Claudia Pickeral Memorial Scholarship Established

The NAACP, St. Mary’s County Branch in partnership with the Claudia Pickeral Reward Fund Committee founded a scholarship in honor of 13 year old Claudia who was the victim of a homicide that occurred in Bushwood , St. Mary’s County, Md. on February 19, 1997. On that day, Claudia exited her school bus, and was walking along a dirt road leading to her residence when she was brutally attacked and murdered.

The scholarship fund will award two five-hundred dollar academic scholarships annually to deserving students who have been accepted to or are currently attending an accredited college, university, trade or technical school.
We believe this to be a very appropriate way to honor Claudia’s memory, Wayne Scriber, President of the NAACP, St. Mary’s County Branch, said of the scholarship. “Her young life ended too soon for her to realize her potential, but with the help of this scholarship she will be helping another young person realize theirs.”

Eligible applicants must be residents of St. Mary’s County. Applicants must be accepted at or currently attending an accredited college, university, trade or technical school. Applicants who have been awarded full scholarships from other sources are not eligible. Non-awarded applicants are eligible to re-apply. Upon receipt of the scholarship, the applicant must be a member of the NAACP. Contact www.stmarysnaacp.org for membership information.

The St. Mary County Business, Education and Community Alliance, Inc. (BECA) will assist the NAACP with the administration of the Claudia Pickeral Scholarship. For more information on the application process contact BECA at 21783 North Coral Drive, Lexington Park, Maryland, 20653, phone number (240)725-5805, www.smcbeca.org.

For more information about the NAACP, St. Mary’s County Branch or to make contributions to the scholarship fund call (301) 863-3011 or visit our website at www.stmarysnaacp.org.

Additional Scholarship Opportunities:

• List of Scholarships available through The St. Mary's County Business, Education and Community Alliance, Inc. (BECA)
• Student Inventors Scholarships 
• Student Video Scholarships 
• Coca-Cola Two Year College Scholarships
• Holocaust Remembrance Scholarships 
• Ayn Rand Essay Scholarships 
• Brand Essay Competition
• Gates Millennium Scholarships
• Xerox Scholarships for Students
• Sports Scholarships and Internships 
• National Assoc. of Black Journalists Scholarships (NABJ)
• Saul T. Wilson Scholarships (Veterinary)
• Thurgood Marshall Scholarship Fund
• FinAid: The Smart Students Guide to Financial Aid scholarships
• Presidential Freedom Scholarships
• Microsoft Scholarship Program
• WiredScholar Free Scholarship Search
• Hope Scholarships & Lifetime Credits 
• William Randolph Hearst Endowed Scholarship for Minority Students
• Multiple List of Minority Scholarships
• Guaranteed Scholarships 
• BOEING scholarships
• Easley National Scholarship Program 
• Maryland Artists Scholarships 
• Jacki Tuckfield Memorial Graduate Business Scholarship 
• Historically Black College & University Scholarships
• Actuarial Scholarships for Minority Students
• International Students Scholarships & Aid Help 
• College Board Scholarship Search
• Burger King Scholarship Program 
• Siemens Westinghouse Competition 
• GE and LuLac Scholarship Funds
• CollegeNet's Scholarship Database
• Union Sponsored Scholarships and Aid
• 25 Scholarship Gateways from Black Excel
• Scholarship Links (Ed Finance Group) 
• Scholarships and Fellowships 
• Scholarships for Study in Paralegal Studies 
• HBCU Packard Sit Abroad Scholarships (for study around the world)
• Scholarship and Fellowship Opportunities  
• INROADS internships
• Black Alliance for Educational Options Scholarships
• ScienceNet Scholarship Listing
• Graduate Fellowships For Minorities Nationwide
• RHODES SCHOLARSHIPS AT OXFORD 
• The Roothbert Scholarship Fund

Scholarships Available through the Lexington Park Rotary Club

All Lexington Park Rotary Club scholarships have specific information necessary to complete the application process.  Applicants must submit the ST. MARY’S COUNTY 2009 COMMON SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION found on the St. Mary's County Business, Education and Community Alliance, Inc. (BECA) website.

• Rotary Collegiate
  (Up to $2000, may be renewable)
  2009 graduate of a public or private high school or certified home school in St. Mary's County with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. In addition, the recipient of the Mike Marley Memorial Scholarship ($1000, one time) is selected from the Rotary Collegiate applicants.
   
