Scholarship & Transfer
“Any transition serious enough to alter your definition of self will require not just small adjustments in your way of living and thinking but a full-on metamorphosis.” -- Martha Beck
O Magazine, Growing Wings, January 2004
FCC Foundation Scholarships
The FCC Foundation offers a variety of scholarships each year. Applications (STARS) are available by October 1 and due by December 1. Contact the FCC Financial Aid Office for more information.Ambassador Scholarship
The Ambassador Scholarship is designated for high-performing students. Qualifications: Each year 30 Frederick County high school seniors are awarded the FCC Ambassador Scholarship for maintaining a 3.5 grade average through grades 9-12. It is awarded only to students who choose to attend Frederick Community College the fall term following their graduation from high school. Ambassador Scholars will be asked to participate in the Ambassador Program while at FCC.
The Ambassador Program provides the student an opportunity to participate for a minimum of ten hours per semester. Examples of opportunities may include providing campus tours, performing college outreach functions, assisting at college activities, etc.
Awards: Full-time students will receive $350 for the fall semester, renewable for up to three additional semesters at variable amounts, depending on maintenance of at least a 3.0 grade point average and participation in the Ambassador Program.
Applications are available through the link below, in the Recruitment and Outreach Office (A103-C), and at local high schools. Ambassador Scholarships are awarded based upon date of receipt of application and high school transcript to FCC.
Ambassador Scholarship Application
Local & State Scholarships
Community Foundation of Frederick County
This local organization awards a large number of scholarships each year. Visit their web site at www.cffredco.org to view their list of scholarships and application process.
Maryland State Scholarships and Grants
Each year, the State of Maryland awards nearly $110 million in need-based grants and merit scholarships to more than 57,500 Maryland residents through its 19 programs. Maryland's scholarship and grant programs are available to eligible students who plan to attend any public or private Maryland college, university or career school. Money can be used by both part-time and full-time students.
To apply for most state scholarships and grants, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Some scholarships do require additional applications. MARYLAND STATE APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE at www.mhec.state.md.us.
PLEASE NOTE: To be considered for some of these programs, you must submit your FAFSA by March 1st for the coming year.
Awards & Recognitions
Annually, FCC Honors students compete for prestigious awards and recognitions. Most of them include a stipend or scholarship. Here are a few that you might want to consider:
Portz Award for Two-Year Colleges
Given annually by the Maryland Collegiate Honors Council (MCHC) in the name of John and Edythe Portz, this award recognizes the Outstanding Honors Student in Maryland’s two-year colleges.
Three criteria are used to evaluate the submissions: 1) grade point average (overall and in honors courses); 2) initiative and leadership in the honors program, the institution or the community; and 3) academic excellence as illustrated in a project done for honors credit.
The Portz nomination packages from the colleges are due each January. The winner is announced at the annual MCHC conference in March. The award carries a stipend of $500.
Contact the honors coordinator if you are interesting in being nominated for this award.
All-USA Academic Team
Coca Cola All-State Community College Academic Team
Beginning in 2009, Phi Theta Kappa will administer both of these community college academic team recognition programs. According to the Phi Theta Kappa Web site, 20 students will be selected to the All-USA Community College Academic Team in 2009-2010. Each student “will receive a $2,500 stipend, obelisk, and medallion. These students will be featured in an April issue of the USA TODAY newspaper and presented at Phi Theta Kappa's Presidents Breakfast held during the Annual Convention of the American Association of Community Colleges Convention (AACC).”
The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation has established the Coca-Cola All-State Community College Academic Team program, “providing up to $450,000 in stipends. The top scoring student from each of the fifty states will be named a New Century Scholar and will receive a $2,000 stipend. New Century Scholars will be presented at the AACC Convention. Fifty students will be named Gold Scholars, receiving $1,500, fifty students will be named Silver Scholars, receiving $1,250, and fifty students will be named Bronze Scholars, receiving $1,000. A state may have multiple Gold, Silver, or Bronze Scholars. All scholars will also receive special medallions and will be listed in an April issue of the USA TODAY newspaper. Finally, an additional 150 national finalists will be selected from multiple states, each receiving a $1,000 stipend. Phi Theta Kappa sponsors 38 All-State Academic Team ceremonies, during which stipends, scholarships, and special recognitions are presented to All-State Team winners.”
These programs share common application and eligibility criteria. If you are interested in being nominated by FCC, contact any of the Phi Theta Kappa co-advisors: Dr. Ken Kerr, Dr. Bruce Thompson, or Ms. Jeanni Winston-Muir.
Phi Theta Kappa Leaders of Promise Scholarships
Members of Phi Theta can apply for the Leaders of Promise Scholarship to assist with completing their associate degree studies. Students need to meet certain academic and leadership criteria in their first thirty hours of study to be eligible. Thirty (30) scholarships of $1,000 are awarded annually.
