4/10/15

Top 15 Little-Known Scholarships For Women

#1 – Executive Women International Scholarship Program: Offers scholarships to both male and female outstanding high school seniors who plan to pursue a four-year college degree program. Scholarships are based on academics, extracurricular activities, leadership and communication skills.

#2 – Linda Lael Miller Scholarships for Women: For women age 25 or older who want to complete their education. Candidates must complete a 500-word essay that explains the reasons for applying for the scholarship, how the funds will be used, and how the scholarship award will help them with their education and career goals.

#3 – Society of Women Engineers (SWE) Scholarships: For women pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees in the areas of engineering, engineering technology and computer science. Female students must be attending accredited colleges or universities and preparing for careers in technical fields.

#4 – Joe Francis Haircare Scholarship: Named after Joe Francis (1933-1994), the founder of several hair care franchises, this scholarship is for women (and men) applying for entrance into Cosmetology/Barber School, OR actively enrolled in a Cosmetology/Barber program. An application must be submitted, as well as a one-page essay, and one or two letters or recommendation.

#5 – NFRW’s Betty Rendel Scholarship: These awards go to three female undergraduates each year who are attending a four-year accredited college or university and majoring in political science, government or economics. It is open to women across the nation.

#6 – Women’s Independence Scholarship Program: Helps women who have survived domestic violence to return to school and become self-sufficient. The primary candidates are single mothers with young children who lack the resources to attend college. It is based on financial need.

#7 – Young Women in Public Affairs Award: For young women age 16 to 19 with an interest in public affairs who plan to enroll in college. Interested students must be knowledgeable about Zonta, have experience in local or student government, and generally be active in volunteer work.

#8 – At the Well Young Women’s Leadership Academy Scholarship: These scholarships are available to help students attend a summer program at Princeton University, and is geared towards building leadership skills for minority girls entering the tenth, eleventh, or twelfth grades of high school.

#9 – Miss America Scholarship Fund: Offers scholarships to over 12,000 young women who compete in the state and local competitions as well as Miss America first place winner, four runners-up, semi-finalists and non-finalists.

#10 – Go Red Multicultural Scholarship Fund For Women: This program champions greater inclusion of multicultural women in the nursing and medical industries, address important gaps in treatment, and ensure that all Americans have an opportunity to work with their healthcare providers to make the best choices that lead to good health.

#11 – National Student Nurses’ Association Scholarships: Awarded to students currently enrolled in a nursing degree program. Eligible students must be enrolled in a state-approved nursing program that leads to a LPN or RN licensing.

#12 – Women in Federal Law Enforcement (WIFLE) Scholarship Program: Open to undergraduate, graduate and post-graduate female students interested in a career in law enforcement. Eligible students may major in criminal justice, social sciences, public administration, computer science, finance, chemistry, and physics.

#13 – Sara Scholarship: Available to female high school seniors who plan to attend college and are active in golf. The renewable scholarship is awarded to 12 deserving female students each year. Students must have excellent academic skills and demonstrate financial need.

#14 – Job’s Daughters Supreme Scholarships: Offers several different scholarships for single female students who are members of Job’s Daughters or whose parents are Job’s Daughters members. Applicants can be high school seniors, graduates or currently attending technical school or college.

#15 – Google Anita Borg Memorial Scholarship: Open to female undergraduate seniors or female students enrolled in a graduate program and studying Computer Science or Computer Engineering.

4/2/15

Buy Here

  



Amazon.com

BarnesandNoble.com

ncmpublishing.com




IUPUI Bookstore Barnes and Noble
Indianapolis, IN

Mount Carmel Baptist Church Bookstore
9610 East 42nd Street, Indianapolis, IN

Eskenazi Health Hospital - Gift Shop
Indianapolis, IN

3/30/15

Busey Scholarship


NEW Scholarship!

Deadline:  April 30, 2015
Amount: $1000
Busey Community Reinvestment Act Advisory Committee Scholarship

Link to application:  http://www.busey.com/home/fiFiles/static/documents/CRA_IN.pdf


Good Luck!

3/20/15

Black Pearls Blog Tours: Intimate Conversation with Shay Spivey

Black Pearls Blog Tours: Intimate Conversation with Shay Spivey, financial ...: Intimate Conversation with Shay Spivey Shay Spivey, BSW, MSW  is a scholarship and financial aid advisor specializing in helping students...