• Vocational Technical
  ($2000, one time)
  2009 graduate of a St. Mary's County Public High School who also completed a vocational or technical program in either a home school or at the Dr. James A. Forrest Career and Technology Center.
   
• Doris Darrah Mathematics Education
  ($1000, one time)
  2009 graduate of a public or private high school or certified home school in St. Mary's County with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Have demonstrated aptitude and interest in mathematics as evidenced in course work. Intend to major in mathematics education at an accredited college or university.
   
• Ann Houston Green Music Education
  ($1000, one time)
  2009 graduate of a public or private high school or certified home school in St. Mary's County. Have demonstrated academic excellence in high school. Have a recognized vocal or instrumental musical talent. Intend to major in music or music education at an accredited college or university and intend to pursue a career in music education.
   
• Greg H. Clarke Aviation/Military
  ($1250, one time)
  2009 graduating senior from Great Mills High School, Great Mills, MD with a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher. Intend to pursue a career in aviation or the military or students that intend to pursue a degree in management, business, economics, engineering and the like.
   
• Southern Maryland Online Scholarship
  ($500, one time)
  Eligible applicants include any 2009 St. Mary’s County high school graduate who has achieved a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher and has completed two full high school years in the St. Mary’s County Public School system. The applicant must demonstrates financial need and enroll in an accredited college or university in the 2009-2010 Academic Year.
   
• St. Mary’s County Public Schools Retirees Association
  (Up to $5000 - $2000 first year, $1000 each of the next 3 years)
  Eligible applicants include any 2009 graduating senior from a St. Mary’s County high school who proposes to follow a curriculum of advanced education in the field of teaching. Applicants must have a cumulative high school G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher as a minimum requirement. The recipient must be enrolled in a teacher education program at a four-year college or university, or in a transfer program at the College of Southern Maryland. By checking the box to apply for this scholarship, the applicant indicates awareness that the scholarship recipient must return to teach in the St. Mary’s County Public School system for a period of two years, immediately following college graduation. The chosen recipient will be required to sign a formal Memorandum of Understanding in order to receive the scholarship. If the recipient does not return to teach, the scholarship must be repaid.
   
• St. Mary’s Hospital Foundation Scholarship
  (Up to $2200 per semester for up to four years, multiple awards)
  ONLY for Nursing and Allied Health Careers
  Candidate must have had at least a 3.0 high school GPA, if applying within four (4) years of high school graduation. The scholarship is available to residents of all three Southern Maryland counties. See http://www.smhwecare.com/careers_healthcarescholarships.html for more information. You may use the application found at that site, or this document, the St. Mary’s Common Scholarship Application
   
• Computer Sciences Corporation Applied Technology Division -
  PAX River Career Development Program
  Eligible applicants must be residents of St. Mary's or Calvert Counties. Applications will be accepted from 2009 graduating seniors, incoming college sophomores, juniors, and seniors, however, preference will be given to incoming sophomores and juniors. The applicant must be enrolled in an accredited public or private college or university and pursue an academic major related to science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM). Preference will be given to applicants enrolled in electrical engineering majors. The recipient will be eligible for an award of up to $15,000 per year, which must be applied to tuition, associated lab fees, and books. The recipient must remain in good academic standing (no academic or disciplinary probation), must maintain at least a 2.5 GPA, must graduate with a degree in a STEM related major, and must sign a letter of commitment to work for a minimum of two years for CSC upon graduation if a relevant job is available at Patuxent River or at another CSC job site. Should the recipient change majors outside of STEM disciplines, become academically ineligible, or fail to graduate, all scholarship funds paid to date must be reimbursed to CSC. The recipient will be hired as a part time CSC employee and will be eligible for employment on CSC contracts at Pax River during summer vacations and during vacation breaks during the school year.
   
• Marine Corps Aviation Association (MCAA) John Glenn Squadron Scholarship
  (Up to $5000, may be renewable, multiple awards possible)
  Eligible applicants include any 2009 graduate of all Tri-County high schools, and the dependents (spouses and children) of MCAA John Glenn Squadron members who may reside outside the Tri-County area. Applicants must be pursuing a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM).
   
