2012 All-State Community College Academic Team, All-USA Community College Academic Team, Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team, Guistwhite Scholarship and/or Hites Transfer Scholarship.


Last year, Phoenix College submitted the top scoring student in Arizona! Apply by 11.28.11

1. The All-USA Community College Academic Team is presented by USA TODAY and Phi Theta Kappa and sponsored by Follett Higher Education Group. Each spring 20 students are selected to the All-USA Community College Academic Team, each receiving a $2,500 scholarship and medallion. All-USA Community College Academic Team members will be recognized in a special ad in USA TODAY newspaper and will be recognized at the American Association of Community Colleges Convention on April 23, 2012.
2. The Coca-Cola Foundation, along with the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, recognizes the New Century Scholars. The top scoring student in each of the fifty states will be named a New Century Scholar and will receive a $2,000 scholarship. In addition, one student from a chapter in one of the six sovereign nations where Phi Theta Kappa chapters exist will be awarded. New Century Scholars will be presented at the AACC Convention in April 2012.
3. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation sponsors the Coca-Cola Community College Academic Team. Fifty students will be named Gold Scholars, each receiving a $1,500 scholarship, fifty students will be named Silver Scholars, each receiving a $1,250 scholarship, and fifty students will named Bronze Scholars, each receiving a $1,000 scholarship. A state may have multiple Gold, Silver, or Bronze Scholars. All scholars will also receive special medallions and will be recognized in a special ad in USA TODAY newspaper. 
4. All-Arizona Academic Team Members will receive a full two-year scholarship to ASU, UofA, or NAU.

Deadline:Midnight, Monday, November 28, 2011.

Online Application:access at http://my.ptk.org/edge/

Application Instructions (Read First)


All students may log in to the application by going to http://my.ptk.org/edge/. Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) members may log in using their Phi Theta Kappa username and password. If you have forgotten your log-in, follow the steps on the log-in page for “forgot username or password.”  


Non PTK members should follow the instructions to create an account and view the application. 


Once you have logged in, select the link in the center of the page that says “2011 Fall Scholarship Programs”. Follow the instructions and enter the enrollment key MDMyNzUy7058 when instructed.

QuestionTo be considered for the All-USA Community College Academic Team program,you must be nominated by your college. When you are nominated, your student application will be tied directly to your nominator’s home page through an “enrollment key.” 

Before you may access the online scholarship application, you must first complete and “pass” the online eligibility quiz. This series of questions will help determine if you are eligible to apply for this scholarship. Once you have completed the questions, please hit the submit button at the bottom. If you are eligible, you will be allowed to move on to the scholarship application. If the quiz determines you are not eligible to apply, the scholarship application will remain locked and you will not be able to access it.


Students who attend community college in the United States do not need to be a member of Phi Theta Kappa. Students attending community colleges outside of the U.S. need to be members of Phi Theta Kappa and may only apply for the New Century Scholars program. Both students attending in the U.S. and internationally should submit the USA TODAY All-USA Community College Academic Team/Coca-Cola All-State Community College Academic Team nomination form and materials.


Before You Begin Your Application:


Take some time to work on your essay questions (below) outside of the online application.  These are very prestigious scholarships and have more stringent requirements than some scholarships you may have applied for in the past.  Ask an instructor or other mentor to review your essays and don't forget to start now to request your letters of recommendation!


Letter 1: This letter should give a specific example of how you have demonstrated leadership abilities, service involvement, and impact outside the classroom. If you are applying to the All-USA Community College Academic Team (and related scholarships), this letter should specifically address the leadership example you discuss in your Endeavor Essay and you may find it helpful to provide a copy of your completed essay to your recommender. This letter should be from a community college faculty member, administrator, or dean, or from an employer or professional at a non-profit organization where you have volunteered. 


Letter 2: The second letter of recommendation should be from a mentor or supervisor who has directly taught or mentored you while at your community college. It must be from a community college faculty member, administrator or dean and should give specific examples of how you have demonstrated academic progress and excellence, citing specific examples of in class participation or specific examples of your academic experiences with this individual as your mentor. 


