Planning and Preparing for College (Scholarships, Internships, Etc)

To prepare students and their parents for college success in areas of academic readiness, community service, internships, summer programs, etc. The blog is to be used as a preparation infrastructure on various areas of college topics.

Guys, If you have a website, blog, etc and you want to add the document or information to your document, I ask that you give credit to the creator and the site or original source location.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Shelby County Winter Weatherization Program -- Apply Now!!!

Shelby County has money to weatherize your home. It is a income based program and I am asking if you know someone that could benefit from this program to call them and give them the number to call and set up an appt. They will fix windows, doors, stoves, central heating /air and attic insulation They will even put in a refrigator.

Even if you make too much money for this we all know someone that can benefit.

Please call 901-362-9514 TODAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You will get a voice mail just leave your information.



Emergency Assistance Utility Program -- Shelby County

Emergency Assistance Utility Program in Shelby County

Currently the CSA is assisting with your utility, if you meet one of the following criteria along with the income requirement. (You can call them at 901-545-2200 and provide your information, then they will let you know if you qualify):

1. 60 or older

2. Have Children and meet income guidelines

3. Have a physically or medical disability

4. Had a major uncontrollable event that occurred and meet the income guidelines.

5. Must meet the income guidelines along with either (one of the
criteria above).

The hours of operation is from 9 am - 7:30 pm (Monday-Thursday and 9 am - 4:00 pm on Friday's).

Please note that you must call in order to get an appointment between the hours listed above. Walk-ins will not be seen.

Also share this information and take the time to ask someone else, in your community, especially an elderly. The monies will be given out until the funds have been depleted. You can call the hotline at 901-545-4328 to get the specifics of the requirements.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

The Black Entrepreneur's Toolbox: 100 Networking Resources, Guides, and Links

We recently published "The Black Entrepreneur's Toolbox: 100 Networking Resources, Guides, and Links " ( The Black Entrepreneurs Toolbox).

I am happy to let you know that you have been featured in this list.

Guys, please visit the site. My blog was listed #4 out of 100 sites. This is truly an honor.


Friday, October 03, 2008

Hispanic Students Scholarships -- Deadline:Various

General Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet the five following requirements to apply for a scholarship through the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. You can only apply if you meet ALL five general eligibility requirements.

Be of Hispanic Heritage: persons descended from Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, Central American (excluding Belize), South American (excluding Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana), or other Spanish cultures
Be a US citizen OR legal permanent resident with a valid permanent resident card or passport stamped I-551
Have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent)
Be pursuing or plan to pursue your first undergraduate or graduate degree
Must apply for federal financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)


Additional restrictions or requirements may apply to specific HSF-administered scholarship programs. Please carefully check the specific guidelines for each program to which you plan to apply.

Scholarship Program Information and Scholarships

High School Scholarship Opportunites

Monday, July 14, 2008

Business Compute-N-Show -- February, 2008

Business Compute-N-Show guests Callie Herd and Ron Herd, II. Nancy Ford is the host. This episode explores how technology can be used to learn about African American history and to learn how BLOGGING technology is making it easier to find scholarship money.

Click link below to view show:



Culture Diversity Technology

Then enter id #: 8556717703960821729 in the search video field (then click the button) Hit the play button to view the video.

Also visit: BDPA Memphis - bdpamemphis.org

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Journalist Internships Opportunites -- Various

Journalist Internship Opportunities

July

Women's eNews, New York paid editorial internships, year round.

Deadlines: April 1 for summer; July 15 for fall; Nov. 1 for winter and spring

Overseas Press Club. Unpaid internshipshttp://www.opcofamerica.org/

Information and application

Deadline: March 30 for Summer (May-August)Deadline: July 30 for Fall (September-December)Deadline: December 15 for Spring (January-April)

August
Atlanta magazine Internships: Unpaid Internships

Deadline: Aug. 1 for Fall

Boston magazine

Deadlines : March 15 for summer; August 15 for fall; November 15 for winter/spring

October

NPR-Bucksbaum International Reporting Fellowship Application

October 1 for January 15th, 2007, start date

High Country News. Paonia, Colo. Bi-weekly non-profit newspaper covering communities and the environment in the American West. Paid internships with housing.

Deadline: October 26 for Winter/Spring 2008

November
Smithsonian Magazine, Washington DC Paid 6 month full-time internships. (July-Dec/Jan-May)

Deadlines May 1 for July. November 1 for July internship.

Women's eNews, New York paid editorial internships, year round.

