Paying for college can be daunting, but there are thousands of dollars available just for Rockdale students. Here's a guide to just a few scholarships from local civic clubs, organizations, businesses, institutions and families.

Aubrae Gunderson Memorial Scholarship
$1,250 each for one male and one female student at Heritage High; $1000 each for one student (male or female) at RCHS and Salem. Nominations solicited in January 2015; students interviewed and write essay in March; scholarship awarded in May. Student athletes must be nominated by a coach or band director based on subjective leadership and team qualities, letter in two Varsity sports or one sport and marching band, and maintain a minimum of a 3.0 GPA. These were the standards of the fund's namesake; HHS student Aubrae Gunderson was struck and killed by a car September 26, 2005 while training with the Heritage Cross Country Team. Funded by a 5K walk/run held the Saturday after Thanksgiving. For more information, go to aubraegunderson.com or contact Dan Gunderson at dgunderson@bellsouth.net.

Chi Tau Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Awarded to one student from each Rockdale County and Newton County high schools recognizing outstanding high schools seniors that have been accepted to an accredited four-year college or university. Scholarship also awarded in honor of the chapter's first president, the late Melanie Raiford Griggs. The awards are given to students that have high scholastic achievement, proven leadership, and have actively participated in community service. For more information, go to www.chitauomega.com and click on service/scholarships or email scholarship@chitauomega.com

Collins Family Scholarship
$1,500 each to four qualifying seniors/graduates of Rockdale County Public Schools who are of Hispanic/Latino descent, with first preference given to first generation college students. Applications will be available January 2015 at www.rockdale.k12.ga.us . Application deadline is Spring 2015. For more information, contact cball@rockdale.k12.ga.us or your RCPS high school counselor.

Constitutional Officers' Association of Georgia scholarship
Three scholarships given: $1,500, $1,000 and $500 awarded in May 2015 to undergraduate students as well as graduating high school seniors. Application deadline April 2015. The student must be a Georgia resident and attend a Georgia school. For more information, go to www.coag.info or call 404-377-1364.

Diego Rincon Memorial Scholarship
$5,000 to one senior from a Rockdale County high school headed to college/technical school; from the Rehorn Family Foundation; named in honor of Diego Rincon, a 2000 Salem High graduate who was killed in military service in Iraq. Application and essay on "What Freedom Means to Me" due Spring 2015; scholarship awarded in May. For more information, go to www.rehorngroup.com

Georgia United Credit Union Vernon E. Carne Scholarship
$3,000 first place, $2,000 second place, $1,000 third place. Top eight Runners-Up: $500 each. Applicants (or their parents) must be a member of Georgia United Credit Union (formerly Georgia Federal Credit Union); must be a high school student classified as a senior with a projected graduation date of 2015; entering a college/university or technical school by fall of 2015. For more information, go to www.georgiaunitedcu.org or call Georgia United's Community Development Department at 770-476-6409.

Georgia Farm Bureau
Total $14,250 in scholarships to 10 high school seniors who plan to pursue a college degree in agriculture, family and consumer sciences or a related field. The top three students will each receive a scholarship of $3,000. The remaining seven students will each receive a $750 scholarship. Students are eligible to submit an application if they, a parent or a legal guardian are a member of Georgia Farm Bureau. Applicants must plan to enter a unit of the University System of Georgia or Berry College during the 2015-2016 academic year to pursue an undergraduate degree in agricultural and environmental sciences, family and consumer sciences or a related agricultural field. For more information or to obtain an application, or go to www.gfb.org then select "GFB Programs" and then "FB Women" or call 770-922-3566.

