Non-Program Specific

College JumpStart Scholarship Program

The College JumpStart Scholarship is an annual, merit-based competition -- financial need is not considered -- that is open to 10th-12th graders, college students and non-traditional students. The first place prize is a $1,000 scholarship to help cover educational expenses.

Eligibility Criteria:

• High school 10th-12th grader, college student or non-traditional student;
• U.S. citizen or legal resident;
• Attend or plan to attend an accredited 2-year, 4-year or vocational/trade school in the U.S.
• Be committed to using education to better your life and that of your family and/or community.

Deadline: April 15, 2021 and October 15, 2021

Application: http://www.jumpstart-scholarship.net/
______________________________________________________________________________

College Now-Adult Learner Program Scholarship

College Now provides scholarship opportunities to adult students age 19 and above who have interrupted their education for at least one year or more and who are pursuing a non-degree certificate or license in a vocational or technical program, an associate’s degree or first bachelor’s degree.  
If selected, the scholarship can be renewed for up to five years or ten (10) semesters or until recipient completes their bachelor's degree program; whichever occurs first. The scholarship will be sent to your academic institution starting in the Spring 2021 term.

REQUIREMENTS

Eligible Applicants Must Be...

1. Age 19 or older as of September 1, 2021 and must have graduated from high school or have successfully earned their G.E.D.
2. Must have interrupted their education for at least one (1) calendar year since high school graduation or during college.
3. Qualify or show eligibity for the Federal Pell Grant (EFC on FAFSA 5711 or less).
4. Must be attending school in and a resident of one of the following counties: Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Mahoning, Medina, Portage, Stark, Summit, Trumbull, or Wayne County. Students taking only online classes at a school outside of these counties are also eligible.
5. Pursuing a non-degree certificate or license in a vocational or technical program that is 3 months to 2 years in length, a first associate’s degree or first bachelor’s degree in an eligible two or four-year program. Individuals already having obtained a bachelor’s degree are not eligible.
6. Must be attending a public or private not-for-profit college or university
7. Enroll at least half-time (six [6] or more credit hours or its equivalent) per term in a Pell-eligible degree-seeking program for the 2021/2022 academic year.
8. Applicants must have earned a minimum 2.5 cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) from either high school or post-secondary if the applicant has been enrolled in school (secondary or post-secondary) within the past five (5) years.  If selected, you will need to maintain the minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA while receiving the scholarship.
9. Special consideration will be given to applicants 25 or older who have completed at least 25 credit hours (sophomore status), and are attending a 4-year institution within 50 miles of Cleveland.

In addition to the online form, you must submit the following to complete your application for consideration:
 

1.   Two 250-word essays

            Essay 1: in 250 words, please answer the following questions:
                 -Why do you want to attend college?
                 -What personal goals do you hope to meet by attending college?
                 -What do you plan to do with your education?

            Essay 2: In 250 words, tell the story of an obstacle you overcame (or didn't).
                          What did you learn from the experience?             
 

1.   Your most recent official or unofficial academic transcript, if enrolled in college                                 within the last five years.
2.   A copy of your 2021/2022 Student Aid Report (SAR) from studentaid.gov
3.   Financial Aid Award Letter for the upcoming year, when available. 

Supporing documents can be sent to the following:

MAILING ADDRESS:
College Now Greater Cleveland
ATTN: ALP Scholarship
Post Office Plaza
1500 W. 3rd Street, Suite 125
Cleveland, OH 44113

Email:Lkannard@collegenowgc.org
Fax: 216.241.6184 (to the attention of ALP)
 
Application: Click Here
______________________________________________________________________________

 

Fastweb

Fastweb matches students with scholarship opportunities based on your personal information.
You can create a profile and search for scholarships here: https://www.fastweb.com/college-scholarships
______________________________________________________________________________

Foster Care to Success Scholarship

All Foster Care to Success scholarships share one application; we will determine the program(s) for which you are eligible based on the information you provide.
 
Eligibility Criteria:

• Have been in public or private foster care for the 12 consecutive months leading up to and including your 18th birthday; OR have been adopted or placed into legal guardianship after your 16th birthday; OR have been orphaned for at least one year at the time of your 18th birthday and not subsequently adopted
• Be under the age of 25 on March 31 of the year in which you apply if you have not previously received scholarship funding from Foster Care to Success
• Have been in foster care or orphaned while living in the United States.  U.S. citizenship is not required.

• Have been accepted into or expect to be accepted into an accredited, Pell-eligible college or other postsecondary school

Deadline: March 31, 2021
 
Application: https://studentportal.fc2sprograms.org/login
______________________________________________________________________________

Horatio Alger Endowment Fund Career & Technical Scholarship
The Career & Technical Scholarship Program is funded through the Horatio Alger Endowment Fund and the generosity of Association Chairman Emeritus and Endowment Fund President Walter Scott, Jr. Scholarships are awarded to students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their lives who wish to pursue a career or technical education at an accredited non-profit post-secondary institution in the United States.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Have completed high school (or earned a high school equivalency credential)
• Will be enrolled in an eligible program in Fall 2021
• Exhibit a strong commitment to pursue and complete a career or technical program (up to 2 years) at an accredited non-profit post-secondary institution in the United States
• Demonstrated critical financial need (must be eligible to receive the Federal Pell grant as determined by completion of the FAFSA)
• Demonstrated perseverance in overcoming adversity
• Be under the age of 30
• Be a United States citizen

Funds may be used for tuition, fees, books and supplies. All scholarship funds are paid directly to the institution on behalf of the recipient.