Deadlines: April 1 for summer; July 15 for fall; Nov. 1 for winter and spring

Boston magazine

Deadlines : March 15 for summer; August 15 for fall; November 15 for winter/spring

Click here for additional internship opportunites

Monday, June 23, 2008

The Governor's Books from Birth Foundation -- Free Books

The Governor's Books from Birth Foundation's innovative partnership with the Dollywood Foundation. You can registering a child to receive free books, to updates on the latest individual county and statewide news and events - it's all there (http://www.governorsfoundation.org/).

From Memphis to Mountain City, all 95 Tennessee counties offer Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, making the program available to each and every one of the state's 375,000 children under age five!

September 14-20, every Tennessee citizen and child is welcome to celebrate Imagination Library Week in Tennessee with us! This week marks a celebration of the Imagination Libraries, a welcome to new and interested participants, and an encouragement to develop further community participation...
Below is the Shelby County Books for Life:

Monday, June 16, 2008

Stanford College Tutition Inititative

Families with annual incomes of less than $45,000 will not be expected to contribute to the cost of tuition at Stanford University, and the requirements for middle-income families will be cut in half, Richard Shaw, dean of undergraduate admission and financial aid, announced today.

The change applies to both new and continuing undergraduate students and will go into effect with the new academic year in September. The program is anticipated to cost the university $3 million in the first year.

"When Jane and Leland Stanford created the university, they wanted students admitted based on their abilities, promise and willingness to work hard and not on whether or not they could pay the cost of tuition," Shaw said. "With this new program, we are telling talented students from families with low to moderate incomes that they should apply with confidence. If they are admitted, we'll cover their costs."

Additional Information

Fall 2008 dealine is January 1, 2008.

Monday, June 02, 2008

Lottery Changes for Tennessee Students

Below is a quick update on the Tennessee Lottery Status that the TSAC will be providing in the near future:


The renewable GPA for a college student is:

The new law allows for a 2.75 at both 24 and 48 credit hour benchmarks. The 72 and 96 credit hour benchmarks remain at 3.0 cumulative. There is no longer a 120 credit hour limit to receive the Hope and defaults tothe 5 years from the point of enrollment or the completion of a Baccalaureatedegree.

The language for the Non-Traditional Hope Scholarship has changed as well. The bill removed the first-time Freshman language and allows for a student to haveprevious college work provided it was not attained within the previous twoyears. As well, students may not become eligible for the scholarship after 12semester hours provided they have attained the Hope Scholarship renewal GPA of2.75.

The legislation also created two new programs. The first is entitled theHelping Heroes Act of 2008. This scholarship program assist those Tennessee residents who have been honorably discharged with Iraqi or Afghanistan Campaign Medals, and/or the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal. The veteran will be eligible to apply for the grant after completing six semester hours. The scholarship is limited to eight semesters in the full-time student amountof $1,000 and half-time amount of $500 per semester. The grant will be given on a first-come-first serve basis to 375 students.

The second program is entitled the Rural Health Act of 2008. This program creates five year pilot program of 25 scholarships in the first year and nomore than 50 scholarships in subsequent years. Students studying for to becomea nurse practitioner, physician assistant, physician, osteopathic physician, ordentist are eligible to apply. The students must be able to complete their work prior to the end of the pilot program. The scholarship amount is cappedat $12,000 per student per year with a program cap of $300,000 in years one andfive and $600,000 in years two, three and four. Recipients of this scholarship program must agree to serve in a designated underserved area forthe same number of years for which they received the scholarship. The studentis required to repay the scholarship for failure to meet the servicerequirement.

Tennesse Lottery Scholarship Addtional Information

Friday, May 30, 2008

Stanley Crouch, Syndicated Writer for NY Daily Post


Stanley Crouch of the New York Daily News promoted my blog in his syndicated column for NY Daily News on today, September 14, 2006. For someone of his stature to feel that my blog on College Preparation ( http://www.ctherd.blogspot.com) should be read or use as a college resource is beyond words that I can't express. I will always be grateful that he felt that information is worthy of this type of exposure. Also one of Mr. Couch goal is to educate African Americans and other Minorities on how to get information on how to prepare for college or get scholarships, etc. I am currently getting hits from the New York area and hopefully many will be hitting the site from all over the country.

The URL to the article is listed below:

New York Daily News Article

Brief Bio on Stanley Couch:

Stanley Crouch is a columnist, novelist, essayist, critic and television commentator. He has served since 1987 as an artistic consultant at Lincoln Center and is a co-founder of the department known as Jazz at Lincoln Center. In 1993, he received both the Jean Stein Award from the American Academy of Arts and Letters and a MacArthur Foundation grant. He is now working on a biography of Charlie Parker.

