Applications for Klausmeier Senatorial Scholarship Due April 1

Editor's Note: Patch first publicized on Jan. 31.

Last year, the office of state Sen. Kathy Klausmeier, the District 8 Democrat, awarded $54,100 to 111 college students and high school seniors in her district. This year, awards will range from $400 to $600, depending on the number of applicants, Klausmeier's office said in a statement.

When scholarships are presented by a political office, students are to be chosen on an entirely non-political basis. A committee evaluates each applicant based on need, academic standing, community involvement and essay writing.

Full-time undergraduate students of public or private in-state universities may receive the scholarship for up to four years. Exceptions are occasionally made for students pursuing a major outside Maryland that is not offered by any school in the state.

To be eligible for the scholarship, students must file a federal student aid application and submit the scholarship application before April 1.

The office awards scholarships based on the following criteria:

• Academic achievement (First consideration is given to those applicants with a 3.0 GPA/B average or higher.)
• Community/athletic/other extracurricular activity involvement
• Financial need
• Quality of essay
• Other miscellaneous circumstances and information

District 8 includes much of Parkville and Perry Hall.

Find out more about Senatorial Scholarships from the Maryland Higher Education Commission or by calling Klausmeier's office at 410-841-3620.