Guidance Office - Big Rapids High School - Our Schools

Scholarships are updated as they are received, emailed to students and their parent(s)/guardian(s) of record, posted to Family Access and Student Access on Skyward, and posted outside of the Big Rapids High School Guidance Office.

GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES:

SCHOLARSHIPS SPECIFIC TO BIG RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL:

MHSAA Scholar-Athlete - Deadline December 6, 2019 at 4:00 PM

The MHSAA Scholar-Athlete applications are open. All senior athletes are welcome to apply. To apply students need to go to mhsaa.com/scholarship and create an account. Students will need to enter the code 2020MHSAA to gain access to the application. You don’t have to complete the application all at one time, your work will be saved. Students also need to provide two letters of recommendation. Students can upload PDFs or Word docs themselves, or they can use the system to have recommenders upload recommendations. The deadline is Dec. 6, at 4:00 p.m.

NFSA Scholarship – Deadline March 6th, 2020

Next spring, the Nottawa-Sherman Firefighters Association will once again award one or more scholarships of up to $1,000 to a current school year high school graduate. A complete copy of the instructions and application in PDF format is also available via a link on the front page of our Web site at http://www.nsfd.net .

It is not a requirement, but students should be aware that extra points are awarded during the selection process if they are enrolled in a public safety or public health curriculum.

The scholarship is available only to graduating seniors who live within the boundaries of the Nottawa-Sherman Fire Department coverage area - all of Nottawa, Sherman and Coldwater townships, the entire Village of Lake Isabella and 10 sections of Gilmore Township.  Please make sure that you check the map at the end of the attached scholarship package to see if you meet the residency requirement.

The deadline for applications to be in to the NFSA committee is March 6th, 2020.  This is a firm deadline. The independent panel of judges must have the application packages on that date.

If the applicant wishes to drop the package off in person, they have maintenance, medical training and fire fighting training meetings at their station (6263 W. Weidman Road, Weidman, MI) on the first three Tuesdays of every month 7-9 p.m..

If you have any questions, please e-mail 11-17@nsfd.net or call the station at 989.644.3221 and leave a message for the scholarship committee.  Be aware that the station is not staffed between emergency runs so it may take a few days to get a phone message.  Emails or a text to 406 223 0396 will probably get a faster response.

FerrisNow Scholarship

This scholarship is offered through Ferris State University and specific to students enrolled full-time at a Ferris State University site within one year of graduation (with the exception of Kendall College of Art and Design). Additional information may be obtained from the link or at www.ferris.edu/financialaid

OTHER SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES:

Mid Michigan College – Laker Distinction Award

Mid Michigan College annually seeks out exceptional high school graduates from the state of Michigan to become new members of the Lakers family. Student are selected based on their academic excellence, leadership skills, service activities, and character.

Seats are limited and reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Interested students should RSVP as early as possible, and must RSVP in order to attend the initial selection event in November.

Applicants complete a resume, project, and participate in a competitive selection process that takes place on Mid Michigan College's Mt. Pleasant Campus. Apply by visiting Mid Michigan College Laker Distinction Award.

Michigan Elks Association Gold Key Scholarship – Deadline December 1, 2019

This scholarship is for Special Needs students who are physically or mentally challenged and currently eligible for special education services under the Federal guidelines. It is intended for qualifying students to continue their education or training beyond high school, either at an accredited college, university, or licensed trade or vocational school. This award is for $2,000 a year for up to four years. The Big Rapids Elks Lodge has had several recipients of this scholarship. Any students interested in this scholarship should contact the Elks Scholarship Chairperson directly at the phone number in order to apply for the scholarship. There is a pre-application checklist and website they will be given in order to apply for the scholarship.

For questions, please contact:

David Hosking,

17207 Sierra Dr.

Big Rapids, MI 49307

(231) 796-6627 d_hosking@yahoo.com

Impact Scholarship – Deadline December 8, 2019

The Michigan Technological University College of Business invites seniors planning to major in accounting, construction management, economics, engineering management, finance, general business, management, management information systems, and/or marketing to apply for the Impact Scholarship by December 8.

This competitive award recognizes high school seniors who have leadership experience and academic success in and outside the classroom. If selected, renewable awards are variable ranging from $1,000 to the equivalent of full-time resident tuition.

