Monroe NJHS & Student Council Scholarship

Dec 14, 2022 | Scholarships

Apply for the Scholarship Here

Purpose:

To provide one time financial assistance, for one Omaha Public Schools senior, who attended Monroe.

Amount:

$250 payable to an educational institution of recipient’s choice. Verification of enrollment should be sent directly to the Omaha Schools Foundation for payment directly to the educational institution.

Eligible Recipients:

Graduating seniors from an Omaha Public High School who attended Monroe for a minimum of two years and have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.

Selection Criteria:

  1. Attended Monroe for at least two (2) years.
  2. Have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
  3. Student must submit an unofficial transcript.
  4. Be a graduating senior from an OPS high school
  5. Plan to attend a college, university, vocational-technical, nursing, business, or other school of higher learning in the summer or fall term following graduation.
  6. Submit a Short Essay to: “Tell us about yourself. In your response, include important things you would want us to know about you and discuss a meaningful time/experience in your life that has shaped who you are.”
  7. Submit a Short Essay on the topic: “Why I Want To Further My Education.” If you have decided, indicate what your major of study will be.
  8. Student must include a resume listing activities, volunteer and job experiences.

Selection Procedure:

Final recipients will be chosen by the Monroe Committee.

Should you be selected for this award, please send verification of your enrollment at the college or university of your choice and a “Thank You” note directed to the donor to Omaha Public Schools Foundation. The award will be forwarded to the college of choice upon receipt.

Administered By:

The Omaha Public Schools Foundation Toba Cohen Dunning
3861 Farnam St.
Omaha, NE 68131
402.502.3032

Carol Van Metre “Active in Making Lives Better”

Jan 17, 2018 | Scholarships

Apply for This Scholarship Here

Carol Van Metre contributed in a big way: She was involved in fundraising for more than $35 million in sports-related projects, most aimed at giving inner-city kids a stronger foothold on the field and in life. She was a champion of the children and families of the Omaha Public Schools and neighboring communities.

In honor of Carol’s contributions, a Scholarship Fund has been created in her honor. Donations can be made online through the Omaha Schools Foundation secure payment gateway. Please designate “The Carol Van Metre Scholarship” when donating.

Carol Van Metre Scholarship Fund

Purpose:          To provide financial assistance to a student seeking post-secondary education in the memory of Mrs. Carol Van Metre, a strong advocate for quality education and supporter of Omaha South High School.  Carol and her husband Dave have worked tirelessly over the years to level the playing field for OPS students with their suburban counterparts, ensuring the highest quality facilities and enrichment east of 72nd Street. Carol was a beloved teacher in the Denver Public Schools for many years and it was always an important part of her life to support education.

Eligible School:            Omaha South High School

Selection Criteria:

  1. Recipient must demonstrate financial need;
  2. Recipient must have shown good citizenship and participated in extra- curricular activities throughout high school;
  3. Preference will be given to students pursuing a career in Education;
  4. Recipient must intend to pursue a 4-year post-secondary education at an accredited institution; and
  5. Student should present two letters of recommendation from faculty (no relatives of the student will be accepted).

Selection Process:          

Selection will be made by the South High School Principal and the school’s scholarship committee, with input from the counseling department.  Amount will be payable to the college or university upon the Omaha Schools Foundation’s receipt of verification of enrollment from the institution chosen by the recipient. A “Thank You” note to the donor is required and can also be sent to the Foundation.

Amount:          $2,000.00

Administered By: Omaha Public Schools Foundation

Crystal Simpson Memorial Scholarship (Dodge)

Jan 17, 2018 | Scholarships

Apply for the Scholarship Here

Crystal Simpson, principal at Dodge Elementary School in Omaha, cared deeply about children, those who knew her said. “Crystal was extremely passionate about serving students,” said Lisa Utterback, executive director who oversees principals at Omaha Public Schools.

Simpson became the principal at Dodge, near 97th and Maple Streets, in 2012 and had been employed by the district since 2000. She had previously been the assistant principal at Standing Bear Elementary.

Simpson especially enjoyed introducing students to math, science and engineering, K.T. Simpson said.

“She was always positive and full of life,” Utterback said. “Crystal loved rocking her fresh Nike tennis shoes with a sharp suit,” was known to work late nights and helped Dodge Elementary earn recognition as a Gold Award Winning School last year, Utterback said.

The Crystal Simpson Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established in Crystal’s name.

Purpose:

To provide financial assistance to a graduating Omaha Public Schools student in memory of Dodge Elementary School Principal Crystal Simpson who suddenly passed away in 2016. Mrs. Simpson was principal of Dodge Elementary from 2012-2016 and is fondly remember as a passionate and caring educator who loved all of her students. She created a positive climate where all who were around her knew they were valued and respected. Mrs. Simpson was a graduate of Omaha Burke High School and a proud OPS alum. Her legacy lives on!