Overview of NY Daily News:

The Daily News of New York City is the 7th largest daily newspaper in the United States with a circulation of 795,000.[1] The paper, the first U.S. daily printed in tabloid form, first rolled off the printing presses in 1919. It is owned and run by Mortimer Zuckerman.

Overall, what I am trying to say each of you is: If someone such as Stanley Couch could go to my College Prep blog and see how it can make a differences in many African Americans and other Minorities lives, then you too could circulate the information to your friends, email buddies, church members, add to your youth links, etc. The information on the blog is priceless. It only require you to read and make use of. The sad thing is many African American don't know how to get on the College Preparation Timelines and they rely on others to say "do it now" and when they don't have that link to others, they get left behind. Let us stop relying on others, but in turn rely on ourselves. I know my blog works and I have results from my children and alot of other students/parents, so let us use it. A mind is a terrible thing to waste.

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Federal Aviation Association Air Traffic Controller Positions -- Apply Now

The Federal Aviation Association is taking applications for air traffic controller school. The FAA is hiring graduates of FAA approved post-secondary educational programs, current or former Federal employees with prior air traffic control specialist experience, former military air traffic controllers, retired military controllers, and applicants from the general public with no prior air traffic control experience.

To qualify for entry-level air traffic control specialist positions, applicants from the general public must achieve a qualifying score on the current FAA authorized pre-employment tests and measures. They must also meet the following requirements:
Three years of progressively responsible work experience and/or
A full four-year course of study leading to a bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent combination of work experience and college credits
Certain kinds of aviation experience may be qualifying
Applicants must be U.S. citizens
Be able to speak English clearly enough to be understood over radios, intercoms, and similar communications equipment
The maximum entry age is 30

Testing
Applicants from the general public and the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative (AT-CTI) Program must achieve qualifying scores on the authorized FAA pre-employment tests and measures.
Age Limitation
Information regarding the age limitation
Citizenship
Information regarding citizenship
Interview
Applicants must successfully complete an interview as specified by the Air Traffic Organization.
English Language Requirement
Candidates must be able to speak English clearly enough to be understood over radios, intercoms, and similar communications equipment.

Click here to read additional information:

Jobs Careers/


They need to go to faa.gov(http://www.faa.gov/jobs/job_opportunities/airtraffic_controllers/)for details and to fill out the application immediately - even if they don't know if they'd want to attend immediately - it's the federal government and it may take them months to call.

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

CBU Engineering: New Dual-Enrollment Course

CBU Engineering: New Dual-Enrollment Course -- Programming with 3D Graphics

This fall, the School of Engineering at Christian Brothers University is offering a new, exciting, and innovative Dual-Enrollment course for high school juniors and seniors: Introduction to Programming Using 3D Graphics.

In the course, students learn fundamental concepts of modern, powerful computer languages by creating their own 3D Movies and Interactive Games.

The course is delivered in an on-line format and can be offered at any High School with Internet access.

You may see examples of course projects at:

http://www.cbu.edu/engineering/ece130/

If you are interested in receiving more information on this course --or other CBU Engineering Dual-Enrollment offerings -- please contact engineering@cbu.edu .

Dr. Juan-Carlos Olabe, will be instructor for the course and will be pleased to provide more detailed information. Please indicate if you would like Dr. Olabe to visit your school to demonstrate the course.



Saturday, February 23, 2008

WUSTL to expand financial aid for low-income families

Washington University in St. Louis has announced that it will eliminate need-based loans as part of its undergraduate financial aid awards to students from low- and middle-income families.

Beginning in fall 2008, both entering freshmen and returning full-time undergraduate day-school students with parental incomes of less than $60,000 will not be expected to take out need-based loans and will instead receive grants from the university that will not have to be repaid. Families with parental income somewhat higher than $60,000 also may receive additional student loan relief based on demonstrated need and their financial circumstances.

The additional grant aid will be funded by the increase in spending from scholarship and unrestricted endowments in the university's four schools with undergraduate programs, as well as from unrestricted university resources.


Additional Information

Friday, January 18, 2008

A View of the Mountop -- Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Fox13 and the Civil Rights Museum created a magnificent website titled "A View from the Mountaintop". The address is: MLKinMemphis.com.

It is a wonderful way to honor the legacy of Dr King. Everything you ever wanted to know about the Civil RightsMovementand the events that led to his death are included on this site. Since young people love to browse the Internet, here is another way to engage theminsomething positive. It is very educational.

Please share this site with your family and friends.

