Applications for Klausmeier Senatorial Scholarship Due April 1

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

Your chances of winning a senatorial scholarship are better than you may have thought, especially if you attend Perry Hall High School.

However, your chances are zero unless you apply by Friday, April 1.

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.

In 2010, of about 16 public and private high schools and 20 colleges, seniors at Perry Hall High School received the most scholarships, 20. An office spokesman said Perry Hall High School students traditionally send the most applications.

While 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.