scholarships

Robert Frost once described education as "hanging around until you've caught on." Thanks to a generous scholarship program linking high school graduates with the local community college, many more young people will have that chance in Tamaqua, Pennsylvania.

In 2002, a foundation started by John E. Morgan, whose knitwear manufacturing company was one of the few large businesses to spring up out of Tamaqua since the decline of coal production there, agreed to cover two years of tuition at Lehigh Carbon Community College for graduates of Tamaqua Senior High School.The stipulations are few: eligible candidates must have attended the high school for two consecutive years before graduation, file a federal student aid application, and enroll in at least nine college credit hours per semester.

Morgan's effort has now become the community's, inspiring another similar donation building on top of the original.

Morgan's gift has now inspired a copycat, to the benefit of Tamaqua's students. The Scheller family, which has an aluminum coatings manufacturing company and donates generously in the region, this April announced its own $1.5 million endowed scholarship program that aims to pay for Lehigh Carbon Community College students’ next two years of schooling at certain four-year institutions in the state. Roberta and Ernest Scheller announced the endowment and dedicated the half-million dollar firehouse-turned-student center on the same day, in honor of their daughter, Lisa Jane, an alumna of LCCC and now the CEO of the family's company.

The two scholarships together permit students to finish bachelor degrees at regional state universities, like Bloomsburg or Kutztown.

Congress advanced education and the public good with passage of the Serve America Act, which strengthens the bond between service and education. But programs like these represent what else might be needed. Yes, I believe the federal government can support and implement education-improving programs effectively, but perhaps an effort to strategically create these locally-focused scholarship programs across the country has its place too.

Sarah's post yesterday was correct -- we need to bring education in this country into the 21st Century. But while we're doing that, we should keep an eye on access to higher education, which has continued to be problematic for low-income students. In improving access, we should review win-win situations that not only improve education, but rewarding the communities supporting educational institutions as well. Tamaqua, Pennsylvania's program is a great example of this, providing underrepresented students with an opportunity to get that crucial college degree while settling in their home region.

Just the messenger...

Every year Advocates for Youth works with college and high school students in the United States who are organizing for sexual and reproductive health rights domestically or internationally.

Applications for both programs are due May 15, 2009. More details after the jump.

Two opportunities in the youth movement are available:

First, check out the 2nd Annual College Blogging Scholarship. The contest awards $2,000 to a college student who blogs about politics. Applications will be accepted from February 11th through the 24th, and you can nominate yourself or submit an application on behalf of a friend or a young blogger you admire.

Second, the Center for Progressive Leadership is now accepting applications for their 2008 New Leaders Program. The deadline to submit your application is March 15th.

About the program:

10-Week Paid Internship: Once you’ve been accepted into the program, we help match you with a paid internship in Washington, DC. The program will take place from June 6 – August 15, 2008. We’re focused on putting you in a position where you’ll find the work rewarding and the cause personally meaningful.

Leadership Development: As a New Leader, you will have a variety of opportunities to grow as a leader, network with members of the progressive community, and build the skills and connections you need to deepen your involvement in progressive causes:

Training and Workshops: During your internship, you attend a variety of sessions led by leaders in the progressive movement designed to provide you with the tools and techniques you need to become an effective political leader.

Networking Events: You’ll regularly have the chance to meet leaders in the progressive movement and create lasting relationships with mentors and advisors throughout Washington.

Mentoring/Career Coaching: You’ll be personally matched to a leader in the progressive community who will provide ongoing support and coaching during your internship and beyond.

CPL is also offering a New Leaders Fellowship program this year that is 5 months long and links diverse, young leaders to full-time, entry-level positions with progressive organizations and is happening both in D.C. and in select states across the country.

Not a bad gig, if you can get it. Also posted to the [[Jobs and Training]] section of our growing DIY Wiki.

[[http://www.scholarships-ar-us.org/our-scholarships/political-blogging.htm|Scholarships Around the US]] - Political Blogging Scholarship This group offers a $2000 scholarship to college students who maintain a political blog. Applicants must be US citizens attending college full-time and maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants are required to submit a 300 word essay answering any of the following questions:

• If you nominated a friend, what makes them and their blog so special?
• How can blogging improve democracy?
• Do bloggers enable and protect free speech?
• What are the best ideas you have helped spread?
• How do you intend to use blogging in the next election?

[[http://www.scholarships-ar-us.org/our-scholarships/political-blogging.htm|Apply Here]]