Scholarship America is a nonprofit organization that has helped over 1.7 million students pay for college since 1958. It operates programs like Dollars for Scholars that provide scholarships selected by local committees. The organization aims to make higher education accessible to all students regardless of their financial situation. It has distributed over $2.4 billion in scholarships and supports students in nearly 4,000 communities across the country.

1. Scholarships America By Mayra Barajas

2. About this Foundation… Scholarship America mobilizes support for students getting into and graduating from college. The movement began in 1958 with the first Dollars for Scholars chapters. We became a national organization in 1961 and since then, we've helped more than 1.7 million students follow their dream of getting to college. We have two other programs that have helped this foundation have great success. Dollars of Scholars Scholarships Management Services

4. Values and Mission Scholarship America has been developed to mobilize America, through scholarships and educational support making postsecondary education possible for all students. We know that students are the future leaders of our nation and world. We overcome financial barriers in order to make their dreams of earning a college degree possible.

5. Inputs

6. Input (continued) Student fundraisers help ensure community support for their future education. Fundraiser from Fall River community to Dollars for Scholars

7. Input WALK FOR EDUCATION Education Goes Further than 5K The Walk for Education was initiative to promote educational access in communities across California. Now in its 8th year, the Walk has made a significant impact in the number of scholarships awarded to all youth.

8. Outputs Since our founding, Scholarship America has distributed more than $2.4 billion to 1.7 million students across the country through various programs including Dollars for Scholars and Scholarship Management Services. We are serving students in nearly 4,000 communities across the country

9. Output (continued) We have also created the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fundto provide education assistance for postsecondary study to financially needy dependents of those killed or permanently disabled as a result of the September 11, 2001 attacks. Scholarship America will administer the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund to eligible families through the year 2030. We have helped as many as 1,400 students as of now since the tragedy.

10. Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund With the help of our foundation and the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund we have made it possible for Shawn to follow the footsteps of Dad of being and engineer who past away in the Sep 11, 2001 tragedy.

11. Outcomes

12. Why is it a community need? Every person deserves a dream or hope to have a better life. Education has become more valuable, imperative, but also expensive. “We the people can make a difference.”

13. Community need (continued) For example, college tuition has become a barrier for many students because they can’t reach those high fees that are increasing drastically. The fees keep increasing year by year and more students each year are not attending postsecondary education because of their financial needs. A lot of full-time undergraduate college students attend a four-year college that has published charges of $9,000 per year for tuition and fees. Private four-year colleges that cost $35,000 or more yearly in tuition and fees. At two-year colleges, the average cost for tuition and fees is $2,713.

14. Community Need (continued) Post secondary education is important because Statistics show that…. Workers 18 and over sporting bachelors degrees earn an average of $51,206 a year, while those with a high school diploma earn $27,915. Our Foundation can help all those students that have the financial need get to college and earn a degree.

15. Community Need (continued) Years back the costs for college tuition were not as high and the resources covered more than what they cover now. Federal Pell Grants In 1970, Federal Pell Grants covered 84 percent of tuition. Today, a student receiving a Pell Grant still needs to pay for 65 percent of their own tuition -- plus books and fees. Not only that, but because the economy is going through many phases, changes have been made and have unfortunately not been helpful. Student Loan DebtLoan debt is mushrooming. The average four-year college graduate leaves school with $25,000 in loan debt. Cuts to State EducationAt least 39 states have curtailed public university funding.

16. Goals Our goal is to help everyone in the need of making a better life for themselves by getting an education and have something to be proud of in the future. We can make it possible for ALL those that have financial need and can’t attend college.

17. Goal (continued) Her name is Linda, she comes from a community that going to college is not what many people choose. With the help of our foundation we have made her dream of going to college come true and we have accomplished our goal to help as many students as we can. She is now attending UCLA and hopes to open a medical practice to help those in need.

18. How Critical Thinking articulated? We have develop a different method that helps students receive scholarships. For example ,the online scholarships are now open to students in general public. Some may apply to some students and some may not, but there is a lot to evaluate so there is no reason to give up. Buick Achievers Scholarship ProgramEdison International Public Scholarship Program Kohl's Cares National Society of Accountants Scholarship Program These are just a few scholarships available as of now in our website http://scholarshipamerica.org/open_scholarships.phphttp://scholarshipamerica.org/open_scholarships.php

19. How does this foundation apply to Critical Reading? In our Scholarship America Blog website - http://scholarshipamerica.org/sa_blog/index.php?catid=6&blogid=1 We have articles that can be helpful to read carefully and relate to because they can provide tips, secrets, and advice on how to make the best choices in college, those are available for everyone at our website. For example, a couple that are mentioned on there are How Students Can Survive the Recession 40 Money Management Tips Every College Student Should Know

20. How does it apply to Critical Action? Through our programs, services and substantive alliances, students will receive support from their communities to achieve their educational goals. For instance, our programs Dollars Scholars & Scholarship Management Services will provide support but motivation as well.

21. Just Think and Scholarships America We both want to help those low income families. Mission (Just Think) One Economy’s mission is to ensure that every person, regardless of income and location, can maximize the power of technology to improve the quality of his or her life and enter the economic mainstream. Mission ( Scholarships America) Our Mission is also to help those in need of a better life and future. We want to help those in need to make postsecondary education possible for all students.

22. Just Think and Scholarships America We both care about the importance of education . Education ( Just Think) Young people are gaining new knowledge that helps them in school, prepares them for employment, and instills the pride of knowing they had made a difference in their communities. Education (Scholarships America) We know the important of education especially during this economy that has caused many low income students to give up without even trying and searching for resources that can be helpful for them. We both can expand together and have more low income students attend college and have internet access across the globe.

23. Just Think and Scholarships America We both don’t give up and always make sure we do the right thing. Just Think Investing 2 million dollars in corporation is a huge risk, but the importance to help gave comfort and security. Scholarships America The founder Dr. Fradkin,he decided to run for school board on the platform of higher education for young people and then lost, That didn’t stop him, he wasn’t going to stop working to help young people go to college.

24. Just Thing and Scholarships America Most importantly having a computer is necessary for school especially in college. Not only could we help get these student’s get into college, but we can provide a computer so they can have everything to be a successful student. The way that The Just Think Foundation is expanding across the globe is outstanding because together we can expand even more and help everyone in need.

25. My personal connection I know how difficult it is to earn money and I have experienced it. One day,I noticed that my life was not going no where at the minimum wage job where I was at, but I didn’t have money for college so I had no other choice. I felt that my life was over, but fortunately I was able to apply and get accepted for financial aid. I can relate and feel what all those students that have that barrier and can’t attend college because of the their financial obstacles that deny them to succeed. Our foundation was made for all those students and we make it possible to attend college.

26. How to get involved Donate Your Unused Electronics Donate your old iPod or cell phone to My Place of Donation, and benefit Scholarship America. Donate by CheckMail your check, payable to:Scholarship AmericaAdvancement1550 American Blvd. E., Suite 155Minneapolis, MN 55425 Donate Your Time volunteer-driven scholarship foundations in cities, towns and neighborhoods throughout the United StatesPledge to Scholarship America Pledges of any amount can be made to Scholarship America and you can make your contribution in easy installments. The Advancement team will send out a pledge reminder to you monthly, quarterly, or yearly, whichever you prefer. We have more ways for you to help this foundation visit us at our website http://scholarshipamerica.org/donate_options.php