Scholarships

AHELA is now accepting applications for the 2008 - 2009 school year. The deadline for all scholarships is March 5th, 2008.

AHELA Cares - This scholarship is to increase access to higher education for low-income or disadvantaged youth. Applicants must be from a family with income less than or equal to $30,000.00. Scholarship winners will be selected based on financial need and a short essay.

AHELA Nurses - This scholarship is to address Arizona's nurse shortage by supporting nursing education students. Nursing students will be selected based on academic achievement, financial need, and involvement in nursing organizations and community activities related to health care.

AHELA Educators - This scholarship is to address Arizona's teacher shortage by supporting teaching education students. Teaching students will be selected based on academic achievement, financial need, and involvement in nursing organizations and community activities related to health care.

AHELA Community Leaders - This scholarship is to encourage students to be involved and active in our community, as well as support students as they pursue the education and skills necessary to be successful leaders. Scholarship winners will be selected based on community activities and involvement, academic achievement, and financial need.

Check back often for more scholarship opportunities.

For a list of previous scholarship winners click here.

Finding Scholarships

Before borrowing money, make sure you explore all of your options. You may qualify for grants and scholarships.

First check for local scholarships that are not advertised nationally. Good places to start are with your employer and your parents' employers, your bank, local rotary clubs and community organizations, your religious organization, your school, your local library, foundations, and organizations that represent your cultural heritage, career field, or that of your parents.

Also, check with the school you plan on attending, which often offer scholarships for specific career fields or scholarships for individuals only attending their school. Many schools will have these scholarships, along with other local scholarships, listed on their website or a printed scholarship list available from the financial aid office.

University of Arizona Scholarship List

Arizona State University Scholarship List

Northern Arizona University Scholarshp List

Beware of 'paid scholarship services' or companies that 'guarantee money for school'. You can use free search engines to locate and apply for scholarships and will have the same opportunity to win the scholarship.

Perform key word searches on the Internet for scholarships, specifically include key words, such as intended career and associated professional organizations.

Some free sites for scholarship research include:

Scholarship Tips for Success

Read the Fine Print - Be sure you meet all qualifications prior to spending time on a specific scholarship.

Play the Odds - Apply for several scholarships. Don't limit yourself to one or two applications. Also, smaller, local scholarships for your specific school are likely to have less applicants and competition.

Know your Odds - Some scholarship sponsors will publish the number of applicants and the number of scholarships awarded the previous year. If not, it is ok to call the scholarship sponsor and request this information. If there is only 2 scholarships available and the sponsor received 2,000 applications, you may want to invest your time into a different scholarship application.

Focus on your Strengths - If you are an athlete, focus on athletic scholarships. If you are an 'A' student, focus on merit-based scholarships or those based on GPA. Don't randomly select scholarships that you don't likely have the experience or skill to win.

Meet all Deadlines - Mark a calendar and track all required application deadlines. If you miss a deadline, you will be automatically disqualified.

Be Prepared - Scholarship applications often require similar information. To save time create a folder that includes a copy of your tax forms, your resume or work history, community service or volunteer experience, school clubs and activities, transcript, and recommendation letters. Keep a copy of every application and essay you submit in this same folder. It will save you time and keep you on track!