SPANISH FORT, ALa. — Spanish Fort High School’s Class of 2011 has set the achievement bar exceptionally high, but guidance counselor Angie Dunnam has no doubt they’ll hit their mark.

“Sometimes, scholarships can be the difference between going to college or not going,” said Dunnam, noting the average annual cost for a student attending one of Alabama’s public universities or colleges is roughly $22,000.

“Funding is a critical factor impacting a student’s post-secondary decision and experience. I tell students all the time that the less they have to pay out of pocket for college, the better off they are in the long run,” she said.

That’s why she’s extremely proud of the current graduating class for setting a collective $4.5 million scholarship goal, compared with the $3.5 million collected by the Class of 2010 in academic, athletic, leadership and performing arts awards.

And with 28 scholarship listings on the guidance office’s website, Dunnam said she knows how much work is involved in the application process — especially during such a busy time in these students’ lives — but she still encourages each of them to be disciplined and dedicated to applying for every opportunity for which they’re available.

“Their hard work will pay off in the end with less debt associated with post-secondary education,” she said.

Deadline for filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or all-important FAFSA forms, is March 1, and students should be vigilant of the eligibility and prerequisite requirements on their applications. Some scholarship application guidelines require the FAFSA forms be filed regardless of demonstrated financial need.

The following scholarship opportunities were available to SFHS seniors as of press time to and unless otherwise indicated, applications and eligibility requirements are available in the SFHS guidance office. They are listed in order of application due date:

• Poarch Creek Indians offer a variety of scholarship and tuition assistance programs to American Indians. Visit www.poarchcreekindians.org.
• Spring Hill College Gulf Coast Scholars' Award provides $17,500 per year and requires a minimum 3.5 GPA and a 26 or better on the ACT. Visit www.shc.edu or e-mail admit@shc.edu. There is no deadline.
• March 1: ADK (Beta Upsilon Chapter) offers a $500 scholarship for students interested in a teaching field.
• March 4: SFHS PTA Scholarship awards four $500 scholarships and requires a minimum 2.7 GPA. Visit www.spanishforttoros.org and click on PTA/Forms to download an application, or pick one up in the guidance office.
• March 4: Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year Award provides $7,500. Visit www.bodybymilk.com to apply or pick up information sheet in the guidance office.
• March 4: Young Women Community Leadership Scholarship — pick up info sheet in the guidance office.
• March 4: Alpha Delta Kappa (Chi Chapter) Teaching Scholarship provides $500.
• March 7: Hispanic American Business Association of the Gulf Coast Scholarship provides $1,000.
• March 7: Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship provides $1,500.
• March 11: Electric Cooperative Foundation Inc. Scholarship.
• March 15: Alabama Golf Association Women’s Scholarship Fund; visit www.bamagolf.com/scholarshipinfo.shtml.
• March 16: Lowe’s Scholarship Program, visit www.lowes.com/scholarships.
• March 25: John M. Will and Hearin-Chandler Journalism Scholarships provide as much as $5,000, but interest in pursuing a journalism career is required.
• March 25: Toward Academic Victory Foundation Scholarship provides $2,000 and is need-based.
• March 25: Eastern Shore Federated Women’s Club provides $1,000 and is open to any Baldwin County Career Technical Education student.
• March 31: Janice M. Scott Memorial Scholarship Fund provides $2,500.
• March 31: Troy University Foundation Scholarships.
• March 31: Buick Achievers Scholarship Program is open to students interested in majoring in science, technology engineering, math, business administration, finance, marketing or design. Visit www.BuickAchievers.com.
• March 31: Baldwin County Auburn Club Scholarship provides $1,000 to one student per high school in Baldwin County.
• April 1: Stonewall Jackson Repayable Scholarship.
• April 1: New Horizons Credit Union provides $1,000, but applicants must be a members of the New Wave Savers Club.
• April 1: Jill Hall Memorial Scholarship provides $1,500.
• April 4: Baldwin County Association of Professional Educators is open to any student interested in the field of education.
• April 6: Rockwell Elementary School Scholarship is available only to applicants who attended Rockwell Elementary are eligible. Visit www.rockwellelem.org.
• April 8: Gulf Coast Association of Black Journalists provides $500.
• April 11: Spanish Fort Education Enrichment Foundation Clemons-Imle Scholarship provides $1,000.
• May 1: University of South Alabama School of Computer and Information Sciences Freshman Scholarship.