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Updated: 01/20/2020

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:

• Imagine America Foundation
• Scholarships - Fast Web
• Scholarships - Studentscholarships.org
• Scholarships - ScholarshipBuddy Michigan

 

SCHOLARSHIPS SPECIFIC TO BIG RAPIDS HIGH SCHOOL:

 

MIAAA Scholarship – Deadline February 1, 2020

Each school year the MIAAA will award thirteen $1,000 scholarships honoring top high school male and female student-athletes from each Region. Only student-athletes graduating during the current school year will be eligible for the scholarships.

Criteria for Selection

• Each high school in Michigan may select one male and one female student-athlete.  The school’s Athletic Director must be a member of the MIAAA in order to nominate student-athletes and to be considered for the scholarships.
• Student-athletes must meet the following criteria to be nominated:
  • A minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50 on a 4.0 scale
  • One Letter of Support from a school staff member
  • Must have earned a Varsity Letter in at least two different sports during their high school career
  • Complete application with approval signatures from Athletic Director and Principal
  • Application must be typed

Application Deadline

• Applications will be available on the MIAAA website.
• Deadline for applications is February 1st.
• Notification of selection will be made in late February.  Scholarship winners will need to provide a wallet size photograph suitable for reproduction.
• Applications for nominated student-athletes must be mailed/emailed by the MIAAA Athletic Director to: Garrett Simpson, MIAAA Scholarship Chairperson, 1001 N Silvery Ln, Dearborn, MI 48128 - Simpsong@divinechildhighschool.org

 

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.

 

Char Doerr Memorial Scholarship 2020 – Deadline April 1, 2020

This scholarship has been created in memory of Char Doerr.  Char was an integral part of the Shamrock Invitational tournament in addition to her work at St. Michaels’s School in Remus Michigan.  The scholarship is a need-based award with a student’s community service in mind. It is designed to help an individual who has limited resources to pay for a college education.  There will be a $2,000.00 scholarship awarded.

Criteria

1. Applicants must be in their senior year of high school.
2. Applicants must be accepted to a university, college or school of higher education as a full time student beginning Fall 2020.
3. Applicants must have maintained a minimum GPA of 25.
4. Applicants must exhibit outstanding community service.

INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATION

1. Complete the attached scholarship application. (Available in Guidance Office or Scholarships webpage)
2. Applications should be typed or printed in ink.  All applications that are not legible will be discarded.
3. One letter of recommendation from a non-family member attesting to applicant’s character, academics, and community service.
4. Official transcript from high school.
5. A one-page essay, 500 words or less, regarding your educational plans, how they relate to your career goals, and why you merit this scholarship.
6. Applications must be received by April 1, 2020.
7. Mail application and attachments to: Shamrock Invitational,  Attention: Scholarship Selection Committee, P.O. Box 528 – Stanwood, MI  49346

 

Shamrock Invitational Scholarship – Deadline April 1, 2020

This scholarship has been created to recognize individuals who throughout their high school careers have exhibited outstanding community service and academic achievements while participating in athletics.  There will be a $1,000.00 scholarship awarded.

Criteria

1. Applicants must be in their senior year of high school.
2. Applicants must be accepted to a university, college or school of higher education as a full time student beginning Fall 2020.
3. Applicants must have maintained a minimum GPA of 25.
4. Applicants must exhibit outstanding community service.

INFORMATION AND INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICATION

1. Complete the attached scholarship application.
2. Applications should be typed or printed in ink.  All applications that are not legible will be discarded.
3. One letter of recommendation from a non-family member attesting to applicant’s character, academics, and community service.
4. Official transcript from high school.
5. A one-page essay, 500 words or less, regarding your educational plans, how they relate to your career goals, and why you merit this scholarship.
6. Applications must be received by April 1, 2020.
7. Mail application and attachments to: Shamrock Invitational, Attention: Scholarship Selection Committee, P.O. Box 528 – Stanwood, MI  49346.

 

Big Rapids Rotary Club College Scholarship 2020 – Deadline April 3, 2020

Eligibility The Rotary of Big Rapids is offering a scholarship of $500.00 per year (for a maximum of 4 years) to a graduating senior from Big Rapids High School or Crossroads Charter Academy who has been accepted to either a 2 or 4 year college. Payment of the scholarship will be made directly to the college/vocational school/University where the student is registered, and it will be submitted as a single payment. 

The applications will be evaluated based on the following: 

• Academic Achievement: GPA and ACT/SAT Scores 

• School Involvement and Activities 

• Community Service and Volunteer Experience 

• Awards and Special Recognition 

• Leadership Experience 

• Work Experience 

• Career Goals 

• Hobbies and Interests 

Application Requirements

1. Completed Big Rapids Rotary Club College Scholarship Application Form

2. Personal Statement 

• The purpose of the statement is to allow the scholarship committee a chance to understand the applicant on a personal level. It should highlight the reasons why attending college is important to the applicant, and it should address the financial importance of this scholarship to the applicant. 
• This personal statement should be no more than two pages. It should be written in essay style, using 12 point font and double spacing.

