Ann Milkovich, 12, of Huntington Beach, Calif., for her question:
HOW DO YOU APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS?
Back in the 1930s it was estimated that 72,000 scholarships and fellowships were available to college students
in the United States. A cash value of about $11 million was placed on the grants. Today more than $98 million is available, with awards going to about 300,000 students. Scholarships range in value from $100 to $1,500 a year.
Grants of either money or free college tuition are available to lots of students these days. They are awarded on the basis of achievement, ability or financial need.
Ask your teacher about scholarships. Quite often you'll have to wait until you are in high school before you can take serious steps toward applying for a scholarship. Guidance counselors in most high schools usually have full details on all available educational grants.
Most private universities and colleges have established scholarship programs that honor outstanding academic achievements and intellectual abilities. Many are designed to promote study in special fields. Contact your favorite school and ask about scholarships.
In 1955 the National Merit Scholarships were established. It has become the largest independently supported scholarship program in the country. The plan is administered by the National Merit Scholarship Corp. of Evanston, I11. By the early 1970s more than $78 million had been put into the program by foundations, corporations and colleges, with the Ford Foundation providing $20 million and the Carnegie Corp. $500,000.
Each year about 3,300 merit scholars are chosen from about 750,000 high school seniors across the nation taking the examination in their junior years. A board of business sponsors and education experts makes the final selections. The board studies each student's test score as well as his school records, his participation in community and school affairs and his character and leadership abilities.
The number of National Merit Scholarships available each year to each state is based roughly on the number of high school seniors in the state.
Overseas study is available through international study programs. Rhodes scholarships and Fulbright scholarships provide numerous openings. Check with your school's counselor to find out how you might apply for one of these awards.
Once you are out of college, you'll discover that many endowed foundations and government agencies have provided funds for advance study and research. Grants of this type are called fellowships rather than scholarships. Guidance leaders in your college will be able to tell you how you can apply for these grants.