LA Offering Scholarship Package Virtually

Livingston Academy is offering its local scholarship package virtually this school year.

The online package has attachments and links for about 30 scholarships. Gear Up Coordinator Vanessa Farris said in the past, the school used paper only, but the pandemic showed the need for online access.

“I usually assemble all of the seniors in an auditorium and hand out,” Farris said. “I think the package ends up being 40-50 pages once it is printed up, and I would hand it to every single senior, but this year going into it, we didn’t know where we would be by February when we give the packet out. By December, I felt like we’re sure going to have to present in a variety of ways, so we started looking at ways to do a virtual package.”

With most only requiring a local scholarship essay, Farris said the best advice she can give is to simply follow directions.

“We got several local clubs and organizations and we have businesses and they each have their own committee,” Farris said. “But one thing they have all told me over the years is it is so hard to pick their winners. They really struggle with it. So, the first thing they do is look who followed directions. Just to be fair, if a student doesn’t follow directions, they are set aside and not even read, because some of these scholarships will have 50-60 entries.”

Farris said hard copies are also available. Students have until February 26th at 3:00 p.m. to submit completed applications to the front office, Farris said.

“Students and parents, it is like anything in life. You can’t win if you don’t enter,” Farris said. “So, I encourage every Livingston Academy student to take advantage of this opportunity that so many people in our community provide and apply. We never know who will win cause so many committees are picking.”

The online package begins with downloadable directions and the required formatting. On the website, students can download any application they are interested in. The link is as follows: https://www.smore.com/z2fwn-la-local-scholarships-2021?fbclid=IwAR0I6GLfBnxkMXUxdR6QHO2l73uDj9A-gKrXGsjDYFZIIYKlKy6pfDHdGpc.

Gear Up’s mission is to increase college readiness for TCAT’ schools, community college, military service and four year universities.