Velma Perry

Wednesday, December 06, 2006

Colleges/Universities with Tutition Incentative Programs

Listed are some of the schools that may offer an tuition incentive's or free tuition to students with certain criterias. The schools are:

Washington University in St. Louis -- John B. Ervin Program for Minority Students:

The Ervin Scholars Program is competitive; awards are based on academic achievement, leadership, and service. They encourage students to apply who are U.S. citizens, who have challenged themselves and excelled academically, who have demonstrated leadership, who have engaged in or shown a commitment to community service, who can demonstrate their commitment to bringing diverse people together (as, for example, by
having been involved in diversity initiatives in their schools or communities), who have demonstrated a commitment to serving historically underprivileged populations, and/or who can demonstrate achievement and determination in the face of personal challenges. Ervin Scholars should embody the spirit of John Ervin and continue his legacy in the Washington University community. Click here for additional details on the John B. Ervin Program.

Rhodes College in Memphis -- Tuition Reduction Program

Rhodes College in Memphis, TN has started a Tuition Deduction for African Americans wanting to attend. The policy is that they will meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for all accepted African American students. That information is based on the FAFSA and CSS Profile. Accepted African American students will be awarded a financial aid package that covers everything that the family is not able to pay, with limited self help. This cost includes Tuition, Room and Board and the average loan amount was $2650 for the first year. Rhodes has some students enrolled who have an estimated family contribution of $0. Those students receive an aid package that covers everything. This opportunity is given to both in-state and out-of-state African American students.

If a student is a full pay African American student, they are treated just like our other full pay students. The student is still eligible for merit based scholarships and may receive some need based aid. That is all handled on a case by case basis. Click here for additional information on the College Reduction Program.

Stanford College in California -- Tutition Reduction Program

Beginning with the "Class of 2007", families with annual incomes of less than $45,000 will not be expected to contribute to the cost of tuition at Stanford University, and the requirements for middle-income families will be cut in half, Richard Shaw, dean of undergraduate admission and financial aid, announced today.

The change applies to both new and continuing undergraduate students and will go into effect with the new academic year in September. The program is anticipated to cost the university $3 million in the first year. Click here for additional information.

University of Baltimore (UB) First Scholar Program

The University of Baltimore is pleased to announce the UB First Scholars program for new freshmen beginning fall 2007. UB First Scholars offers first-year students full tuition and fees for the 2007-2008 academic year. The program has been made possible by a generous gift from an anonymous donor.

First Year Free

The UB First Scholars program covers out-of-pocket expenses for tuition and fees for all degree-seeking students enrolling as full-time, first-year students beginning fall 2007 for their first academic year. Click here for additional information.

Sunday, October 08, 2006

Colleges/Universities with Incentative Programs for Class of 2007

Listed are some of the schools that may offer an tutition incentative or free tutition to students with certain criterias. The schools are:

Washington University in St. Louis -- John B. Ervin Program for Minority Students:

The Ervin Scholars Program is competitive; awards are based on academic achievement, leadership, and service. They encourage students to apply who are U.S. citizens, who have challenged themselves and excelled academically, who have demonstrated leadership, who have engaged in or shown a commitment to community service, who can demonstrate their commitment to bringing diverse people together (as, for example, by
having been involved in diversity initiatives in their schools or communities), who have demonstrated a commitment to serving historically underprivileged populations, and/or who can demonstrate achievement and determination in the face of personal challenges. Ervin Scholars should embody the spirit of John Ervin and continue his legacy in the Washington University community. Click here for additional details on the John B. Ervin Program.

Rhodes College in Memphis -- Tutition Reduction Program

Rhodes College in Memphis, TN has started a Tutition Deduction for African Americans wanting to attend. The policy is that they will meet 100% of demonstrated financial need for all accepted African American students. That information is based on the FAFSA and CSS Profile. Accepted African American students will be awarded a financial aid package that covers everything that the family is not able to pay, with limited self help. This cost includes Tuition, Room and Board and the average loan amount was $2650 for the first year. Rhodes has some students enrolled who have an estimated family contribution of $0. Those students receive an aid package that covers everything. This opportunity is given to both in-state and out-of-state African American students.

If a student is a full pay African American student, they are treated just like our other full pay students. The student is still eligible for merit based scholarships and may receive some need based aid. That is all handled on a case by case basis. Click here for additional information on the College Reduction Program.

Stanford College in California -- Tutition Reduction Program

Beginning with the "Class of 2007", families with annual incomes of less than $45,000 will not be expected to contribute to the cost of tuition at Stanford University, and the requirements for middle-income families will be cut in half, Richard Shaw, dean of undergraduate admission and financial aid, announced today.

