Scholarships In Sacramento Making A Difference
Sacramento is the bustling capital of one of the largest states in the country, but it is also a college town at heart. And while colleges in Sacramento number in the double-digits, many potential students need a bit of assistance to pay for academic necessities such as tuition, books and housing. Luckily, there are a wide variety of grants and scholarships available, with criteria including the intended field of study, grade point average, ethnic background and the student's family history in the armed services.
The following are just a few of the many Sacramento scholarships available for 2013. Applications for almost all scholarships must be turned in by mid-April.
The Benny Goodman Foundation Scholarship
www.sacregcf.org
Students with music in their hearts can apply for this scholarship, established in honor of the great bandleader known as the King of Swing. To be considered, the applicant must be currently attending one of the University of California campuses and majoring in music with an emphasis in classical or jazz. Maintaining at least a 3.0 G.P.A. in music classes is a key part of earning the renewable, annual scholarships of $1,000 to $3,500.
This is designed for those who plan a career in music. With a bow to Goodman's impressive body of work, students who play the clarinet will be given preference. Part of the application process includes writing an essay about your life with music. Get it done before the April 22, 2013 deadline and don't be afraid to toot your own horn a bit.
The Mark McCollum "Ride On" Scholarship
www.sacregcf.org
Mark McCollum earned a degree in civil engineering at Sacramento State University, and the scholarship created in his honor is for those who would follow a similar path. CSUS undergraduates working for a degree in engineering or construction may apply, as long as they can maintain at least a cumulative 2.5 G.P.A.
The amount of money can vary but will be at least $1,000 to $2,000, which is paid directly to the school to cover expenses such as tuition, books and other college fees. In order to get the scholarship, the student must take a minimum of 12 academic units per quarter or semester over the one-year period. Applications are due by April 22, 2013.
The Sacramento Press Club Scholarships
www.sacpressclub.org
The Sacramento Press club is a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping the next generation of professional journalists learn their craft. The club has seven scholarships available to students in 2013, with a total of $34,000 being offered. The scholarships come in varying dollar amounts and each is done in honor of a different local journalist from the past and present.
Applications are due no later than April 5, 2013, and rewards are made based on economic need, G.P.A., journalism experience and writing skills.
Past recipients of Press Club scholarships have gone on to successful careers in the field. Meghann Farnsworth, a winner in 2006, worked on "The News Hour with Jim Lehrer" after graduating with her degree from University of California, Berkeley. Farnsworth is currently the senior manager of distribution and online engagement at the Center for Investigating Reporting.
Another winner, Nik Bonovich, is a political writer and has worked as an election polling analyst for ABC News. He is currently working as a senior analyst for EMC Research Inc., a Washington D.C. firm that does polling, focus groups and public opinion research consulting.
Valerie Heimerich is a freelance writer out of Sacramento. She typically covers animals and community issues. She has volunteered and worked for many organizations helping animals and people.
Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