Georgia Perimeter College Foundation Scholarships
For Application deadline for spring semester is March 1, summer semester is July 1, fall semester is Oct. 1; For the full list of scholarships at GPC and more information, go to http://depts.gpc.edu/Foundation/scholarships.htm

Georgia Piedmont Technical College Foundation Scholarships
For GPTC students pre-registered or currently enrolled; up to two scholarships a year can be awarded to a student; for more information and more scholarships at GPTC, go to www.gptc.edu/content.cfm?PageCode=foundation_scholarships

Gordon State College Foundation Scholarships
Ranging from $400 to $3000 a year for students to Gordon State College; application deadline March 1, 2015. For more information and more GSC scholarships, go to www.gordonstate.edu/fndscholarships

Imagine America High School Scholarship
$1,000 to high school seniors and recent graduates attending or planning to attend a technical college; must have minimum 2.5 GPA, volunteer in community service, and demonstrate financial need; application deadline Dec. 31, 2014. For more information, www.imagine-america.org/scholarships-education

Jonathan David Childs Memorial Scholarship
$500 awarded to a senor Salem High football athlete who has been accepted to college and meets the following criteria: Exhibits a passion for football as a player and displays good sportsmanship, minimum 2.5 GPA, displays humility, honesty and integrity, service oriented, demonstrates financial need. Awarded at Salem High's Awards Program; in honor of Coach Jonathan D. Childs who coached and mentored football athletes at Salem High School, Holy Spirit Preparatory School and played football for Georgia State University's first football team; he was 27 at the time of his passing; Coach Childs possessed a tremendous knowledge of football and the ability to transfer some of that knowledge to his players, and instilled positive character traits and good sportsmanship in his players. For more information, go to www.celestialenterprisesunlimitedinc.com/jonathan_david_childs_sports_foundation or www.facebook.com/JDCSportsFoundation, or contact 912-220-6835 or jdcspf@gmail.com.

Kate Caruso Light the Way Memorial Scholarship
For a drama student at Heritage in memory of Kate Caruso, a Heritage graduate and Young American Christian School teacher and drama enthusiast who passed away from cancer. For more information, contact Michelle Thorne, mthorne@rockdale.k12.ga.us

Newton-Rockdale Optimist Club
$2,500 first place, $1,500 second place, $1,000 third place scholarship awarded. Contestants must not have yet graduated from high school yet or its equivalent and be up to 18 years old as of Dec. 31. The 700-800 word essay is due in January 2015. The winner of the local contest will go on to compete in the Georgia district contest for a $2,500 scholarship prize. For more information, go to www.optimist.org or contact NewtonRockdaleOptimist@gmail.com.

Rockdale Coalition for Children and Families John K. Morgan Scholarship
$4,000 to the top winner and $500 to the runner-up finalists. For a student living in Rockdale who has demonstrated outstanding community service in Rockdale County and plans to continue that level of commitment while pursuing post-secondary education. Application includes narrative describing the community service, two letters of recommendation, high school transcript; due January 31, 2015. Winners announced March 21, 2015. For more information, go to www.rockdalecoalition.org or contact Michael Hutcheson at 770-761-9244 or michael.hutcheson@rockdalecoalition.org.

Rockdale Medical Center Auxiliary
$1,000 scholarship from the Elizabeth Wilmot Bull Memorial Scholarship Fund, awarded by the Council on Auxiliaries/Volunteers of the Georgia Hospital Association. For more information, contact the RMC Auxiliary at 770-918-3007.

Rockdale NAACP
$1,000 to one senior at each of the three RCPS high schools; funds raised through the annual Freedom Fund banquet in March; scholarships awarded in June. For more information, contact C. Lyn Gibson at clgibson@bellsouth.net or Allene Eatman at 770-715-4836 or emafdet@aol.com

Rockdale Retired Educators Association Henry Gibbs scholarship
Variable amount; for a graduate of a RCPS high school who has completed at least one year of college, and is majoring in education. Applications are available in February 2015 from RREA scholarship committee. Applications must be received by March 31. Nominees must provide a transcript of their college grades and demonstrate a definite financial need. Nominations may be made by Rockdale County residents and must be endorsed by a high school counselor. Students may apply for, and be awarded, the scholarship for three years by submitting a new application each year. Scholarship funds will be deposited in the students' accounts at the college they attend. For more information, contact Kathy Voshall at 770-922-4796 or at 2309 Rolling Acres Drive, Conyers.