ESSAY QUESTIONS

1. Outside Obligations: Organize your answer in an easy-to-read format using bullets, numbers, or charts, rather than paragraph format. If applicable, describe paid positions, with dates and estimated time spent, as well as family or other non-volunteer obligations you have, while attending community college (do not include activities listed in other sections of this application). Required, may not exceed more than 250 words.
2. Awards: Organize your answer in an easy-to-read format using bullets, numbers, or charts, rather than paragraph format. List any awards, scholarships, or special recognitions you have received while enrolled at your community college. List your most significant award first, including the name of the award (do not abbreviate) and the date received. Required, may not exceed more than 250 words. 
3. Community College Attendance: Why did you choose to attend a community college? Required, may not exceed more than 250 words.
4. Biography: Please provide, in your own words, your biography in a short paragraph. Feel free to include any significant life events or experiences to give judges a broader understanding of what motivates you. Required, may not exceed more than 250 words.
5. Campus Involvement: Organize your answer in an easy-to-read format using bullets, numbers, or charts, rather than paragraph format. List no more than three community college organizations in which you have participated. Include dates, leadership positions held, time spent (hours/week), plus specific activities or duties performed and scope or impact of your work. Do not include activities listed in the other sections. Do not include web links or photographs in the text box as these will be removed prior to judging. Required, may not exceed 250 words.
6. Community Activities: Organize your answer in an easy-to-read format using bullets, numbers, or charts, rather than paragraph format. List no more than three community activities in which you have participated since you have been enrolled in community college. Include dates, leadership positions held, time spent (hours/week), plus specific activities or duties performed and scope or impact of your work. Do not include activities listed in other sections. Do not include web links or photographs in the text box as these will be removed prior to judging. Required, may not exceed 250 words.
7. Essay Question - Most Significant Community College Endeavor: Describe your most significant endeavor since attending community college in which you applied your academic or intellectual skills from your community college education to benefit your school, community or society. The endeavor may be in community/service learning, in research, in the arts, journalism, advocacy/public affairs, etc. Judges will consider originality, initiative, degree of difficulty, results and benefit to society. Please limit your answer to ONE specific endeavor. Do not include web links or photographs in the text box as these will be removed prior to judging. Required, May Not Exceed 500 Words.

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Note:  Students must be enrolled part-time or full-time at a four-year college to be considered for the Guistwhite Scholarship and full-time at a four-year college to be considered for the Hites Transfer Scholarship. 


*Guistwhite Scholarship
The purpose of the Guistwhite Scholarship program is to enhance Phi Theta Kappa members’ attainment of baccalaureate degrees. Additionally, this program serves to recognize members’ academic and leadership achievements, particularly as they relate to involvement in Phi Theta Kappa programs. The criteria are designed to find students who excel academically; demonstrate intellectual rigor in their course of study; show academic growth; and use their community college education to better themselves, their schools and their communities. Up to twenty Guistwhite Scholars will each receive a $5,000 scholarship.

1. Discussion Question A) Phi Theta Kappa Activities: Organize your answer in an easy-to-read format using bullets, numbers, or charts, rather than paragraph format. List no more than three Phi Theta Kappa activities in which you have participated, with dates, leadership positions held, time spent (hours/week), specific activities or duties performed, and scope or impact of your work. You may write about activities you discussed in previous sections. Do not include web links or photographs in the text box as these will be removed prior to judging. Judges will consider only the first 250 words.

*The Hites Transfer ScholarshipThe purpose of The Hites Transfer Scholarship program is to support the outstanding academic achievement of Phi Theta Kappa members. Students enrolled in community colleges who demonstrate high academic achievement and desire to transfer to a regionally accredited baccalaureate degree-granting senior institution are eligible to apply. The criteria are designed to find students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, engagement in college and community activities, and leadership accomplishments. Up to ten Hites Scholars will each receive a $7,500 scholarship. The cash awards will be disbursed prior to each academic term. Scholars must be enrolled full-time and will receive four equal payments of $1,875 per semester. This amount will be awarded until the total amount of the scholarship has been disbursed or the student discontinues attendance in a baccalaureate degree program. In addition, certain criteria will be required in order to maintain the scholarship. Scholars will receive commemorative medallions.

1. Discussion Question A) Leadership Example: Describe one specific example of your leadership. Required, may not exceed 250 words.

For assistance please contact:

Eileen Archibald 602-285-7870

Michelle Klinger 602-285-7842