Featured Article: EDC Magazine

Check this out!

Shay Spivey, author of "How to Submit a Winning Scholarship Application", 
featured on EDC Magazine - Black Pearls Blog Tours!

Article:
Intimate Conversation with Shay Spivey, Financial Aid Advisor
Article @ fb.me/1UqwOfEac


2/18/15

New Financial Aid Resource Guides

New Financial Aid Resource Guides!
Learn more at:

1. 
How to Submit a Winning Scholarship Application 
Link: amzn.to/Wrnot7 

2. 
How to Find Scholarships and Free Financial Aid for Private High Schools:
Link:  www.amazon.com/Find-Scholarships-Financial-Private-Schools/dp/099157608X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1424101056&sr=8-1



2/6/15

Big Gap in College Graduation Rates for Rich and Poor, Study Finds

Big Gap in College Graduation Rates for Rich and Poor, Study Finds
New Report from the University of Pennsylvania and the Pell Institute for Study of Opportunity in Higher Education

College completion rates are soaring among wealthy students, but there’s a disturbing trend among students from low-income families.

By 
MELISSA KORN
Updated Feb. 3, 2015 7:53 p.m. ET

College completion rates for wealthy students have soared in 40 years but barely budged for low-income students, leading to a yawning gap in educational attainment between rich and poor that could have long-lasting implications for the socioeconomic divide.

In 2013, 77% of adults from families in the top income quartile earned at least bachelor’s degrees by the time they turned 24, up from 40% in 1970, according to a new report from the University of Pennsylvania’s Alliance for Higher Education and Democracy and the Pell Institute for the Study of Opportunity in Higher Education. But 9% of people from the lowest income bracket did the same in 2013, up from 6% in 1970.

“Education is one of the levers that we have in place to address income inequality. It offers the promise of achieving the American dream,” said Laura Perna, executive director of the Penn program. Yet the study’s findings suggest that “education isn’t fully living up to this promise.”
One small sign of progress is that more poor students are enrolling in college than they did 40 years ago. Forty-five percent of dependent 18- to 24-year-olds from the lowest income quartile—with family income of $34,160 or less—enrolled in college in 2012, up from 28% in 1970. While the college enrollment rate of the highest-income students—with family income of $108,650 or more—also increased, to 81% from 74%, the gap between the two did shrink.

Still, most of the poor students who pursue college degrees fail to make it all the way to graduation. About one in five college students from the lowest income bracket completed a bachelor’s degree by age 24 in 2013, about flat with the 1970 figure. Among students from top-earning families, meanwhile, 99% of students who enrolled completed their degrees, up from 55% in 1970.

College access has been a major area of focus for the federal government and individual schools, with such initiatives as free campus visits and application assistance for low-income students. The Obama administration’s fiscal 2016 budget plan calls for $860 million to fund its major college-readiness programs, as well as more than $300 million for GEAR UP, which targets low-income students specifically.

But keeping poor students on track once they’re at college remains a challenge. That’s due in part to academic issues, since those students’ high schools may not have prepared them for the rigors of a college course load, as well as financial ones.

Federal Pell Grants, which are directed to the neediest students, have been covering a smaller share of overall college costs in recent years. While the maximum amount, $4,690, took care of more than half the bill for average tuition, room and board in 1974, Pell funding has remained fairly flat. In 2012, the maximum $5,550 award covered just 27% of those expenses.

While the report focuses on college access and completion, one thing it doesn’t cover is whether there would be jobs for those students if everyone actually got a bachelor’s degree, said Neal McCluskey, associate director of the Center for Educational Freedom at the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank.

“If we were to get everybody through a bachelor’s degree, where in the workforce would they be absorbed?” he asked, noting that many current college graduates are already working in jobs that don’t require such degrees.

Link:  http://www.wsj.com/articles/big-gap-in-college-graduation-rates-for-rich-and-poor-study-finds-1422997677

12/21/14

Financial Access to Education Project


PROJECT
Financial Access to Education Project

WEBSITE
Financialaccesstoeducation.blogspot.com

MISSION
Donating scholarship and financial aid guides to under-served public high schools.


PROJECT SUMMARY
Financial aid and scholarship education is needed in under-served public high schools.