Applications for admission and the scholarship must be received by December 8. The on-campus competition for finalists takes place January 19-20, 2020.

If you have any questions, please contact me at 906-670-4303 or smrinkin@mtu.edu.

Norwich University Take The Lead Scholarship – Deadline December 15, 2019

Norwich University is located in Norwich, VT. They are looking for students that are motivated, driven, and excited by the idea of new challenges. Does this sound like anyone you know? They want to support the initiative of the future leaders in your classrooms by offering them a $2,000 Take the Lead Scholarship.

To qualify, students must:

Complete the online application (it's free!)
Send in supplemental materials (i.e transcripts, etc.)
Complete the FAFSA and list Norwich as one of their schools

That's it! If students complete that by December 15th, 2019 they get an additional $2,000 for their 4 years at Norwich- which is an additional $8,000 toward their Norwich education!

America's Farmers Grow AG Leaders Scholarship Opportunities – Deadline January 15, 2020

For those interested, attached is information in regard to a scholarship offered by The America’s Farmers Grow Ag Leaders Program:

ELIGIBILITY: High school senior or current college student pursuing any degree or certification in any AFNR Career Pathways. Applicants may also pursue non-agricultural majors in human nutrition, communications, sales, marketing, public relations, journalism, statistics, mathematics, engineering, bioinformatics, computer science, welding or diesel mechanics.

Applicants must reside in an identified state and county. A list of specific majors, states and counties is available at FFA.org/scholarships or www.americasfarmers.com. Minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale required.

Scholarships available for FFA members and non-members.

NOTE: Applicants must obtain two farmer endorsements. See details at FFA.org/scholarships orwww.americasfarmers.com.

AWARD: Awards are valued at $1500 each. Non-renewable.

SPONSOR BIO: America's Farmers Grow Ag Leaders encourages rural youth to pursue careers in agriculture by awarding $1,500 scholarships in support of post-high school education in ag-related fields of study.

The America's Farmers community outreach programs work with farmers to support rural communities, youth and schools. Sponsored by the Bayer Fund, the programs have awarded over $53 million in rural America since 2010. Visit www.americasfarmers.com to learn more.

Eisenhower Scholarship - Deadline January 15, 2020

Starting with next year's incoming class, students will be able to apply for the Eisenhower Scholarship–designed to recognize outstanding applicants who are positively transforming their communities. The College has a long history of civic engagement with students and alumni making a difference in their communities and around the world.

The Eisenhower Scholarship is Gettysburg College's most selective scholarship–$160,000 for four years of full-time study ($40,000 per year). It is awarded to top-performing applicants within a most challenging curriculum who have demonstrated a high level of civic engagement locally, nationally, and/or internationally. More information about the Eisenhower Scholarship including application requirements and process is on their website.

Additionally, Gettysburg College recognizes students' academic achievement in high school by awarding four categories of academic merit scholarships under Early Decision and Regular Decision.

Abraham Lincoln Scholarship–$32,000 per year
Presidential Scholarship–$27,000 per year
David Wills Scholarship –$24,000 per year
1832 Founders Scholarship–$15,000 per year

Decisions on merit scholarship recipients are made as part of the admissions process. A separate application is not required. All students, including those who apply test optional, are considered. Gettysburg College accepts self-reported SAT and ACT scores. Please visit their webpage for more information about applying test optional or with self-reported scores

Profile in Courage Essay Contest – Deadline January 17, 2020

The Profile in Courage Essay Contest opens for submissions on September 1, 2019. The contest deadline is January 17, 2020. The contest is open to United States high school students in grades nine through twelve attending public, private, parochial, or home schools; US students under the age of twenty enrolled in a high school correspondence/GED program; and US citizens attending schools overseas.

The first-place winner receives $10,000. Second-place receives $3,000. Five finalists receive $1,000 each. Eight semifinalists receive $100 each. Ten students receive honorable mention.

Submissions are evaluated on content (demonstrated understanding of political courage, originality, supporting evidence, source material) and presentation (quality of writing, organization, conventions.) Includes information about disqualifications.

Resources to help you prepare an excellent essay: Elements of a Strong Essay, Helpful Tips for Writing, Guidelines for Citations and Bibliography, and Criteria for Judging.

For questions and any additional information, please visit https://www.jfklibrary.org/learn/education/profile-in-courage-essay-contest.

