Scholarship Application

SHENENDEHOWA DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS scholarship applicants must be residents of the Shenendehowa School District, graduating seniors receiving an accredited high school degree, and applicants to accredited post-secondary institutions.

Awards are based on community service, academic achievement and letters of reference. The awards committee will also take into consideration special circumstances affecting students' achievements. The process is based on fair and objective standards developed by our national organization, Scholarship America (formerly Citizens' Scholarship Foundation of America).

The committee is composed of selected Shen DFS board members and community representatives (all volunteers). They review and assign a numerical scale to applications which are anonymous.

Winners are not identified until the selection process is complete.

IMPORTANT: If you do not specify a scholarship listed below on your application, you are applying for a Shenendehowa Dollars for Scholars $500 scholarship, which requires the completion of an essay. If you apply for a scholarship listed below, do not receive it, and have not completed a DFS essay, you will NOT be eligible for the DFS scholarship.

2011 Scholarship Application 

IMPORTANT REQUIREMENTS:

1. The application must be fully completed including all necessary signatures.

2. A current official transcript of grades must be attached.

3. Two letters of reference from someone who knows you well (teacher, counselor, minister, employer, others) must be included.

4. We must receive a copy of your acceptance letter from the college you decide to attend, if you are selected for a scholarship.

5.  One personal essay which specifically addresses several key points as mentioned in the Scholarship Application. 

6.  If you wish to be eligible for a Shenendehowa DFS $500 scholarship, you must complete the DFS essay requirement on the application. Some of the scholarships/awards below require an additional essay on a specific topic if you are also applying for them.

7.  If you plan on applying for a scholarship/award listed below, check the eligibility requirements carefully. Do not apply for a scholarship if you have not demonstrated in the application that you meet the requirements.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS

FOR 2011 (in addition to general $500 Shenendehowa Dollars for Scholars Scholarships):

1) ADAM HASWELL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP:
This award was established in memory of a member of the 2004 senior class at Shenendehowa. The criteria specifies a graduating senior from Shen planning to attend a 2 or 4 year college. The recipient will be an active participant in recreational or school sports and/or work part-time, and have the following personal qualities: willingness to help others, understanding of people's differences, outgoing personality and ability to maintain a positive attitude through happiness and adversity. ($500)


2) SUSAN JILL HUGHES MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP for ELEMENTARY EDUCATION: Named in memory of a former student and grade 2 teacher at Tesago Elementary School, the scholarship is for a Shenendehowa High School graduate who will be attending SUNY Geneseo (preference) or a NYS college, majoring in elementary education. The recipient should have demonstrated commitment, involvement and success in working with elementary-age children and should have a joyful, positive outlook on children and life. Requires 2 letters of reference. ($1,000)

3) COMMUNITY NEWS SCHOLARSHIP:
Attach two writing samples. Preference will be given to a student interested in journalism or newswriting as a career. ($1,000)

4) KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS SCHOLARSHIPS: Three (3) $500 scholarships have been provided through the generosity of the K of C, Fr. Robert C. Scott Council 11064, Clifton Park, NY, for high school seniors (1) who are permanent residents of the Shenendehowa School District who attend any public, parochial or private high school;  and (2) who are Roman Catholic  - preferably parishioners of St. Edward's Church - and who can provide a letter of endorsement from a priest  and (3) who plan to matriculate at a Catholic institution of higher education. One of the three scholarships may be awarded to a student who has experienced educational, physical or emotional challenges. 

5) ROLAND L. FELANO MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: A long-time, well-known resident of Clifton Park, Roland Felano loved life and dedicated himself through his leadership in the Knights of Columbus to improving others' lives through charitable acts. His commitment and personality inspired many to join in the good works of the Knights including supporting the Shenendehowa Dollars for Scholars program to open up opportunities for the youth of our community. This scholarship is offered to honor his service to others. Similar to the K of C Scholarship above, recipients must meet items (1) and (2) which includes a letter of endorsement from a priest. ($500)

6) NEW YORK LONG TERM BROKERS LTD. SCHOLARSHIP
Students interested in business, marketing or advertising as a career. Members of DECA or Future Business Leaders of America encouraged to apply. ($1,000)

7) NICOLE LEE MEMORIAL AWARD: 
The award was named to honor the memory of Nicole Marie Lee, a former Shenendehowa High School student. The criteria specifies the recipient must be a graduating senior who was a former Gowana Middle School student. The recipient will identify a demonstrated commitment to creativity, compassion for others, and personal achievement through adversity. ($1,000)

8) PATRICK JAMES (PJ) O'DONNELL MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: The award was established by his family to perpetuate the memory of his courage, quest for knowledge, faith, and endearing personality. PJ was a senior at Siena College majoring in accounting when he passed away in 1989 at the age of 21. He was a varsity wrestler and a member of the National Honor Society while at Shenendehowa Class of 1985.($500)

9) MATTHEW F. PROCTOR MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: The scholarship is for a Shenendehowa High School graduate who will be enrolling in a four-year program in New York State.  The scholarship was established in Matt's honor to acknowledge those students who share his love of learning and dedication to their education. Matt faced incredible challenges with grace, dignity and unstoppable optimism, and it is hoped that his scholarship will inspire graduating seniors to appreciate their precious gift of "life" as he did. An ideal candidate would be one who has had to deal with personal adversity but yet remained positive and optimistic. ($500)

10) EMERICK FUNERAL HOME:  JOHN J. SANVIDGE MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP: John J. Sanvidge dedicated his life to reaching out to others in the depths of grief, serving as a pillar of the community of Troy, and exhibiting his personal warmth and goodness to all. Reflecting a positive, outgoing personality and attitude, the recipient of this scholarship will have participated in community involvement activities to help others in need, such as the poor, the elderly, the lonely, or the grieving. The recipient plans to enter the helping professions, such as mortuary science or social services. ($1,000)

2011 Scholarship Application

IMPORTANT: 2010 Program has ended. No further applications accepted. 

SHENENDEHOWA DOLLARS FOR SCHOLARS
P.O. BOX 4390
CLIFTON PARK, NY 12065 - OR BRING TO YOUR HIGH SCHOOL GUIDANCE OFFICE

(Note that your guidance office may have an earlier deadline, which must be honored! All applications must be postmarked by March 11, 2011. Shenendehowa High School seniors must return the completed applications to the counseling center by  February 21, 2010.)

(This application is in PDF format. To view it, you will need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you don't already have Acrobat Reader installed on your computer, you may download it from Adobe by clicking on the icon below and following the instructions .