community Foundation Scholarships all Over America
http://www.cof.org/community-foundation-locator
Not from the Middle Tennessee area. Then, use this Community Foundation Locator at the link above to find a community foundation close to your permanent residence and see what scholarships may be available.
https://www.shawncartersf.com/scholarship-fund/
Shawn Carter Foundation Scholarship, opens April 1, 2018 and closes April 30, 2018
Open to high school seniors, students with GED diplomas, undergraduate (2 year or 4 year) college students, and students at vocational or trade schools; US citizen or permanent resident; 25 years or younger; minimum 2.0 GPA
Scholarship Tigers--Students Helping Each Other Find Money for College 
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