Eligible Recipients:

All OPS High Schools

Selection Process:

  1. Student must have attended Dodge Elementary for a minimum of three years.
  2. Student must demonstrate leadership qualities, be a self-motivator, and show they have participated in community service activities by submitting a one-page essay on why they are applying for the scholarship and what they plan to study in college.
  3. Student must submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher or school administrator.
  4. Student must show commitment to post-secondary education.
  5. Student must submit a high school transcript.

Amount:

$1,000.00 

Final selection:

Recipient will be chosen by the family of Mrs. Simpson.The award will be forwarded to the recipient’s college of choice upon receipt of proof of enrollment and a “Thank You” note directed to the donor.

Administered by:

Omaha Public Schools Foundation

 

Future Educator’s Scholarship

Jan 18, 2018 | Scholarships

Apply for the Scholarship Here

The Future Educator Scholarship

One graduating senior from each of the seven Omaha Public High Schools will be awarded a scholarship.

Eligibility:

The senior must have plans to enroll for the summer or fall term as a full-time student in a post-secondary institution majoring in elementary or secondary education.

Amount: $3000.00

Requirements:

  1. Answer all information requested on the application and submit it online through the OPSF Scholarship Portal. Incomplete applications will not be accepted (includes signatures and scores).
  2. Request that ACT scores, a transcript of grades, including courses in progress, be attached to your application.
  3. Request that one letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or administrator be forwarded with your application.
  4. Include a 75-100 word essay explaining why you are choosing teaching as a career.

Selection Process:

The scholarship recipients will be selected by the Omaha Public Schools Foundation Board. Verification of your enrollment at the college or university of your choice and a “Thank You” note directed to the donor should be sent to Omaha Public Schools Foundation. The award will be forwarded to the recipient’s college of choice upon receipt.

Administered by:

The Omaha Public Schools Foundation
Toba Cohen Dunning
3861 Farnam St.
Omaha, NE 68131
402.502.3032

Mick Messbarger Memorial Scholarship (Central)

Jan 16, 2018 | Scholarships

Apply for the Scholarship Here

Purpose:

The purpose of this memorial is to provide a scholarship for an OPS graduating senior from Central High School who has participated in the Central Legion Baseball Program. This scholarship is in memory of Mick Messbarger who was a dedicated coach for the Memorial Park Baseball Little League and someone who loved baseball stats, trivia and most of all the game of baseball.  (Particularly the Texas Rangers!)

Amount: $750.00

Selection Criteria:

  1. Student must have participated a minimum of three years in the Central Baseball Program.
  2. Demonstrate Character/Citizenship
  3. Minimum GPA 3.0/Self-motivated
  4. Submit Financial Aid Form
  5. Submit student’s transcript
  6. Submit a short essay (500 words) “How I plan to use my education to benefit society.”
  7. Submit a letter of recommendation from the baseball coach, teacher and/or administrator.

Selection Process:

Students will be nominated by the Central High Scholarship Committee.  Preference will be given to players who participated in the Memorial Park Little League Baseball Program. The recipient will be chosen by sponsors of the scholarship.  *Please note that the donors would like to see financial information as well as a letter of recommendation from the coach, counselor or a teacher.

Should you be selected for this award, please send verification of your enrollment at the college or university of your choice and a “Thank You” note directed to the donor to Omaha Public Schools Foundation. The award will be forwarded to the college of choice upon receipt.

Administered by:

Omaha Puublic Schools Foundation
Toba Cohen-Dunning
3861 Farnam St.
Omaha, NE 68131
Email: 

The Milton “Milt” Lorenz Memorial Scholarship

Aug 23, 2021 | Scholarships

Apply for the Scholarship Here

Purpose:

To provide a scholarship for a graduating Benson High Magnet senior in memory of Milton Lorenz.  Mr. Lorenz was a teacher at Benson for 37 years and passed away on September 16, 2014.  He was a beloved math teacher for many years and at the point of his retirement was serving as the Director of Guidance for the School.  He loved being a teacher at Benson High and took great pride in his profession, the students and the school.

Amount:

$1000.00 payable to an accredited 4-year college or university.   Verification of enrollment should be sent to the Omaha Public Schools Foundation, 3861 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE  68131 for the check to be disbursed to the institution.

Eligible Recipients:

One graduating senior from Benson High School who is pursuing a degree in Math and/or Science

Selection Criteria:

  1. Academic achievement
  2. Citizenship/character
  3. Commitment to post-secondary education in the fields of Math and/or Science with the intention of becoming an educator.
  4. Financial need

Selection Process:

Benson High School will send a recommendation to the Omaha Public Schools Foundation. Should you be selected for this award, please send verification of your enrollment at the college or university of your choice and a “Thank You” note directed to the donor to Omaha Public Schools Foundation. The award will be forwarded to the college of choice upon receipt.

Administered by:

The Omaha Public Schools Foundation
Toba Cohen Dunning
3861 Farnam St.
Omaha, NE 68131
402.502.3032