The change applies to both new and continuing undergraduate students and will go into effect with the new academic year in September. The program is anticipated to cost the university $3 million in the first year. Click here for additional information.

University of Baltimore (UB) First Scholar Program

The University of Baltimore is pleased to announce the UB First Scholars program for new freshmen beginning fall 2007. UB First Scholars offers first-year students full tuition and fees for the 2007-2008 academic year. The program has been made possible by a generous gift from an anonymous donor.

First Year Free

The UB First Scholars program covers out-of-pocket expenses for tuition and fees for all degree-seeking students enrolling as full-time, first-year students beginning fall 2007 for their first academic year. Click here for additional information.

Saturday, June 24, 2006

Stanford College Tutition Inititative -- Beginning: Fall 2007

Families with annual incomes of less than $45,000 will not be expected to contribute to the cost of tuition at Stanford University, and the requirements for middle-income families will be cut in half, Richard Shaw, dean of undergraduate admission and financial aid, announced today.

The change applies to both new and continuing undergraduate students and will go into effect with the new academic year in September. The program is anticipated to cost the university $3 million in the first year.

"When Jane and Leland Stanford created the university, they wanted students admitted based on their abilities, promise and willingness to work hard and not on whether or not they could pay the cost of tuition," Shaw said. "With this new program, we are telling talented students from families with low to moderate incomes that they should apply with confidence. If they are admitted, we'll cover their costs."

Additional Information

Tuesday, May 16, 2006

New Academic Grants for Students

U.S. Department of Education Announces New Academic Grants for Students

High school seniors may now be eligible for new Academic Competitiveness grants, and college students may be eligible for new National SMART Grants for the 2006-07 academic year, the U.S. Department of Education has announced. Students who complete rigorous coursework in high school or who are pursuing degrees in math, science and critical foreign languages are eligible for a portion of $790 million in new federal funding for higher education.

Academic Competitiveness Grants

Under the Academic Competitiveness Grants program, grants will be available to students in their first and second years of college. Congress has established that an eligible first-year student may receive up to $750 and eligible second-year students may receive up to $1,300. In order to be eligible, students must have completed a rigorous secondary school program of study and be enrolled in or accepted at a two- or four-year degree-granting institution of higher education.

For the 2006-07 academic year, the Department will immediately recognize four options for demonstrating successful completion of a rigorous program of study:

*Advanced or honors diplomas conferred by States;

*State Scholars Initiative requirements;

*A set of courses similar to those under the State Scholars Initiative (four years of English, three years of math, three years of science three years of social studies, and one year of a foreign language); or

*Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses and scores (two AP or IB courses and passing scores on the exams for those courses).

National SMART Grants

Under the National SMART Grants program, up to $4,000 will be available to eligible students in the third and fourth years of college and pursuing a major in mathematics, physical sciences, life sciences, computer sciences, technology, engineering, or a critical need foreign language. Students must have a cumulative 3.0 college GPA. Federal guidelines provide students and institutions of higher education with information about which eligible postsecondary majors will qualify students for grants.

*Guidelines are posted on the Federal Student Aid website:
http://www.ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/GEN0604.html.

*A list of eligible majors is posted at:
http://www.ifap.ed.gov/dpcletters/GEN0606.html.

More information is available at: Press Release.

Sunday, April 23, 2006

USA JOBS - United States Federal Government

Outstanding Scholar Program


Who is Eligible: Individuals who have a bachelors degree and graduated with a 3.45 grade point average or higher, based on a 4.0 scale for all completed undergraduate course work; or have graduated in the upper ten percent of their class or major university subdivision.

Description: The Outstanding Scholar Provision was created as the result of the Luevano Consent Decree which provided for the elimination of under representation of Blacks and Hispanics in specific occupations (through development of examining procedures that would be consistent with the provisions of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, as amended). Through the decree, the courts provided agencies a mechanism to non-competitively hire college graduates with GPAs of 3.45 or above into permanent, entry-level competitive service jobs at the GS-5/7 levels.

These appointments may only be made in specific occupations previously covered under the U.S. Office of Personnel Management=s Administrative Careers with America (ACWA). These occupations include: Health, Safety and Environmental Occupations; Writing and Public Information Occupations; Business, Finance and Management Occupations; Personnel, Administration and Computer Occupations; and Law Enforcement and Investigation Occupations.

Pay: Salary

Duration: Career-Conditional/Career.

Contact: Vacancies will be posted on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management website at http://www.usajobs.opm.gov and at USA Jobs by Phone (478) 757-3000, when available.
Deadline: Year round