Alabama Promotes Post-Secondary Education Through Its Many Scholarships

When it comes to college, the state of Alabama believes the more options presented to its students, the more likely they will continue their education. Therefore, the state has set up a wide array of scholarships to help their exceptional scholars advance into meaningful careers.

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The basic state scholarship is the Academic Elite. To be considered, a high school student must have a mix of a minimum 3.8 grade point average, either a 1400 on the SAT or 32 on the ACT exam. Proof of exceptional citizenship and letters of recommendation are not necessary, but a good idea. One thing that's absolutely required is to complete an essay of 300-500 words. If awarded, the students gets a laptop computer, ,500 annually and on-campus housing paid for.

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Not every student needs to go to a four-year program, and Alabama has set up a program for those who intend to do a community school. Like the Elite, the Alabama Two-Year Scholarship is based on merit, not need, but the award varies depending on school costs involved.

Regionally, there is also the Central Alabama Community Foundation, which is open to students of Montgomery, Lowndes and Elmore Counties. Each year, the Foundation hands out a total of ,000 to students it deems deserving of some extra financial assistance.

For minority students there is the Earl P. Andrews Scholarship. Here the minimum GPA is a 3.5 and a minimum ACT score of 23 as well as the completion of an original essay about their plans after graduating. The award ranges from 0 to ,000 a year. For those who dropped out of college but desire to go back, the Jay Murphy Scholarship is also out there. The requirements here include a minimum 2.5 average and willingness to go on for a teaching degree. The Murphy will award anywhere from 0 to ,000.

As Alabama does also call itself the Heart of Dixie, it has a scholarship for anyone who can prove his or her southern heritage, the Lola B. Curry Scholarship. Sponsored by the United Daughters of the Confederacy, besides a transcript of your grades and a minimum 3.0 grade point average, you must prove direct lineage to an ancestor who fought for the Confederacy during the "war between the States." It will contribute 0 to ,000 towards an Alabama-based college.

If participating in the arts means more than whistling Dixie, the state also has a scholarship for those dreaming of careers in the creative fields. The Alabaman Junior and Community Performing Arts Scholarship is open to any student of the creative arts and is awarded through competition. While the amount is variable, it is renewable.

Alabama Promotes Post-Secondary Education Through Its Many Scholarships

While the state does offer a number of other scholarships, the last one to be discussed here is the First Generation Scholarship. It is open to any person who can prove he or she is the first person of his or her family to be going to an accredited institution. The Alabama version of this program awards 12 students ,000 each if they graduate high school with at least a 3.0 grade point average plus additional support benefits. Students applying for this scholarship, should also apply for any other ones that they think they have a chance in qualifying for. There is always the option of college loans too. Education Connection can help students find schools, degree programs, and financial aid.

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