In interested, contact any of the Phi Theta Kappa co-advisors: Dr. Ken Kerr, Dr. Bruce Thompson, or Ms. Jeanni Winston-Muir.
Transfer Scholarships
There are transfer scholarships available for academically talented students. Some are offered through private endowments, others through the state of Maryland, and others by the four-year colleges themselves.
Start with the FCC Transfer Website. You will find general information and links to many scholarships open to honors-caliber students. Some of this same information is also found in the FCC Transfer Guide, available in the Career & Transfer Center.
Check to see if the schools you are interested in attending offer Phi Theta Kappa Transfer Scholarships. Phi Theta Kappa members can also apply for the Guistwhite Scholarships; twenty students receive $5,000 for baccalaureate degree studies.
Other transfer scholarships available to Honors students are:
- Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship
Distinguished Scholar Community College Transfer Program
- Hood College – Honors Program Scholarship (pending)
- Morgan State University – Community College Transfer Honors Scholarship
- Towson University – Honors College Transfer Scholarship
- UMBC – Honors College Award
University System of Maryland Regents Program
- UMBC – Merit Scholarships for Incoming Transfer Students
- UMBC – Sherman STEM Teacher Education Scholarship
- UMCP – Transfer Academic Excellence Scholarship (TAES)
- UMCP – Presidents Transfer Scholarship
- UMUC – Community College Transfer Scholarship
If you do not see your prospective school listed, check with that school. There are many scholarships out there waiting to be found.
Transfer Process
FCC Honors has a track record of success with transfer. Frankly, our students are in demand at four-year schools. A partial list of recent transfer colleges and universities includes:
- American University
- College of William & Mary
- Cornell University
- Hood College
- Rice University
- Towson University
- University of Baltimore
- University of Maryland Baltimore County
- University of Maryland College Park
- University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
- Wake Forest University
We have the following articulation agreements in place with more coming. Each agreement offers incentives to students taking honors classes at FCC. Click to get the details:
- FCC Nursing Program
- Towson University Honors College
- Hood College Honors Program
- UMBC Honors College (in progress)
So how can you ensure a smooth transfer? It’s as easy as 1-2-3.
Step 1 – Establish a Strong College Record
Take advantage of all the opportunities that FCC Honors offers. Be an active learner, graduate from the Honors College, serve as an officer in a student organization, complete the leadership and service certificate, do an honors independent study project, present at a student conference, etc. Create an honors student portfolio to record all of your achievements and growth as a scholar.
As a note, if you plan to transfer to a public four-year college or university in Maryland, completing your AA or AS degree simplifies transfer. All general education courses taken at FCC will be accepted as general education coursework by the four-year college, and you enter as a junior. Getting into a specific program, however, is not guaranteed.
Step 2 – Shop Around
Check out at least 10 colleges, both in-state and out-of-state. Don’t be afraid to request information about scholarships and programs of study. Visit as many schools as you can. Sometimes you simply get a good vibe or don’t.
Apply early to four to seven colleges; aim a little high with a couple of them. Be sure to apply for scholarships as well.
Step 3 – Pick a Winner
This is your decision. Nobody can make it for you. The college must fit your needs. Does the school have the major you want? Is it a comfortable fit with you? How’s the money? Can you make the housing, transportation and other logistics work? Can this school help you reach your goals?
There are many resources available to assist you in the transfer process. Visit the Transfer Center website for more information on college search, transferring credits and transfer scholarships. You can also view the transfer calendar for dates and times of events such as the Transfer Day Fair, workshops and field trips.
Meet with your advisor regularly as you plan your courses at FCC, and if you need more transfer assistance, call 301-846-2594 or visit the Career & Transfer Center to schedule an appointment with Marsha Mason-Sowell, FCC’s Transfer Services Counselor. Plan your future, which will be here quicker than you think!
Honors Student Portfolio
The goal of a portfolio is to showcase your skills and experiences as well as streamline the scholarship/transfer process. We are currently constructing an electronic honors student portfolio system. In the meantime you can craft your own portfolio. A suggested list of contents would be:
You
Contact Information
Long-range goals
Scholarship
Honors classes – attach syllabi and papers written
Honors Independent Study project
Conferences attended/presented – attach presentations
Leadership
Positions held
Projects led
Training/certification
Reflection
Service
Activities (college, community, global)
Projects organized or roles
Training/certification
Reflection
Other Skills/Activities
Military service
Employment (location, responsibilities, & hours/week)
Hobbies
Challenges you have met
Faculty Recommendations
Name of faculty
Contact information
Relationship to student