Awards and Opportunities:

There are many opportunities for debate and social activism to work together. This page has information and links to help you find ways to help yourself, support your debate program, and build your community.

Towson Speech and Debate invites applications from UDL debaters for their scholarship program.  We are actively recruiting and have awards to offer ranging from $1000 to full-tuition.  Towson is located just north of Baltimore and works closely with the Baltimore Urban Debate League.  Our students have many opportunities for community organizing; summer teaching experience; and regional, national and international competition.  For more information on the program at Towson visit: http://wwwnew.towson.edu/speechanddebate/pages/scholarships.html.

Hillary Clinton's New Jobs for New York project is looking for Fall interns. Call 212-822-7558 for information on how to apply or visit the website: www.newjobsfornewyork.org.

"O" The Oprah Magazine is looking to hire interns in the Fashion and Style Departments. Candidates must be highly organized, detail-oriented and be able to juggle multiple tasks at once. Prior internship experience preferred, but not required. This opportunity is available for college students in need of credit hours and recent graduates who are available to start immediately, full-time from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 5 days a week. Send resumes with a cover letter to: Cindy M. del Rosario, Associate Editor O, The Oprah Magazine 1700, Broadway, 38th floor NY, or call 212-903-5149.

Do Something.org
This organization aims to get young people involved in their community. Two programs you may be interested in are the Do Something Brick Award for Community Leadership, which awards of grants to individuals interested in helping their community. Another program is the Sears and Levi's Youth Empowerment Grants which awards $500 grants to help people under the age of 18 to fund community service projects. Visit their web site to get more details about applying for these grants.

NYPIRG's Who Represents Me?
The NY Public Interest Research Group's site can allows visitors to find out who represents them in the NY City Council, the NY State Legislature, and Congress.

ThinkQuest Internet Challenge
Students age 12-19 can work in teams to create web sites and win prize money

Youth Entertainment Summer (YES) To Jobs
This minority internship program, offering on-the-job training for youth, is offering 10 weeks of summer employment to qualified, minority, high school students. The program places students in entry level positions at record, music distribution and publishing companies, television stations, entertainment retail stores, film companies, law firms, trade publications and other related business. The program is open to 16-18 year old minority high school students with a 2.5 GPA, a letter of recommendation and 90% attendance in school.

College Knowledge Day ‘06

Representatives from ABAFAOILSS and other invited colleges will facilitate workshops for New York public school students and their families, providing information and answering questions about all aspects of selective college admissions.  The College Knowledge Day is intended to be a comprehensive overview of all the components of the college admissions and financial aid processes for families of color.  Through workshops and presentations facilitated by representatives from ABAFAOILSS and other invited colleges, students and their parents will take home a clear “roadmap” for success in the college process, regardless of grade or academic preparedness.  The morning will consist of overviews of the college admission and financial aid processes.  After lunch, smaller breakout sessions will focus on grade specific needs, as well as a parent session.  Finally, families will have a chance to “Ask an Admissions Officer” in short one-on-one sessions.

Audience:  High School students and their families
Location: 
Columbia University
Alfred Lerner Hall
2920 Broadway (115th Street)
Time: 9:00am – 4:00pm

RSVP:      tchestnut@seo-ny.org or (212) 532-2454 (Please have students RSVP with their name, school/program and grade)

Scholarships:

HAMPTON UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIP:
*ESPN provides a $10,000 scholarship to students who attend   For more information contact:
renee.antoine@espn.com.


Bank of America 's Student Leader Awards:

Students currently in their junior or senior year of high school can apply
for the Student Leaders program. Applicants must be able to participate in an
eight-week paid internship during the summer of 2006 with a designated local
community organization. Additionally, selected student leaders will participate
in a mentorship program with local Bank of America executives during 2006.

Applicants should share information about their personal goals and most
significant accomplishments. Students should demonstrate a clear
interest in the crucial issues facing communities today and show a desire to help build and
sustain vibrant neighborhoods.

More info is in the "neighborhood excellence"
section of their website:   bankofamerica.com/foundation /index

International House Scholarships &Grants

International House offers a number of grant opportunities during the academic year to assist resident members with housing and living expenses. Funding for these grants is made possible through the generous support of corporations, foundations and individuals for the purpose of maintaining the exceptional geographic, cultural and economic diversity that is central to the mission of the House. Application requirements and deadlines for the grants and programs vary and are described below. With the exception of the WIL Program, recipients are selected by the Admissions Committee of International House.

Outreach Grants
Grants ranging from $500 to $1500 will be awarded to qualified applicants applying to live at I. House for the first time. Awards are based on demonstrated financial need and the applicants' interest in contributing to the I. House community through participation in its programs. Priority is given to applicants from countries, fields of study or backgrounds that are under-represented in the I. House community. Recent examples include, but are not limited to, Africans, American males, Latin Americans, Southeast Asians and fields such as creative arts, music and medicine.
Application deadline for the 2006-07 Outreach Grants: June 13, 2006

For more info, visit:  www.ihouse-nyc.org
 
$5,000 in annual SAJA scholarships for
high school, college and graduate students

Deadline: Saturday, April 1, 2006

Contact: Sudeep Reddy, student committee and scholarships coordinator: sreddy@dallasnews.com

Become a sponsor!
  Each year, the South Asian Journalists Association and SAJA Group Inc award four scholarships worth $5,000 in total:

one $1,000 scholarship to a high school senior about to enter college;

one $1,000 scholarship to a college student;

two $1,500 scholarships each to graduate-level students.


Applicants with financial hardship may be given special consideration. Recipients are expected to give back to SAJA by volunteering at the annual convention or at other events during the year. They also must provide an update of their journalist endeavors and achievements at the conclusion of the academic year.

ELIGIBILITY:
Applicants must be:
a) of South Asian descent (includes Bangladesh , Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka; Indo-Caribbeans are also eligible) OR demonstrate an interest in South Asia or the diaspora

b) serious about pursuing journalism as a career and provide evidence they plan to through courses, internships or freelancing

c) one of the following: a high school senior about to enroll in an accredited college or university; a current student in an accredited college or university in the United States or Canada ; or a student enrolled or about to enter a graduate-level program in the United States or Canada.
Please note: College or graduate students graduating in May/June 2006, and immediate relatives of SAJA Board members and judges are INELIGIBLE to apply.

Other Useful Sites and Information

College partnerships allow students to earn degrees from private universities at lower cost by transferring after graduating from a two-year community college program.
College Boards Online: www.collegeboard.org
College Funds Online: www.collegefunds.net
The Foundation Center: www.fdncenter.org
Find Aid Online: www.findaid.org
Grad School Online: www.gradschool.com
International Research & Exchanges Board: www.irex.org