3. Two Letters of Reference 

• At least one letter should be from a teacher who can share information as to why the applicant would merit this award, and who understands the student's future aspirations. 
• A second letter should be from someone who knows the student well. Personal Interview Students who successfully submit all of the above items at the same time by the specified deadline will be contacted to schedule an interview with members of the Big Rapids Rotary Club Scholarship Committee. The anticipated interview date for this year is Friday, April 17th. 

Deadlines 

• Applications will be accepted from January 20th through April 3, 2020.
• Applications received after the due date will not be accepted. Applicants will be notified of their interview date as soon as possible after April 3, with interviews to take place on Friday April 17th. 
• Award notification will be sent out after April 24, 2019. 

Submissions

Please submit your Application Form, Personal Statement and 2 Letters of Reference at the same time to: 

Jessica Helfmann, 5/3 Bank 101 North Michigan Ave Big Rapids MI 49307 

OR 

Big Rapids Rotary Club Scholarship Committee, PO BOX 521 Big Rapids MI 49307

 

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.

 

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

Eligibility:

1. 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.
2. The applicant must be a high school senior.
3. The applicant must apply online only. The 2020 Legacy Awards application deadline is January 31, 2020 at 11:59 a.m. Central Time.
4. If the applicant's parent and grandparent are both Elk members, the applicant must apply through the parent's Elks Lodge.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.)
8. 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:

1. 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.
2. The Elk sponsor’s membership will be verified through the BPOE Grand Lodge headquarters.
3. When a student registers to complete the online application, both the applicant and Lodge Secretary will be notified by email.
4. 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.
5. 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.

 

Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation – Deadline March 1, 2020

The Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation offers a $2,000, non-renewable scholarship to Michigan high school graduating seniors. Winners are selected on the basis of scholarship, leadership, financial need and dedication to the civil rights principles of Rosa L. Parks, whose historic stand against racial prejudice in 1955 brought her national recognition.  The Foundation was established in 1980 to provide equal-opportunity scholarships to Michigan high school seniors.

Scholarships are to be applied to tuition, books and/or fees for the first year of college only. The funds cannot be applied to room/board or other expenses.  

A key determining factor in judging is ‘financial need.’ Students with numerous other scholarships (especially full-tuition scholarships) will receive a very low rating for ‘financial need,’ virtually eliminating them from contention for this scholarship. Because of this, these students may choose not to complete the Rosa Parks Scholarship Foundation application process.

APPLICANTS MUST:
1.   Graduate in spring 2020.*
2.   Have a GPA of 2.5 or above.
3.   Describe financial need.
4.   Complete the application form and essay.**
5.   Document community activities.
6.   Furnish official copies of high school transcript and ACT or SAT results.
7.   Furnish two letters of recommendation. (At least one should come from a school representative. A member of the clergy, community or civic representative is also suggested.)
 
ALL REQUIREMENTS MUST BE MET, OR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED

A link to the application is available at:         rosaparksscholarship.org

 

Michigan Retailers Association (MRA) Scholarship – Deadline April 1, 2020

Michigan Retailers Association scholarships will be awarded to deserving students whose academic credentials fall within an average to above-average range. In general, average and above-average credentials are, for high school seniors, those that rank a student in the top half of their senior class. Standardized test scores should be at least 18 for the ACT Composite or, for the SAT combined Critical Reading and Math scores, at least 850. Students enrolled in college should present college GPAs that range from 2.50 to 4.00 on a 4.00 scale, in addition to having the proper high school credentials. Consideration also is given for extra curricular activities, including, but not limited to, part-time retail employment.

Eligibility

Those eligible to apply are high school seniors and college freshmen, sophomores and juniors who are:

1. Dependent sons and daughters of owners of MRA member businesses, or of full-time employees of Michigan Retailers Association member firms. The parent-employee must have been employed by a Michigan Retailers Association member firm for at least one year as of January 1 of the year in which the scholarships are awarded.
2. Part-time employees of MRA member businesses who are full-time students. Part-time employees must have been employed by a Michigan Retailers Association member firm for at least six months as of January 1 of the year in which the scholarships are awarded.

Apply online at https://www.retailers.com/member-benefits/scholarship-program/ or contact MRS at (800) 366-3699, ext 346 for a copy of a paper application.

 

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

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 

• Search for Courses Offered
• Registration Form

Mid Michigan College

• MTA Traditional Courses Offered Online
• Registration Form
• Michigan Transfer Agreement Guidesheet

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*

 

 

NCAA Eligibility Center

NAIA Eligibility Center

 

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

 

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.