The problem:
Many students cannot afford to attend college but qualify for financial aid.  Unfortunately, most students do not understand the application process?  Financial aid and scholarship education is missing in our under-served public high schools.  Students know that earning a college degree would change their lives for the better, but face major financial barriers.  Students and parents interested in attending college desperately want to understand and apply for college scholarships but lack the guidance.

The Solution:
Now there is an easy-to-ready guide about applying for scholarships and financial aid for high school and college students, families, teachers, counselors and anyone interested in learning more about free money to pay for college.

Valuable Guide:
How to Submit a Winning Scholarship Application: Secret Techniques I Used to Win $100,000 in College Scholarships (2014) was written by a social worker that shares her proven tips and techniques that helped her win on $100,000 in college scholarships and free financial aid toward her own undergraduate and graduate degrees.  

Following is the table of contents:
  • Is College Worth it?
  • The Importance of Scholarships and Free Financial Aid 
  • Understanding Scholarships and Free Financial Aid
  • Ten Tips & Techniques for Submitting a Winning Scholarship Application
  • Technique #1 - Start Early
  • Technique #2 - Get Organized
  • Technique #3 - Where to Find Scholarships
  • Technique #4 - The Personal Statement
  • Technique #5 - Letter of Recommendation
  • Technique #6 - Academic Resume
  • Technique #7 – Order Your Transcripts
  • Technique #8 - Follow Instructions/Meet the Deadline
  • Technique #9 - Community Service and Volunteer Experience
  • Technique #10 - Always Say Thank You
  • Addressing Challenges
  • What to Avoid
  • Resources
WHAT WE DO
Funding will go towards purchasing and distributing books to under-served public high schools, where they are most needed.  One book will be donated to a high school library, media center, or college resource center for use by students, families, teachers, counselors and anyone interested in learning more about free money to pay for college.

In addition, the book donation will include a letter highlighting the donation and the donors.


A NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
As a scholarship winner and first generation college graduate, I have developed proven tips and techniques that helped me win over $100,000 in college scholarships and free financial aid. As a proven expert and professional consultant in my respective field, I am devoted to helping others find, apply, and win free money to go to college.  That is why it is important to get this guide into the hands of the people who need it the most: Students.

Response to a need
I saw a need for scholarship and financial aid education in under-served public high schools for students in need of financial aid to attend college.  In response, I wrote a book that breaks down the scholarship application process in an easy-to-read format.  I am a new author and a professional social worker.  I work for the love of helping others. 

I wish I had this book when I was graduating from a public high school and trying to figure out a way to pay for college.  I wish I had this book before I ever signed a student loan contract.  If I had the extra personal funds today I would put this book in the hands of every student that needed it.  That is where YOU come in.  Please help me in my effort to change the world by helping students financially access education.


BUDGET
$1,000 from the Awesome Foundation will support 50 book donations.

$14.99 per book

$1.05 7% sales tax per book

$3.99 Shipping and handling per book


Subtotal = $20.03 book donation

12/15/14

Wealth Gap Widens

Question: 
Why are   important?

Answer: 
Massive wealth gap between whites and other racial and ethnic groups has reached record levels. 


________________________________________________________________

Link:  money.cnn.com/2014/12/12/news/economy/wealth-by-race-pew/

The Great Recession hit all Americans hard, but only whites have seen their wealth rise during the recent recovery.

And that's widening the already massive wealth gap between whites and other racial and ethnic groups to near record levels.  

White households' median wealth ticked up to $141,900 in 2013, up 2.4% from three years earlier, according to a Pew Research Center report released Friday.

Net worth for black households dropped by a third during that time to $11,000. Hispanic families experienced a 14% decline in wealth to $13,700.

Whites have 13 times the net worth of blacks, the largest wealth gap that's existed since George H.W. Bush was president in 1989. The ratio of net worth between whites and 

Hispanics now stands at more than 10, the widest it has been since 2001...

12/6/14

2014 Indianapolis Recorder Article

Link: 
http://www.indianapolisrecorder.com/education/article_754cd212-7bc5-11e4-9429-3378c3f36fb8.html#.VIMXoYEor9s.twitter


Indianapolis Recorder
Thursday, December 4, 2014

Indy native nets $100K in college scholarships

More than five years ago, Shay Spivey of Indianapolis juggled two young children and a low-paying job with very little opportunity to advance.

