Can't apply for any scholarships? :(

[confused]

Hi, just some background first: 4 yrs on FRC team, vp 11th grade, co-prez 12th grade, business subgroup (won chairman's 2 yrs in a row-woohoo!)

- Are any of you having the same problem where you are not able to apply for any FIRST scholarships? I'm a little bummed because I'm not doing a STEM major which means there are 59 scholarships that I can apply for (supposedly), but then when I go through the list I see none of the colleges I am applying for (yipee), and only ONE scholarship is for all courses at study at any school BUT only certain parts of So. Cal. can apply.

Plus, this is the first year where Dean's List nominees can't be seniors...

I get that some of you may say that I don't deserve a scholarship bc I'm not doing STEM and others may just see this as useless nagging... but am I the only person who feels a little irked about this? After putting so much time and effort into my team and helping us win national/international recognition for certain things I don't even have the OPPORTUNITY to apply.

(Esp. since it is really hard for "business" members to explain their role w/ FIRST when applying for college/scholarships... idk this is just bothering me.)

Let us discuss ways around this (please)? Any advice?

[Akash Rastogi]

Originally Posted by confused

I get that some of you may say that I don't deserve a scholarship bc I'm not doing STEM and others may just see this as useless nagging.

If anyone tells you this, ignore it.

Plenty of FIRSTers don't go into STEM (I'm Econ and Pre-Law at Syracuse University), and the lack of scholarships is a problem. However, there's nothing stopping you from finding those scholarships elsewhere. But, yes, it is annoying to see a lack of scholarships for more majors.

Just as an FYI - Libby Kamen is non-STEM as well, and I'm sure she'll chime in at some point.

Feel free to send me a PM if you need help about pitching FRC roles in your college essays and anything else. I'd be happy to help you find scholarships as well.

[Wetzel]

Originally Posted by confused

- Are any of you having the same problem where you are not able to apply for any FIRST scholarships? I'm a little bummed because I'm not doing a STEM major which means there are 59 scholarships that I can apply for (supposedly), but then when I go through the list I see none of the colleges I am applying for (yipee), and only ONE scholarship is for all courses at study at any school BUT only certain parts of So. Cal. can apply.

Emphasis added. Those 59 scholarships may not be where you are applying now, but they are available to you. They are an opportunity to consider a school you likely didn't. They many not fit with what you want right now, but they certainly are an opportunity for you to look at.

[EricH]

Make sure you look into SCRRF scholarships. I think you're in the right area to do so.

[confused]

Originally Posted by EricH

Make sure you look into SCRRF scholarships. I think you're in the right area to do so.

Thanks for the suggestion! I looked it up (this right? http://larobotics.org/Scholarships.html) but it says it is for students entering STEM in the blurb at the top (not in the eligibility requirements though which is odd).

[Billfred]

Something else you may want to consider: Apply anyway, especially if funds aren't being managed by a particular department within the university. With so many FIRST scholarships going unused, they might just say yes anyway!

Sincerely,

A guy with a marketing degree