The Writers of the Future contest was established by Ron L. Hubbard to provide support and encouragement for aspiring young writers. Since the award’s establishment more than 250 novels and 2,500 short stories that might not otherwise have received recognition, have been published in countries all over the world.

The Writers of the Future Contest has been wildly successful. According to the “embracive vision” that he described–one that included having a panel of leading authors and a published book of the submitted works–keeps coming true over and over again.

The contest selects winners once every three months who qualify for the $1,000, $750, $500 prizes that are given. Work’s must be less than 17,000 words long and in the science fiction, fantasy, or dark fantasy genres.

If you are a creative young student who is eager to receive recognition for your work and possbibly a little cash for your labor submit entries to the following address:

WRITERS OF THE FUTURE
CONTEST
P.O. BOX 1630
LOS ANGELES, CA 90078

For more details about participating in the Ron L. Hubbard’s Writer’s of the Future Contest, visit the website for a list of entry rules.

Ron L. Hubbard didn’t just establish a contest to bring recognition to gifted aspiring writers, but he also established an award that honors students who excel in the arts. Writing may not be your thing, but perhaps drawing is. If so, you may want to consider taking the time to submit to this award.

According to the website, “the Contest is open to new and amateur artists who have not been professionally published and paid for more than three black-and-white story illustrations, or more than one process-color painting, in media distributed broadly to the general public.” Like the Writer’s of the Future Contest, the accepted genres are science-fiction and fantasy.

This contest gives awards four times per year. Each quarter, 3 “co-winners,” receive a cash grant of $500. At the end of each year one of these 12 young artists receives the grand prize: a $5,000 cash grant. Only original works are accepted. Visit the Ron L. Hubbard’s Illustrators of the Future Contests’ website for more details.

Submit entries to:

L. Ron Hubbard’S
ILLUSTRATORS OF THE FUTURE CONTEST
P.O. BOX 3190
LOS ANGELES, CA 90078

World War I Aviation Historians is a non-profit organization that aims to preserve the information, facts, and history related to World War I.

This organization sponsors an annual essay contest that students with an interest in World War I are encouraged to participate in.

Eligibility requirements include:

Papers must respond to some aspect of aviation during the period from 1914-1918 (World War I Years), however, the topic is the student’s choice. The first place winner will receive a $500 scholarship and five honorable mention scholars will receive a $200 scholarship. World War I Aviation Historians reserves the right to publish any papers in their periodical “Over the Front.”

Essays must be at least 10-pages in length, double-spaced. Digital copies are preferred, but essays can also be sent to the following address:

Steven A. Ruffin
2125 Hillrise Circle
Bellbrook, OH 45305

For the 2007 competition, essays must be submitted by May 31.

Each year the Microsoft Corporation sets aside hundreds of thousands of dollars to use to help advance students pursuing an education in a technical field. If you have an interest in computer engineering, technology, or another related discipline, Microsoft may have a scholarship that you qualify for.

To be eligible, students must:

Microsoft offers four different types of scholarships: General Scholarships, Women’s Scholarships, Minority Scholarships, and Scholarships for Students with Disabilities. Each scholarship has different eligibility requirements, so be sure to check the website for details.

According to the website, students are considered based on the following criteria:

Deadlines vary, check the website or call for details. Direct submissions packets to:

Microsoft Scholarship Program
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052-8303

The National Collegiate Athletic Association offers a variety of scholarship opprotunities for eligible students. If you have participated in sports throughout high school you may find their scholarship opportunities incredibly rewarding.

Some of the programs them include:

The NCAA has awarded over 1 billion dollars in scholarships. Each of these scholarships are given directly through the participating academic institution. To find a list of participating institutions visit the NCAA website.

To meet the eligibility requirements, students must first register with the Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse. Direct questions to the following address:

Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse
301 ACT Drive
P.O. Box 4044
Iowa City, IA 52243-4044

Students often forget that one component of the scholarship process is putting to work a strategy that will help improve your chances of earning a scholarship. Most scholarship winners will tell you that it doesn’t happen by accident, chance, or fate. Your own determination and effort in combination with your strategy will eventually determine your success in earning a scholarship.

One thing that you can do to improve your odds–quite literally–is to take up a hobby. It can be a sport, an art, just about anything you can think of, and make it a priority in your life. Commit time and effort to your hobby and nurture it into a talent.

You’re probably wondering what this has to do with scholarships. Well, just about everything. There is a scholarship available to students who excel in almost every area, including hobbies and extracurricular activities. Even scholarships that aren’t specifically geared towards the activity that you have selected want information about what you are involved in. Most sponsors want to know how you spend your time: are you a couch potato or someone who pushes themselves to grow by learning new things? These organizations seek to reward students who have reached out, both for others and for themselves.

