Application deadline for special scholarships



The Shawn Carter Scholarship Foundation offers scholarship opportunities to any under served students across the United States who want to pursue a college education.

The SCSF provides individual grants ranging from $1500 to $2500 to students who qualify. Students can reapply every year from first date of admission to graduation. The grant can be used to cover tuition expenses, books, lab fees, travel and some living costs. In return, all Shawn Carter Scholars are required to “give back” by doing community service and by being mentors to younger, aspiring Shawn Carter Scholars.

To qualify, applicants must be high school seniors, college students, or pursuing studies at a vocational or trade school. They must be U.S. Citizens between the ages of 18-25 and have a minimum GPA of 2.5.

The SCSF is unique because it offers scholarships to applicants with hardship circumstances, who would normally not be eligible, but dream of going to college or learning a trade. Among some of the previously accepted candidates: single mothers, children who attend alternative schools, students who have earned a GED, and students who have been previously incarcerated.

Interested students must complete an on-line application no later than the deadline date of May 15, 2012. Click here to apply.

Compton student wins $40,000 for college from the free throw line



Students, teachers, band members and cheerleaders packed the Compton High School gymnasium this afternoon. But this was no ordinary pep rally.

Out of the 80 Compton High School seniors with a 3.0 or better GPA, eight were selected to compete in a free throw-shooting contest for a chance to win $40,000 in college scholarships.

Screenwriter Court Crandall (“Old School”) set up the contest as a part of a documentary called “Free Throw” about the lives of Compton students. The winner of the free throw shoot-out would win $40,000 for college and the other participants would receive $1,000 scholarships.

When Allan Guei sunk the winning basket in the final round of the contest, his classmates surrounded him, jumping up and down and enveloping him in a giant hug.

But the excitement didn’t end there. After Guei was presented his check, Jesse Jones, the principal of Compton High School, announced that the other seven seniors would receive one-year scholarships to state universities.

The crowd erupted into cheers and the students continued to hug each other, wide-eyed and overcome with emotion.

“This is my 30th year as principal,” Jones said. “Nothing like this has ever happened. I’ve had some gifts and blessings, but not where they involved the entire student body…whether they won or not, they were here, they cheered, and it gave them inspiration that ‘next time, I can do this.’”

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