• Compass Systems, Inc. Engineering Scholarship
  ($1,000, may be renewable)
  Eligible applicants must be a resident of St Mary’s County. Applications will be accepted for 2009 high school seniors, and incoming college sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are attending any accredited 2 or 4 yr college in an engineering curriculum (excluding trade schools) Ex: Electrical, Software, Mechanical, and Systems engineer. The student must be in good academic standing. Student will be eligible for any open intern positions with Compass during the summer break. Applications will be reviewed by a panel of Compass engineering staff. Payment will be made by check directly to the selected college on behalf of the student as part of tuition, books, labs, etc.
   
• St. Mary's County Council of PTAs sponsorship of the Lettie Marshall Dent Scholarship
  ($500, one –time multiple awards)
  Eligible applicants include any 2009 graduating senior from a St. Mary’s County public high school who proposes to follow a curriculum of advanced education in the field of teaching. Applicants must have a cumulative high school G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher as a minimum requirement and a winning “Career Goal Narrative”. The recipient must be enrolled in a teacher education program at a four-year college or university, or in a transfer program at the College of Southern Maryland. By checking the box to apply for this scholarship, the applicant indicates awareness that the scholarship recipient must pursue a career in education in the public schools of St. Mary's County. Awards will be given to one eligible applicant from each of the public high schools in St. Mary's County.
   
• St. Mary’s County Scholarship Fund
  (Varied up to $2000 +, may be renewable)
  Eligible applicants must be of African-American heritage and residents of St. Mary's County. Applications accepted from graduating high school seniors or college students enrolled in any accredited 2 or 4 year institution. First time applicants are required to have an interview with the Committee on a set date (TBA) - usually on a weekday in early May. Decisions are based on financial need and a good academic record.
   
• Southern Maryland Corvette Club
  ($1,000 may be renewable)
  Eligible applicant must be a 2009 graduate of a St. Mary’s County public or private high school. Preference will be given to students who plan to pursue a career in automotive design or engineering. Students in a vocational or technical program in automotive repair will also be considered.
   
• St. Mary's County Chamber of Commerce Scholarship
  ($1000, one time)
  Eligible applicants include any 2009 St. Mary's County high school graduate who has achieved a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5; has successfully completed the 2-year program at the Forrest Center, as evidenced by a Dr. Forrest Center Standard Certificate and plans to enroll in an accredited college, university, community college, technical or trade school in the 2009-2010 academic year. Applicant must intend to return to St. Mary’s County to work following graduation.
   
• Leonardtown Rotary Scholarship
  ($1000 renewable)
  Eligible applicants include any St. Mary’s County resident who is a graduating senior of a public or private St. Mary’s County school with a GPA of 3.0 or greater.
   
• Charlotte Hall Rotary Scholarship
  ($1000, two awards)
  Eligible applicant must be a 2009 graduating senior from Chopticon High School.
   
• Educational Systems Federal Credit Union
  ($2000)
  To apply, you must be younger than 21 years of age, a member of Educational Systems Employees Federal Credit Union and be a high school senior with a 2.0 or better cumulative grade point average.

All Lexington Park Rotary Club scholarships have specific information necessary to complete the application process.  Applicants must submit the ST. MARY’S COUNTY 2009 COMMON SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION found on the St. Mary's County Business, Education and Community Alliance, Inc. (BECA) website.

For more information on the application process contact BECA at 21783 North Coral Drive, Lexington Park, Maryland, 20653, phone number (240)725-5805, www.smcbeca.org.

African-American Women in Computer Science
($4000 to $10,000)
Florida A & M University is providing an outstanding opportunity for Black women entering college in the fall of 2009. It is designed to address their absence in the field of computer technology. Dr. Jason Black is the Principal Investigator of a recently awarded $552,000 NSF Grant entitled African-American Women in Computer Science. The grant provides scholarships from $4000 to $10,000 per year for female African American students.

For more information, contact: Florida A & M University.  Also on this site is a listing of over 150 Free Scholarships for Minorities.

Scholarships Available through the National NAACP

All National NAACP scholarships have specific information necessary to complete the application process.  Applicants must reference the NAACP SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION AND APPLICATION INFORMATION found on the National NAACP website.

• Earl G. Graves Scholarship
  ($5,000 )
  Eligibility: Applicant must be a junior or senior Business major enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States; or a graduate student enrolled to a master’s or doctoral program within a Business school at an accredited college or university in the United States (applicant may apply during their sophomore years.) Applicant must currently be in good academic standing and making satisfactory progress toward an undergraduate or graduate degree. Applicant must be a full-time student.  Applicant must be in the top 20% of his/her class. Applicant need not demonstrate a financial need.
   
