Continental Societies, Incorporated Scholarships

2014 STUDENT APPLICATION GUIDELINES FOR

CONTINENTAL SOCIETIES, INCORPORATED

NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS

Applications available with Mrs. Smith in guidance

Continental Societies, Incorporated is a national organization whose purpose is to promote the economic, educational and social welfare of underserved and disadvantaged children and youth; to enhance their recreational activities; and to promote additional experiences necessary for their optimal development.

The organization awards five Scholarships to deserving young people – one in each of the four regions of the Societies, and one National recipient.  Applications MUST be TYPED and submitted to a Chapter Representative.  Scholarships are awarded in June.  Applications should be submitted as follows:

ELIGIBILITY

Applicant must be a graduating high school senior attending college for the first time.  Applicant must have applied to and been accepted by a four-year college or university.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Each applicant must submit an Essay (500 word minimum).  The essay should include the following:

• Long Range and Short Term Goals (Review committee must be able to clearly identify specific goals.)
• Plans for Educational Support (financial, academic, etc.).
• Statement identifying why applicant should receive the scholarship.
• Costs from the accepting institution (Tuition, room & board, and fees).
• Personal Achievements including honors and awards (School, community, church and/or employment).

The applicants must have a personal interview with the local Chapter Scholarship Committee or President, and provide a picture suitable for publication.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND REQUIREMENTS

• Letter of Graduation Substantiation from school official (principal or counselor on institution letterhead)
• Copy of College Acceptance Letter
• Official High School Transcript (must have school’s official stamp or seal) or Letter of Substantiation (as above)
• Class Rank
• Grade Point Average (GPA)
• ACT/SAT Scores
• Three Letters of Reference (one each from School Personnel, Community and Church or Employer)
• List of Memberships and Affiliations, plus Honors and Awards

APPLICANT’S CHECKLIST and ENDORSEMENTS

·         Applicants must apply through a local Continental chapter and advance through the Regional level in order to compete for the National Scholarship.

• Each applicant must complete and attach the Scholarship Application Checklist verifying all components submitted, and agreement to comply with scholarship requirements.
• The reverse side of the application provides Continental Societies, Incorporated policy statements which must be initialed or signed as indicated, by the applicant.      

GOOD LUCK!

Sons of Italy in America Scholarship

Sons of Italy in America Amici d’ Italia Lodge 2791 Scholarship

Introduction

Dear Duval County (Florida) High School Senior Scholarship Applicant:  Thank you for expressing an interest in applying for the scholarship from the Amici d’ Italia Lodge 2791 Jacksonville, Florida of the Sons of Italy in America in the amount of one thousand dollars.  Through its various local and state programs, the Sons of Italy awarded over fifty thousand dollars in scholarship funds to deserving students of Italian descent throughout Florida.

In addition to our local and state scholarship programs, our national organization also awards numerous grants each year.  Our National Leadership Grant Competition offers ten to thirteen merit-based general scholarships and one special Henry Salvatori Scholarship ranging from four to twenty five thousand dollars.  For additional information regarding the National Leadership Grant Competition please visit the national Sons of Italy website at www.osia.org.

This packet contains all the information and application forms you will need to apply for the scholarship to be awarded by our lodge.

Included in this packet are the following documents: (packets available with Mrs. Smith in guidance)

                        Introduction letter to applicants (this page)

 Eligibility Requirements

Scholarship Checklist

Scholarship Application

                    

                     Buona Fortuna!

                     Timothy M. Wright

                     Scholarship Chairman

                     Amici d’ Italia Lodge 2791

                     P.O. Box 8985

                     Jacksonville, Fl. 32239-8985

                       

Scholarship Eligibility Requirements

It is the goal of the Order of the Sons of Italy in America to promote, enhance and encourage the study of Italian Heritage and Culture.  This scholarship program is designed to benefit worthy students of Italian descent attending high school in Duval County Florida that display academic excellence and leadership abilities.  Scholarships will be awarded on the basis of eligibility, scholastic achievement, participation in extracurricular activities (school and community programs) and essay submission. 

Association or membership in the Order of the Sons of Italy in America is not a prerequisite to apply, however the applicant must be of Italian descent.

Applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 3.00 (not weighted)

Applicants must have a minimum SAT total score of 1000 or must have an ACT composite score of 23.

Recipients must be accepted as a full-time student into an accredited community college, college or university and enroll immediately following graduation from high school.

Scholarship funds will not be released to any school until the Lodge Scholarship Chairperson receives a letter of acceptance from an accredited school and the recipient notifies the Chairperson in writing of his/her intent to enroll in the Fall Semester.  Funds for the recipients will be mailed directly to the school Bursar or Financial Aid Office of choice, with instructions that the funds may be used for any expenses processed through their office for the benefit of the recipient.  Scholarship recipients who are accepted by one school and decide to attend another school other than the one originally selected must immediately notify the Lodge Scholarship Chairperson so the funds may be transferred to the appropriate institution. 

Unused funds in the account must be returned to the Amici d’ Italia Lodge 2791 Jacksonville Florida upon either of the following:

The recipient ceases to attend classes for whatever reason and does not immediately transfer to another institution.

The recipient withdraws from school and does not immediately transfer to another school.

All funds returned to the lodge will be incorporated into the funds for the following year’s award.    

Scholarship Application Checklist

In order to be considered for the scholarship, you must complete and return this checklist and attached application postmarked no later than March 31, 2016.  You must also include an official High School transcript, a copy of your SAT or ACT test scores and an essay on one of the two topics. 

_____________________________________________________________________________

   You must include the following:

•             Section I of the application

•             Section II of the application

•              Terms of Application        

•              You must include one of the following documents:

                                     Copy of SAT scores

                                     Copy of ACT Composite scores

•              Official High School Transcript

______________________________________________________________________________

The applicant also must include a signed essay of no less than 250 and no more than 500 words.  The essay will be judged by educational professionals and designated board members on the ability of the candidate to express thoughts, opinions and ideas with the level of scholastic competence expected of a high school senior or an incoming college freshman.  The applicant will compose the essay on one of the following topics:

“The Importance of Celebrating Our Italian Heritage in America”

“Who do You Believe is The Most Influential Italian-American of the 20^th Century and Why”

Florida Youth Leadership Forum

For High School Students with Disabilities!

Applications for the 2016 Florida Youth Leadership Forum (YLF)

ARE DUE THIS WEEK!

Good morning!

Applications for the 2016 Florida Youth Leadership Forum are due this Saturday, January 30. 

In the coming weeks we will send out post cards to the students you have nominated, letting them know that we are processing their paperwork.  All students will be notified of their final status before the end of February. 

YLF is a five-day leadership event for high school students with disabilities and will take place July 20-24, 2016.  Event highlights include:

·        Day at the Capitol  

·        College Resource and Career Exploration Seminars

·        Networking Luncheon

·        Business Etiquette Training

·        Disability History & Sensitivity Seminars

·        Community Service Project

·        Small Group Activities

THIS IS A FREE EVENT!

All costs (transportation, room, board, etc.) will be paid by The Able Trust.

Visit www.abletrust.org and search under Youth Programs to access the online application.

The deadline for completed applications is January 30, 2016!