She desired to return to college to earn a bachelor’s degree after failing to complete her program several years ago following high school. However, every employment position she desired required a college degree, which Spivey knew she couldn’t afford at the time.

After countless hours of research she was awarded over $100,000 in scholarships to continue her education. Today Spivey holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree and works as a mental health and addictions counselor.

Recently, she released her book, "How to Submit A Winning Scholarship Application - Secret Techniques I used to Win $100,000 in College Scholarships" and the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper got a chance to chat with her about her scholarship journey.

What was your initial purpose of seeking scholarships?
Were you in a financially unstable situation or were you simply looking for alternative ways to pay for your higher education?

For me it was no money, no college. Honestly, my situation was being a single parent and working at a low income job. I really wanted to get my degree. I felt stagnant, going nowhere with no opportunities.

How did your search process begin?

With two kids and finance issues, I knew paying out of pocket wasn’t an option so I started researching. I used to spend my lunch break at the library and I always had a book in my hand. As I started reading I realized I truly didn’t know much about scholarships. I started a year in advance and said I was going to give it my all.

Did you believe you would be rewarded more than $100,000?

No, I had no idea and was awarded the money over a course of time. I always encourage people to not skip over the small scholarships. The smaller ones are worth it too and add up. Most people look at those and think they aren’t worth their time so as a result; many people aren’t applying for them. I had quite a few $500 scholarships but a secret I talk about in the book is maintaining a relationship with scholarship organizations. Some key organizations gave me money year after year.

What type of effort and time did it take?

I treated it like a part-time job in the evenings. Eventually I had to map out time because I was in school but needed to begin preparing for the following year. As I got going it was an hour in the evening five days a week. A lot of my scholarships were community service scholarships and many were based off of philanthropy and giving back.

What are some of the misconceptions of applying for scholarships?

The biggest complaint is writing an essay. The way I encourage individuals is by telling them “The essay is about you and nobody can tell your story better than you. It’s your thoughts, your hopes and your dreams.” You need to be able to explain to someone in writing what’s in your head and your heart and why you want to go to school. It’s encouraging and motivating. That writing piece is how they get to know you.

Throughout your research process you’ve gained money to further your education, how do you plan to give that back to the community?

My goal is to help families and individuals go to school without acquiring serious student loan debt. The challenge is, many aren’t taught anything about scholarships and if parents didn’t attend college, it’s hard to teach their kids about scholarships. I read an article that said there is 9 billion in state money for students to go to college. I want to connect people with that money. Education is the key out of poverty.

When did the idea for a book develop and what should readers expect?

I started a scholarship advisor program in 2009 that started off as a blog. The book came because I was giving people one-on-one attention but I wanted to reach a broader audience. I want my community to have access to that 9 billion dollars and learn how to navigate the scholarship system. My goal is to not only help young students but those like me who have children. I knew for the first time in my life I was on the right path because everything fell into place and it wasn’t hard.

For more information about Shay Spivey and her book “How to Submit a Winning Scholarship Application,” visit amazon.com or follow her on Twitter @ShayMSpivey.




