Students quest for scholarships opportunities

SHS students are not always aware of all the resources available to them, especially in terms of scholarships. There are a variety of scholarships made available through the school.

After students complete their college applications, the number one priority for many, particular in these difficult economic times, becomes seeking scholarships. Scholarship resources are available throughout the school, but according to the College and Career Center Coordinator Bonnie Sheikh, students cannot just wait for the information to fall in their laps; they have to take matters into their own hands.

“Students need to be more proactive,” said Sheikh. “We have all kinds of resources available. Information about scholarships is explained at the Fall guidance meetings; we also send emails through Naviance; we put out the Falcon Futures newsletters with scholarship information and websites; there are scholarship reference books, pamphlets and guides in the College and Career Center, and we have a in depth listing of scholarships available on the school website.

The school used to send packets to the homes of senior students containing scholarship information, but this is no longer done since the resources are available throughout the web and the school. According to Sheikh, the scholarship process is a rigorous job that requires hard work and much research, which is why so many assets are available.

According to Sheikh, students need to go on the school website under “Academics” and look for the Financial Aid/Scholarships link, where there is a whole list of updated scholarships. Part of that list is Faculty Committee scholarships, which require students to see Mrs. Sheikh in the Guidance Office or send her an email, to add their name to a list for nomination consideration. If kids are selected for nomination, they can start applying for those scholarships. The other part of the list provides information on scholarships which students can apply to on their own as well. Students should note that all scholarships have deadlines that must be strictly adhered to.

“It is completely up to the students how much effort they put in to getting scholarships, the more you apply to, the more you’ll get,” said Sheikh. “It’s not a lack of information, students just need to be more practical to utilize those resources.”