Deadline: Rolling. The application will open online 3/15/21 for students enrolling in Fall 2021.

Application: www.horatioalger.org
______________________________________________________________________________

Jeannette Rankin Fund (JRF) Scholarship

Each year, Jeannette Rankin Fund awards scholarships to low-income women, ages 35 and older, who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents pursuing an undergraduate education at an accredited college or university in the United States.
 Eligibility Criteria:

• A woman, age 35 or older
• Low-income
• A U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the United States
• Pursuing a technical or vocational education, an associate's degree or a first bachelor's degree
• Enrolled in, or accepted to, a regionally or ACICS accredited school

Deadline: March 17, 2021 (application available beginning Nov 1, 2021)
 
Application: https://rankinfoundation.org/for-students
______________________________________________________________________________

 ALCOA Fund Scholarship

To provide scholarship support for underserved and underrepresented populations (African-American or Hispanic students) who are graduates of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District or a Catholic school in Greater Cleveland (preferably Cuyahoga County).
 
Eligibility Criteria:

• African-American or Hispanic student who is a graduate of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District or a Catholic school in Greater Cleveland
• Minimum grade-point average of 3.0
• Enrolled or currently attending a vocational training program within the state of Ohio to prepare students for gainful employment in a recognized profession.
• Demonstrate financial need

 Deadline: March 15, 2021
 
Application: https://www.clevelandfoundation.org/scholarship/alcoa-fund-scholarship/
 
______________________________________________________________________________

 
American Indian College Fund Scholarship

The Full Circle scholarship is awarded through the American Indian College Fund, which provides scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students attending any accredited public and non-profit private college all across the United States.

Eligibility Criteria:

• U.S. citizens or Canadians eligible to attend college in the U.S. under provisions of the Jay Treaty
• Enrolled in a certificate, associates, bachelors, or graduate program at an accredited tribal, public, or private (non-profit) college or university
• Full-time enrollment
• Registered as an enrolled member of a federal or state recognized tribe, or a descendant of at least one grandparent or parent who is an enrolled tribal member; Alaska Natives may use Native Corporation membership. You can use this website to trace Indian ancestry.
• To be considered for any American Indian College Fund scholarship, you must have at least a 2.0 GPA to apply. Once awarded, depending on donor criteria, your scholarship may have a higher GPA to maintain eligibility. You can use this online tool to calculate your current or cumulative GPA.

Deadline: May 31, 2021 for the Fall Term.
Application: http://collegefund.org/student-resources/scholarships/how-to-apply/?_ga=2.72174868.626171454.1507585389-574543253.1507585389
______________________________________________________________________________

Junior League of Cleveland Scholarship

The JLC provides scholarship support for non-traditional women students ages 17 and older, seeking the opportunity to gain further education and/or career training.  The scholarship is open to women in the greater Cleveland area.
 
Eligibility: 

• A woman whose education was interrupted, preventing her from continuing to college after completing high school or requiring her to get a GED.
• A woman whose education was interrupted and is seeking a non-traditional career (e.g., computer programmer, skilled construction worker, chef, engineer, etc.).
• A woman whose education was interrupted and whose life responsibilities, such as work and/or family responsibilities, require her to pursue her post-high school education on an unconventional schedule.
• A woman who was placed in either a foster home or a group home setting as a minor. These students may apply even if their education was not interrupted.
• Applicants must be at least 17 years old. THERE IS NO AGE CAP.
• Applicants must be permanent residents of the following Ohio Counties: Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Erie, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Medina or Trumbull.

Deadline: March 1, 2022
 
Application: https://www.jlcleveland.org/jlc-scholarship/
______________________________________________________________________________

Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation-Child of a Marine

We’re committed to supporting Marine children in pursuit of their educational goals and there’s no more versatile educational path than through Career and Technical Education (CTE). From health sciences to finance, IT to manufacturing, CTE professionals are on the cutting edge of today’s most hands-on careers. This scholarship is for students planning to attend a non-degree certificate program or vocational training that is 12 months or less at a community college or private career school listed on College Navigator (Polaris Qualifies).

Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must be the child of one of the following:

• Active duty, reserve, or veteran U.S. Marine*
• A Marine killed while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps
• Active duty, reserve, or veteran U.S. Navy Corpsman who is/was attached to a U.S. Marine unit*
• A Navy Corpsman attached to a Marine unit that was killed while serving in the U.S. Navy

 
*Veterans must have received an honorable discharge. A discharge status of other, general,  under honorable conditions, dishonorable, etc. are not eligible for an award.
 
Additionally, applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• GPA of at least 2.00 (on a 4.00 scale)
• Family adjusted gross income for the 2019 tax year that does not exceed $100,000. Non-taxable allowances are not included in the adjusted gross income
• Attending or planning to attend a college or career training school listed on the National Center for Education Statistic’s College Navigator website in the 2020-21 academic year (Polaris Qualifies).

Deadline: Rolling.

Application: https://www.mcsf.org/cte/

____________________________________________________________________________