Students who are heading to school know that many Fortune 500 companies offer scholarships, but often don't know how to find them. The fact is, almost every successful company gives back to its community in order to preserve the company's public image. Many choose to do so through scholarships, because they not only help the community, but also the future of business in general. Without a new generation of well educational workers, the success that these companies have enjoyed will not continue. Students who have high GPAs in high school are often the first in line for these opportunities.
The scholarships offered by the Fortune 500 companies vary tremendously in their requirements. Some only offer scholarships to students with particular financial need. Others will choose minority or women students. Yet others will choose students who have done their part to help the community while still in high school. Because of the variation in eligibility requirements, even those students who normally would not qualify for a scholarship may find one available through these companies.
What companies offer scholarships? More than you might think, so it will be worthwhile to spend some time exploring successful companies in your area. Wal-Mart is one that regularly offers community scholarships. To find out more about their offerings, contact your local Wal-Mart or Sam's Club location.
AT&T is another company that offers scholarships. Their AT&T Labs Fellowship Program awards money to female and minority students who are pursing post-graduate degrees in IT fields. The company feels that men have dominated these fields for a long time, so it wishes to open the door to female and minority students.
ExxonMobile is one of the largest corporations in America, and their scholarship offerings are as varied as their company. They offer scholarships around the world, particularly in the United States and Singapore, where one of the company's corporate headquarters is located. Like the AT&T scholarship, many of the ExxonMobile scholarships focus on minority students who are headed into science, math, and engineering degrees, which are degrees in fields traditionally dominated by Caucasian males.
These are just three of the companies on the Fortune 500 list. Not all companies highly publicize their scholarships, so it may take a little digging to find one you qualify for. Some of the scholarships are small, just a few thousand dollars, but when it comes to paying for college, every little bit helps. If you are nearing the end of high school or are the parent of a child who is headed to college soon, now is the time to start seeking these opportunities and applying for them!