ENF Legacy Award Scholarship – Deadline January 31, 2020 at 11:59 PM

Eligibility:

For the 2020 contest, any child or grandchild (or step-child, step-grandchild, or legal ward) of a living Elk who joined the order on or before April 1, 2017, or a charter member of a Lodge that was instituted on or after April 1, 2017, is eligible to apply. The Elk must also be a paid-up member through March 31, 2020. Great-grandchildren are not eligible.
The applicant must be a high school senior.
The applicant must apply online only. The 2020 Legacy Awards application deadline is January 31, 2020 at 11:59 a.m. Central Time.
If the applicant's parent and grandparent are both Elk members, the applicant must apply through the parent's Elks Lodge.
Applicants must take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT) in time to received their scores before the application deadline by December 31, 2019.
Students may apply for more than one ENF scholarship; however, they may win only one. In cases where the student qualifies for more than one, we will award the scholarship with the greater value. Students can accept local and state scholarships, which are separate from the awards at the national level.
Legacy Awards may only be applied to accredited US American schools, colleges or universities. (Note: Applicants from Guam, Panama, Puerto Rico and the Philippines may apply Legacy Awards toward schools, colleges or universities in their respective homes.)
If you are selected as a 2020 Legacy Awards recipient, you will be required to perform service once a year with an Elks Lodge during the four years you are receiving the scholarship. Click here for more information about serving with the Elks.

Eligible students should apply in the following manner:

The student must complete and submit the ONLINE application. The 2020 Legacy Awards application deadline is January 31, 2020 at 11:59 a.m. Central Time.
The Elk sponsor’s membership will be verified through the BPOE Grand Lodge headquarters.
When a student registers to complete the online application, both the applicant and Lodge Secretary will be notified by email.
If you have questions about your online Legacy Awards application, contact the ENF Scholarship Office via email at scholarship@elks.org. Visit our Legacy Awards FAQ page.
Upon receipt of the application, the applicant will receive a notification that the application was received. Winners will be announced in late April 2020.

For questions, please contact:

David Hosking

17207 Sierra Dr.

Big Rapids, MI 49307

(231) 796-6627 d_hosking@yahoo.com

28th Annual High School Senior Scholarship (Calvin University) – Deadline February 3, 2020

Essay Contest - Awards are given annually for research papers on a topic dealing with John Calvin or Calvinism. One $3500 First Prize and three $2000 Second Prizes are awarded each year. Awards are payable to student tuition accounts at the following institutions: Calvin, Dordt, The King's University (Canada), Redeemer (Canada), Kuyper and Trinity Christian.

For complete details and instructions, please visit https://calvin.edu/centers-institutes/meeter-center/fellowships-scholarships/high-school-seniors/. For any questions, please contact Calvin University.

MEA Scholarship – Deadline February 20, 2020

Eligibility Criteria

** Please note, if your parent/guardian is a public school employee they may be an MEA member.

Dependent of an MEA member or MEA-Retired member in good standing
Graduate of a Michigan public high school or private high school that has an MEA bargaining unit.
Will attend or is currently an undergraduate student of a Michigan public community/junior college, four-year degree-granting institution, or vocational training institution that grants a degree, certification or license. Those attending the following private institutions ONLY are also eligible: Baker College-Flint/Owosso; University of Detroit–Mercy; Adrian College; Finlandia University; and Albion College. (The aforementioned private institutions are existing local MEA affiliates.)
Note: Children of MEA officers, fund trustees, and MEA staff are not eligible.
(A child of an MEA, MESSA or MEA-FS staff person is eligible if the other parent is an MEA member in good standing).

Selection Criteria

Priority is given on the basis of:

Academic achievement
Extra-curricular activities
School and community service

To apply – go to https://mea.org/mea-scholarship/ to access the application. The application can be typed into, saved and then printed for signature to be mailed with the required documentation. If applicants are unable to fill out the application electronically, legible handwritten applications are acceptable. Please note – applications will also be available in the Guidance Office.

The application deadline is Thursday, February 20, 2020 – this is the date that applications need to be received by MEA. A postmark does not constitute being received. Faxed or emailed applications are not allowed. No applications will be accepted after the deadline. Please stress the timely submission of the application to students and school personnel. There will be no extensions granted due to weather delays, snow days or power outages.

