Time to apply: Dollars for Scholars chapter urges seniors to try

If that's not enough enticement to motivate members of the Worthington High School (WHS) Class of 2017 to get busy, it's hard to know what is.

"It's almost like free money that recognizes the work students have already put into their academic careers," said Adam Johnson, the 2016-17 president of the Worthington Dollars for Scholars chapter.

"Definitely it's worth their time to apply for a scholarship, because the payback — if they qualify — is going to help with their higher education costs."

Johnson and the 12 other local Dollars for Scholars board members have done everything possible to make it easy for WHS seniors to make a bid for scholarships, which are presented in an annual ceremony each May.

With the application (mirroring those of most national colleges and universities today) being online, teens needn't wait until a month prior to the March 15 deadline to enter their personal data, academic statistics and short answers.

"Students can actually start their applications at any time throughout their high school careers," stressed Lakeyta Swinea, a WHS counselor and Dollars for Scholars board member.

"The 2017 application window begins on Jan. 15, when students can first submit a finished application, and the deadline is March 15."

Scholarship applications are objectively evaluated at the Scholarship America offices in St. Peter based on students' personal data (including employment, extracurricular activities and demonstrated leadership), with GPAs, class rank, ACT scores and appraisals from a teacher or counselor also being considered.

"Students should take advantage of this opportunity because it's local and funds are awarded only to WHS seniors," said Swinea. "That means the likelihood of receiving a scholarship is pretty high in comparison to maybe getting a national scholarship."

Indeed, 25 WHS Class of 2016 graduates were Dollars for Scholars recipients, with a total of $23,650 benefiting those individuals. Awards ranged from $500 to $1,250.

"I agreed to volunteer with Dollars for Scholars because I saw it as a chance to help students achieve their higher education goals," affirmed Johnson.

"Sometimes, when considering the total cost of a college education, these might seem like nominal amounts, but the awards are still a terrific recognition of the work students have already put in, and having personally struggled under student loan debt, every penny you don't have to earn or borrow is important."

Johnson is also an advocate for Dollars for Scholars because of the organization's extremely low overhead costs.

"Almost every dollar raised or donated is paid out to scholarship recipients," he emphasized, adding that the local group is run entirely by volunteers. "There are very few operating costs; it's a ridiculously efficient charity."

Efficient, but also effective. In fact, the national Dollars for Scholars program (which has evolved into the overseeing organization known as Scholarship America) has stood the test of time. Its founder, Dr. Irving Fradkin of Fall River, Mass., died on Nov. 19, 2016, at the age of 95.

Fradkin was a true believer in the value of college educations, and he originated Dollars for Scholars over 60 years ago by seeking contributions of $1 per household to aid all graduating high school seniors in Fall River in their college quests.

Fradkin's wish was that recipients would eventually take their turns in donating to support younger students.

"The scholarship money is not a handout, but a hand up," Fradkin once said.

Locally, the Worthington Dollars for Scholars chapter has given over $509,000 to 1,305 WHS seniors since 1984.

"That money has helped students further their post-secondary educations and pursue their future plans," said Swinea.

In addition to the money awarded, Johnson hopes the recipients gain in other ways.

"We'd like the students to see these scholarships as a form of buy-in from their community for their futures," he said.

"We want them to see we have confidence in them and are expecting great things from them, and we'd like to help them along in that process and give some extra incentive to succeed."

But first, eligible seniors must take the time and effort to apply.

"The senior year of high school can be pretty busy for prospective college students as they wrap up an important era of their life," acknowledged Johnson.

"The sooner they start and complete this application, the better it will feel for them to have it finished as more things mount up toward the end of the year.

"I really believe in Dollars for Scholars; it's a valuable program."

Worthington High School seniors may submit applications for Dollars for Scholars awards between Jan. 15 and March 15. To apply, go to www.worthington.dollarsforscholars.org. Questions about the process may be emailed to dfsworthingtonmn@gmail.com or directed to Lakeyta Swinea in the WHS counseling office. Donations may be sent to: Worthington Dollars for Scholars, P.O. Box 73, Worthington, MN 56187.

Source: Time to apply: Dollars for Scholars chapter urges seniors to try