SCHOLARSHIPS
Active members of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society are well-positioned for serious scholarship consideration. Some of the many scholarships available include:
Beta Mu Alpha Chapter Scholarships
The chapter awards at least one $500.00 scholarship to our most outstanding members annually. These awards are presented at the OCC Honors Night in May.
The chapter also recognizes members for their service to the chapter, campus, and community with smaller awards based on time and effort contributed to ensuring the chapter's success with annual events, projects, and activities.
OCC Scholarships for Continuing and Transferring Students
OCC awarded over $133,000.00 -- more than 30% of the total scholarships --
to 76 PTK members in 2009, with a median award of $1,000.00
and an average award of $1750.00
WERE YOU AMONG THOSE TO RECEIVE AWARDS?
Congratulations!
The annual scholarship application will become available on or about December 1st. To access the application, go to the Scholarship Office website at:
www.orangecoastcollege.edu/student_services/scholarship_office/
One application, a two-page personal statement, and two letters of recommendation are just about all that are necessary to apply. Start working on your personal statement now, and ask your professors and counselors for letters of recommendation before the holidays so that they'll have plenty of time to write them before the application is due in early 2010.
All-USA Academic Team Awards
Congratulations Bahareh Abadian and Duc Phan
2009 OCC Nominees
Each year, the USA Today newspaper sponsors the All-USA Community College Academic Team Awards. Community colleges with PTK chapters are eligible to nominate up to two students for these prestigious awards annually. Applications received from across the nation are ranked based on a combination of GPA, community/campus/chapter service, and on the strength of responses to specific prompts provided in the application.
The top-ranking applicants are named to three national academic "teams"
and will be invited to the American Association of Communtiy Colleges'
annual national convention April 17 - 20, 2010 in Seattle, Washington
to be recognized with scholarships.
The next highest-ranking 150 applicants are named national finalists,
and also receive scholarships.
***
All of the applicants from each state are further ranked into three statewide academic "teams" and receive scholarships. The top-ranking applicant from each state is named a "New Century Scholar" and earns an additional scholarship. Historically, all California nominees are recognized in Sacramento during the spring at an annual luncheon where they receive their scholarships, a tour of the capitol, and may have opportunities to meet their legislative representatives and senators.*
To be considered for nomination for this scholarship and recognition, applicants will have been actively involved in PTK chapter activities over the past year, perhaps -- but not necessarily -- in a leadership role. In addition, the strongest candidates will have engaged in other significant campus/community service projects, events, or activities; earned a high GPA; and will have responded thoughtfully to each of the pre-application prompts provided. Prompts are sent out via email (usually in early October) with at least two weeks' time for submission. Chapter pre-screening results in the final selection of two nominees by chapter advisor(s) and the Dean of Students.
*Due to the California budget crisis, we do not yet have information about whether the annual recognition luncheon will be held. Nominees will be notified well in advance of the date for this event if/when it is scheduled.
Beta Mu Alpha Hall of Fame
Each year, Beta Mu Alpha members compete nationally and locally for scholarships and other recognition. Among our past winners are:
Congratulations Marisol Swadener and Dallas Wilson, 2009 PTK/All-California Academic 1st Team Members and National Finalists!
Marisol Swadener and Dallas Wilson (3rd and 1st from right, top row).
Marisol Swadener:
All-California Academic First Team 2009; All- USA Academic Team - National Finalist
Transferred to UCLA Fall 2009
M. Dallas Wilson:
All-California Academic First Team 2009; All-USA Academic Team - National Finalist
Transferred to UC Davis Fall 2009
Amanda Bloom:
Coca-Cola Scholar 2008
Transfer planned for Fall 2009
Bahareh Abadian:
Leaders of Promise 2008
Transfer planned for Fall 2010
Visar Jahiu:
All-California Academic First Team 2008
Transferred to Harvey Mudd College Fall 2008
Morvarid Tavassoli:
All-California Academic First Team 2008; Coca-Cola Scholar
Transferred to Stanford University, Fall 2009
Terri Samuels:
All-California Academic Second Team 2007
Transferred to UCLA, Fall 2007
Jonathan Brown:
All-USA Academic Second Team 2007; All-California Academic First Team 2007;
California New Century Scholar 2007
Transferred to UC Berkeley 2007