If you really want a scholarhip. Make the effort to earn one and you’ll find yourself well rewarded. Also, continue to check the enotes scholarship blog for scholarship opportunities.

If history is your niche, the ALBA Scholarship, sponsored by the Abraham Lincoln Brigade Archives may be an essay contest that is of interest to you. ALBA was formed in 1979 by veterans of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade; it’s described as “an educational humanitarian organization devoted to the preservation and dissemination of the history of the North American role in the Spanish civil war and it’s aftermath.” If this description has caught your interest, keep reading. ALBA offers an annual essay scholarship that allows you to share your thoughts on this issue.

This year’s essay topics include:

Essays must be at least 5,000 words long. Two $500 prizes will be awarded each year. Be sure to check the ALBA website for updates; because it is an annual scholarship it’s never too late to apply. Visit ALBA-VALB.org for more details. Essays must be submitted in Microsoft Word format.

Interested in trotting the globe? The U.S. Fulbright Grant Program is now accepting applications for their annual grant program. This program was put into place by the United States congress in 1946 in order to “enable the government of the United States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.” If this is one of your own personal goals, you may be interested in this program.

The U.S. Fulbright Student Grant Program spans 140 countries and it awards over 1300 grants annually to U.S. citizens in all fields of study.

To be eligible students must:

Course work, independent field research, and professional training in the arts are some of the main opportunities available within the program. Additionally the U.S. Fulbright Student Program seeks to aid in the personal and professional development of their scholars while providing them with unmatched international experience that will broaden and strengthen their worldview.

If you are interested in this opportunity visit their website. Applications are currently being accepted from qualified applicants. As outlined on the website, your academic and professional record, language preparation, and the realizability of your proposed study are taken into account along with other personal qualifications.

The Women’s Studio Workshop provides a variety of internships, fellowships, and scholarships to aspiring young artists. One of there primary goals is to give young women a chance to develop their talents alongside other artists and to receive support and guidance along the way. They also give artists a chance to develop their craft in a larger studio space that permits them to pursue the projects in the appropriate manner and use excellent equipment that is made available through the Women’s Studio Workshop. Grants are also available to qualified residents.

Each internship or fellowship recipient receives a $150 a month stipend and housing is provided. Interns are expected to work full time.

If you are pursuing a career in the arts this may be the opportunity that you have been looking for. The Women’s Studio Workshop has supported these programs since 1983. In doing so they aim to, “provide young artists with the opportunity to learn first-hand how women can manage productive, successful careers as professional artists. WSW interns learn techniques for developing their work, build various new computer and studio-based skills, and are introduced to methods of gaining funding and exhibition opportunities.”

Below are some of the opportunities that they offer:

Interested candidates should visit the Women’s Workshop Studio website for more details.

You can also contact:

Women’s Studio Workshop
PO Box 489
Rosendale, NY 12472
tel 845.658.9133
fax 845.658.9031
info@wsworkshop.org

College by any standard, is expensive. Between the cost of tuition, books, and housing students can easily find themselves carting around a very large bag of debt–sometimes reaching well beyond $100,000. For most students, tuition debt is actually preventable, but many are unsure of where to begin. Scholarships are the logical first step; most have no strings attached other than meeting the eligibility requirements and submitting an application. The problem is that many students are simply unaware of just how easy it is to find and apply for scholarships. It takes a little time and a great deal of committment, but the financial aid is out there for students who are willing to rise to the challenge and put in the effort.

Think you’re ready to begin your search? Here are some great places to begin:

Local/school clubs. Most clubs offer a scholarship program in one form or another. Whether you are involved in sports or a community/school sponsored club, it is always a good idea to check out the opportunities that they have available, in large part because you are more closely connected to the award if you are directly affiliated or involved in the sponsors organization and this significantly improves your chance of earning a scholarship. Award sized will vary, but you should still take the time to apply for smaller awards. Most likely other students much like yourself, brushed the award off as insignificant or a waste of time, so you may actually have a greater chance of winnning.

Community Centers. Community centers almost always sponsor scholarships for the residents within their community. Typically, the best candidates for such awards are students with an outstanding record of volunteer activity with the community and an academic record that attests to the student’s potential to succeed in college.

Churches. Another great place to look for money–the church or denomination that you are affiliated with. For example, a student who is a member of a Baptist church should inquire about any scholarship opportunities offered directly through that church. If none are available, the student should research “Baptist” organizations on google. Such organizations often have scholarships available to students in the U.S. who are in someway affiliated with a particular denomination–especially if the student is pursuing a degree that they can later use to further their career in the ministry.

These are just good starting points. There are many other places that you can begin your search for scholarships. Be creative and strategic and you will find the financial aid that you need to make it through school without acquiring too much debt. Also, remember to ask your guidance counselor if he or she has any helpful suggestions. Your guidance counselor is familiar with your academic record and your community involvement and will be able to point you in the right direction.