If you have any questions regarding the application or scholarship, please contact Barb Hitchcock at bhitchcock@mea.org or 517-333-6276.

Fremont Area Community Foundation Scholarship - Deadline March 1, 2020

The common online scholarship application for the Lake County Community Foundation, Mecosta County Community Foundation and Osceola County Community Foundation opens on October 1, 2019 and closes on March 1, 2020. Students may access the online scholarship application on Fremont Area Community Foundation website at https://facommunityfoundation.org/scholarships/how-to-apply/.

If students would like to view the scholarships available:

Lake County Community Foundation - https://facommunityfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/LCCF_scholarships.pdf

Mecosta County Community Foundation - https://facommunityfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/Mecosta_scholarships-1.pdf

Osceola County Community Foundation - https://facommunityfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/Osceola_scholarships.pdf

Please don't hesitate to contact Robin Cowles (rcowles@facommunityfoundation.org), Maria Gonzalez (mgonzalez@facommunityfoundation.org) or Casey Houston (chouston@facommunityfoundation.org) with questions or concerns you may have.

SCHOLARSHIPS FEATURED ON WWW.STUDENTSCHOLARSHIPS.ORG and WWW.SCHOLARSHIPBUDDYMICHIGAN.COM

Dual Enrollment

Big Rapids High School currently offers dual/concurrent enrollment opportunities through Ferris State University, Mid Michigan College, and Lake Superior State University. This is an opportunity for current high school students to get started on their college coursework before graduating high school.

Helpful Links:

Dual Enrollment Qualifying Scores 201920
BRHS MTA Requirements
Michigan Transfer Agreement Signatory Institutions

Ferris State University

Mid Michigan College

Lake Superior

Registration Form

IMPORTANT DATES

BRHS DATES/DEADLINES

MMC Registration	June 5
Ferris Registration	June 6
LSSU Registration	June 7
Contract Due	June 14

COLLEGE DATES/DEADLINES

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY

First Day of Class	Aug 26
Drop/Add Final Date	Aug 29
Withdraw Date	Oct 31

MID MICHIGAN COLLEGE

First Day of Class	Aug 26
Drop/Add Final Date	Sep 3
Withdraw Date	Oct 11

LAKE SUPERIOR STATE UNIVERSITY

First Day of Class	Aug 27
Drop/Add Final Date	Aug 30

Check dates with each college

College Athletics

NCAA Eligibility Center

NAIA Eligibility Center

Testing

Michigan Merit Exam

SAT - The College Board

SAT - Fee Waivers

Advanced Placement - The College Board

PSAT-NMSQT - The College Board

School Profile

Mecosta-Osceola Career Center

Occupational Outlook Handbook

Mental Health Counseling Resources

Community Mental Health for Central Michigan (CMH) – (231) 796-5825

Crisis Hotline: (800) 317-0708

Mecosta County Location:

Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

500 South Third Avenue

Big Rapids, MI 49307

Youth Attention Center (YAC) - (231) 592-0129

Youth Attention Center offers different programs to help fit the needs of runaway and homeless youth, and those deemed to be at-risk. Qualified and compassionate case workers meet with youth to identify challenges in their lives, and assist in building basic life management skills to deal with those issues. Youth may receive guidance in attaining communication skills and building peer and family relationships. There is also assistance with academic/truancy problems and mentoring to foster skills in anger management and coping with difficult life situations.

Office Location:

Hours: Monday – Friday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM

126 Maple Street, Suite F

Big Rapids, MI 49307

**Phones are forwarded to on-call/crisis line after 5:00pm**

OK2SAY

Call: 8-555-OK2SAY (855-565-2729)

Text: 652729 (OK2SAY)

Email: OK2SAY@mi.gov

OK2SAY is the student safety program which allows students to confidentially report tips on potential harm or criminal activities directed at school students, school employees, and schools. It uses a comprehensive communication system to facilitate tip sharing among students, parents, school personnel, community mental health service programs, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and law enforcement officials about harmful behaviors that threaten to disrupt the learning environment.

CALL 2-1-1

Dialing 2-1-1 is a simple way for people to connect with important health, human, and community services in their community. 2-1-1 is free, confidential and our Call Specialists are available 24 hours a day...7 days a week.

If you would like to see someone in the Guidance Office please make an appointment by clicking the link below:

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Scholarships