Skip to main content
DistrictCampus
CAMPUS
  2. Scholarships And Financial Aid

Scholarships And Financial Aid

FAFSA Info

 

FAFSA Graduation Requirement

FSAID and FAFSA Help Slides

FAFSA Help Videos

FAFSA Guide

Financial Aid Toolkit

FAFSA HANDS ON EVENTS

FAFSA Opt-Out Form

FAFSA News

 

 

SCHOLARSHIPS

**LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS click here**

Also, check out these:

Parents and students, please remember to send a copy of any scholarship the student has received to the CHS Counseling Center.

Every student should complete the FAFSA even if you don’t think you’ll qualify for grants. Some federal aid is not based on need. Most university scholarships require that you complete the FAFSA. See above for more info.

Many scholarships require an ACT or SAT score, so don’t wait too long to take this test. See “ACT and SAT Info.”

  • Look for scholarships at places where you or your parents are involved such as clubs, civic groups, religious or community organizations, professional associations related to your field of interest, ethnicity-based organizations, your employer or your parents’ employers. For example, there are scholarships for the children of Amarillo city employees, for students who are into dove hunting or the NRA, for minorities pursuing studies in engineering, for members of a Methodist church, and for students whose lives have been affected by Alzheimer’s disease. Look for connections.

     

  • Scholarship forms can be a simple as a 1 page application, but typically require much more like a transcript and essay. Find out well before the deadline so you can be prepared. Some require a great deal of work. For example, the Sybil Harrington Foundation requires a 2-page application, a 2-page reference form, a statement of personal need form, a 2-page essay, a tax return, a photo, official transcript and ACT/SAT scores.

  • Scholarships can be from anyone for anything. Some are actually contests or essay competitions. Many have specific students in mind, like Hispanic students who want to be teachers, or females in business. However, in general most are looking for involved students with good grades. Involvement both in school and in the community is great to have. Leadership experience is an excellent attribute. Leadership is not limited to official jobs like being a club officer, but also includes informal activities like initiating a blood drive, or being a leader in a church youth group. Keep track of all you’ve done throughout your school career.

  • You should not have to pay for any scholarships.

    Seven basic warning signs (College Board) (Federal Trade Commission)

    1. “This scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”
    2. “You can’t get this information anywhere else.”
    3. “May I have your credit card/bank account number to hold this scholarship.”
    4. “We’ll do all the work for you.”
    5. “The scholarship will cost some money.”
    6. “You’ve been selected by a national foundation to receive a scholarship.”
    7. “You’re a finalist” in a competition you never entered.

  • Sybil Harrington Foundation February –  www.actx.edu/foundation
    Amarillo Area Foundation March –  Amarillo Area Foundation Scholarships
    Opportunity Plan April 1 –  opi.publishpath.com
    Windmill Scholarship from Panhandle-Plans March 1 –  Windmill Scholarship 

  • FastWeb Scholarship Search – www.fastweb.com
    Going Merry – www.goingmerry.com
    Scholarships.com – www.scholarships.com
    Student Scholarships – www.studentscholarships.org
    Raise Me – www.raise.me
    Scholly App (small fee) myscholly.com
    BigFuture (College Board) – bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search
    Every Chance Every Texan (Texas-focused index) – www.everychanceeverytexan.org/
    Cappex – www.cappex.com/scholarships/

  • The top priority is at the university you will be attending. In most cases you must first apply for admission, so be aware of scholarship deadlines so you can have your admissions application in well before the scholarship deadline. If you are in the top 25% or so, you maybe be eligible for guaranteed scholarships.

    Another good place to look is local pools of scholarships. These allow you to apply for many scholarships at once. Don’t miss these! See below.

    Also listed on this website are local scholarship opportunities under “local scholarships.” These are highlighted because they are from local organizations for local students.

    See “Find a connection” for insight in knowing where to look.  

    Finally, use the websites below to find hundreds of possible general scholarships.

    Keep track of scholarship deadlines!

    • Incomplete applications – even a single blank will usually results in a disqualification.
    • Poor handwriting / grammar – sloppy work does not indicate a quality candidate
    • Late – deadlines are deadlines

     

    ​Be sure and fill out applications completely, correctly, neatly, and include all documentation by the deadline.

COUNSELING Navigation