12/4/14

List of Women Scholarships

Women Scholarships

NFPW Communications Contest
AAUW Scholarship
AAUW Grant
Agnes Kujawa Scholarship
Frymier Scholaship
Miltrade Carter Fellowship
Emilia Earhart Fellowship
John Edgard Thompson Foundation
Withfield Memorial Scholarship
Fred Hoper Memorial Scholarship
East Carolina University Swimming and Diving Scholarship
East Carolina University Volleyball Scholarship
Evelyn Barnes Memorial Scholarship
ATT-Bell Laboratories Graduate Research for Women
Association for Women Veterinarian Scholarship
ADELPHI University Athletic Award
Schumann Scholarships
Alverno College Teacher Education Scholarships
American Association of University Women Project Renew Grant
Washington Bible College Ola Dorsey Cox Scholarship
Mesa Community College Softball Scholarship
American legion Maryland Auxiliary Scholarship
Harry S. Truman Scholarship
Amy R. Hughes Scholarship
Georgina Sweet Fellowship
Newcomb College at Tulane University Swimming Scholarship
Virginia L. Tierney Scholarship
Enid Hall Griswold Memorial Scholarship
American History Scholarship for Women
Carolina Holt Nursing Scholarship
Berkshire Summer Fellowship
BPW Loan Fund For Women in Engineering Studies
BPW-Career Advancement Scholarship Program
BPW-New York Life Foundation Scholarship
Massachusetts State Federation of Women's Clubs
College Women's Club of Montclair Scholarship
Ruth Strang Research Award
One Hundred Club Scholarships
Oregon State University Swimming & Diving Scholarship
Jewish Foundation for Education of Women
The Soroptimist Training Awards
Anne Maureen Whitney Barrow Memorial Scholarship
Ivy Parker Memorial Scholarship
Cady McDonnell Memorial Scholarship
Amaranth Fund Awards
Curry Awards for Girls and Young Women
Emily Chaison Gold Award Scholarship
Sun and Surf Chapter Scholarship
Sunset Chapter Scholarship
Aliene Ewell Scholarship
Anna Groninger Smith Memorial Scholarship
HORIZONS Scholarship Foundation
AMERICAN ALLIANCE FOR HEALTH,PHYSICAL EDUCATION, RECREATION &DANCE
AMERICAN SOCIETY OF WOMEN ACCOUNTANTS (Scholarships)
ASSOCIATION FOR WOMEN IN SCIENCE EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATION (Dr.Vicki L. Schechtman Scholarship)
Ruth Satter Memorial Award
AVON Products Foundation Career Empowerment Scholarship Program
BPW Career Advancement Scholarship Program
KARLA SCHERER FOUNDATION (Scholarships)
WOMEN OF THE EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH IN AMERICA (The Arne Administrative Leadership Scholarship)
WOMEN IN DEFENSE (HORIZONS Scholarship Foundation)
WOMEN’S SPORTS FOUNDATION (Jackie Joyner-Kersee & Zina Garrison Minority Internships)
BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL WOMEN’S FOUNDATION (BPW Career Advancement Scholarship Program)
BUSINESS  Laura D.Sypin Memorial Scholarship
UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANCISCO McLAREN SCHOOL OF BUSINESS (Laura D. Sypin Memorial Scholarship)
Calgon Take Me Away to College Contest
Anita Borg Undergraduate Scholarship
Talbots Women's Scholarship Fund
Jeannette Rankin Foundation Education Award
Glamour's Top 10 College Women Competition
Make a Statement Scholarship
Girls Going Places Scholarship
Women in Engineering Scholarship - Stevens Institute
Independent Women's Forum Essay Contest
Possible Woman Foundation Scholarship

11/30/14

Advancing access to higher education

Advancing access to higher education!

Shay Spivey, BSW, MSW
Author of 
"How to Submit a Winning Scholarship Application" (2014)



Buy on Amazon today:  
amzn.to/Wrnot7


11/10/14

FREE Sample Personal Statement!



What is a Personal Statement?The personal statement or essay is an important part of the application process.  In an essay format applicants can tell their personal story.  I encourage applicants to start writing early because this is a process.  The writing process will help applicants think about, and answer, questions like:

Why am I returning to college?
Where am I coming from? Where do I want to go?
Why do I want to study in this particular field?
What are my goals and aspirations?


~Shay Spivey


__________________________________________________________________

SAMPLE PERSONAL STATEMENT OUTLINE 

Your name 
Your address 
City, State, Zip 
Phone number 
Email address 

BRIEF INTRODUCTION 
Introduce yourself 
Why do you want to go/return to college? 
Are you a first generation college student? Adult student? 

ACADEMIC GOALS: 
What are your academic goals? 
Which degree are you seeking? 
What is your expected graduation date? 
Where are you enrolled? GPA (if good)? 
What have you already completed? 

CAREER GOALS: 
What are your career goals? 
What are you working towards? 
Why? 
In what way will you give back 
 or reach back in the community? 

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE 
You may want to think of a personal experience that has helped shape who you are. 
Have you had to overcome a big obstacle? 
What is a dream or goal that is currently motivating you? 
Did you overcome a hardship in your life? 
Did you serve in the military? What branch? For how long? Were 
 you deployed? 
Employment – how many days and hours do you work? 
Are you involved in community service? Extra-curricular activities? 

FINANCIAL NEED 
How will this scholarship help with your educational goals? 
Financial need? 


________________________________________________________

Download FREE sample personal statement at:
http://www.ncmpublishing.com/uploads/7/2/1/7/7217233/sample_personal_statement_outline.pdf