• Agnes Jones Jackson Scholarship
  (Undergraduate: $1,500 Graduate: $2,500)
  Eligibility: Applicant must be a current member of the NAACP. Applicant must submit a copy of their NAACP membership card or membership application to verify membership.  Applicant must be a United States citizen and be enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States.  Undergraduate applicant must be a full-time student. If a student drops below the required full-time status, the Scholarship Selection Committee will adjust the grant received to 50% of the award allocated for that semester. Graduate applicant may be a full- or part-time student.
  Graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students must possess a grade point average of 2.5 (C+) on a 4.0 system. Graduate students must possess a 3.0 (B) average on a 4.0 system.
   
• Lillian & Samuel Sutton Education Scholarship
  (Undergraduate: $1,000 Graduate: $2,000)
  Eligibility: Applicant must be an Education major and a United States citizen enrolled in an accredited college in the United States.  NAACP membership and participation is highly desirable.  Undergraduate applicant must be a full-time student. If a student drops below the required full-time status, the Scholarship Selection Committee will adjust the grant received to 50% of the award allocated for that semester. Graduate students may be full or part-time students.  Graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students must possess a grade point average of 2.5 (C+) on a 4.0 system. Graduate students must possess a 3.0 (B) average on a 4.0 system.  Renewals will not be automatic. Recipients will have to compete for the renewal of their scholarship and must maintain a 2.5 GPA for undergraduates and a 3.0 for graduates to qualify for renewal. Additional information such as recent GPA, and verification of education major will be considered.
   
• Roy Wilkins Scholarship
  ($1,000)
  Eligibility:  Applicant must be an entering freshman.  Applicant must be a United States citizen enrolled in an accredited college in the United States.  NAACP membership and participation is highly desirable. Undergraduate applicants must be full-time students. If a student drops below the required full-time status, the Scholarship Selection Committee will adjust the grant received to 50% of the award allocated for that semester. Applicant must possess a grade point average of at least 2.5 (C+) on a 4.0 system.  The Roy Wilkins Scholarship is not renewable.
   
• Hubertus W. V. Wellems Scholarship For Male Students
  (Undergraduate: $2,000 Graduate: $3,000)
  Eligibility:  Applicant must be a male majoring in one of the following fields: Engineering, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematical Sciences. Applicant must be a United States citizen and be applying to or accepted at an accredited college (excluding proprietary schools) in the United States. NAACP membership and participation is highly desirable.  Undergraduate applicant must be a full-time student. If a student drops below the required full-time status, the Scholarship Selection Committee will adjust the grant received to 50% of the award allocated for that semester. Graduate students may be full or part-time students.
  Graduating high school seniors and undergraduate students must possess a grade point average of 2.5 (C+) on a 4.0 system.  Graduate students must possess a 3.0 (B) average on a 4.0 system.  Applicant must demonstrate financial need.

All National NAACP scholarships have specific information necessary to complete the application process.  Applicants must reference the NAACP SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION AND APPLICATION INFORMATION found on the National NAACP website.

Resources to Help with Looking for Financial Aid, Scholarships and Grants

• FAFSA On The Web (Your Key Aid Form & Info) 
• Aid & Resources For Re-Entry Students 
• Scholarship & Financial Aid Help

Disclaimer: St. Mary's County NAACP cannot guarantee that any applicant will win any particular scholarship.  Links made available to you from the St. Mary's County NAACP's web site will allow you to leave the St. Mary's County NAACP web site. Please be aware that the Internet sites available through these links, and the material that you may find there, are not under the control of St. Mary's County NAACP. Accordingly, St. Mary's County NAACP is not responsible for the availability of such external sites or resources and does not make any representation to you about these sites or the materials available there. That St. Mary's County NAACP has made these links available to you is not an endorsement or recommendation to you by St. Mary's County NAACP of any of these sites or liable for any content, advertising, products, or other materials on or available from such sites or resources. St. Mary's County NAACP shall not be responsible or liable, directly or indirectly, for any damage or loss caused or alleged to be caused by or in connection with use of or reliance on any such content, goods or services available on or through any such site or resource. St. Mary's County NAACP is providing these links only as a convenience to you.