Snapping Shoals EMCJ.E. Robinson Memorial Scholarships
$2,000 each awarded to 14 high school seniors living in homes or attending schools served by Snapping Shoals. Application requires essay, test scores, transcript, three recommendations. Deadline is Feb 2015. For more information, www.ssemc.com , 770-385-2888

Snapping Shoals EMC All-Around Student Scholarships
$2,000 each awarded to six high school seniors whose homes or high schools are served by SSEMC. These scholarships recognize those students who go above and beyond in their extracurricular activities while still maintaining high academic standards. Application requires essay, test scores, transcript, three recommendations. Deadline is February 2015. For more information, www.ssemc.com , 770-385-2888

Snapping Shoals EMC Washington Youth Tour Scholarships
$500 scholarship and all-expenses paid trip to Washington D.C. to three sophomores or juniors whose homes or high schools are served by SSEMC. Application requires essay, test scores, transcript two recommendations. Deadline is February 2015. For more information, www.ssemc.com , 770-385-2888

Superintendent's Scholarship
$1,000 to one senior at each of the three RCPS high schools; sponsored by the Foundation for Excellence in Education and The Grace and James McGarity Scholarship Fund. To apply, a student must: be a 2015 graduate in a Rockdale County public school, have been admitted to a college or technical school for the 2013-14 school year, not have received over $2500 in scholarships from other sources, and complete an application, including the essay portion. Three judges read and score the essays. The applicant with the highest cumulative score from each school was chosen to receive this scholarship. Applications will be available January 2015 at www.rockdale.k12.ga.us . Application deadline is spring 2015 and scholarships are awarded at graduation practice. For more information, contact cball@rockdale.k12.ga.us or your high school counselor.

VFW Patriot's Pen and Voice of Democracy contest
The VFW Post 5290 Voice of Democracy speech contest for high schoolers and Patriot's Pen essay contest for middle schoolers gives students a shot at monetary prizes on the state and national level; a $30,000 scholarship goes to the national VOD winner. VOD competitors must write and record a three to five minute essay on the theme, "Why I'm Optimistic About Our Country's Future" on an audio cassette tape or audio CD. PP competitors must write a 300-400 word essay on "What Patriotism Means to Me." Both due Nov. 1, 2014. For applications and for more information, go to www.vfw.org or contact Peter Elizabeth Wolfe at 770-278-8040 or peter.wolfe@rockdalecounty.org.

Willie Henderson Sr. Memorial Scholarship
$1,000 each awarded to one senior from each of Rockdale's three main high schools, chosen by school counselors, who demonstrates academic and character excellence and community promise; awarded in June at the annual fundraising musical at Macedonia Baptist Church in honor of the late community leader Willie Henderson Sr., first president of the JP Carr School PTA who helped guide school integration in Rockdale. For more information, email williehendersonsr.scholarship@yahoo.com

GOAL Scholarships
Tuition scholarships for private school K-12 students; must be a Georgia resident who is currently enrolled in school and has attended a Georgia secondary or primary public school for a least six weeks (some exceptions) immediately prior to receiving a scholarship or tuition grant, or who is eligible to enroll in a qualified Pre-K4, Kindergarten, or first grade program; guidelines are total household income must not exceed $94,623; the maximum amount awarded is equal to 85 percent of the private school's lowest published tuition rate for the recipient's grade or $8,983, whichever is less; Eastminster School, Peachtree Academy and George Walton School are among participating schools. For application and more information, go to www.goalscholarship.org/for_parents

Access to Cosmetology Education (ACE) Scholarship Program
$1,000 scholarships to 15 students nation-wide; sponsored by Sport Clips Haircuts and American Crew Partner School Program, given to deserving students enrolled in American Association of Cosmetology Schools-member schools. For application or more information, go to www.screports.com/scholarship/ or email scacscholarshipform@gmail.com. More cosmetology scholarships at beautyschools.org/careers-in-beauty/grants_scholarships/

4Sarah Scholarships
Scholarships given quarterly to girls or women seeking to leave the adult entertainment industry; covers cost of GED classes, higher education tuition and expenses, or certification training. For application or more information, go to www.4Sarah.net or contact 4Sarahscholarships@gmail.com or 404-991-0831.

VFW's "Sport Clips Help A Hero" Scholarship
Up to $5,000; for veterans; one per family per semester; deadline to apply for the 2015 spring semester is November 15, 2014; awarded by January 2015. Scholarship is for tuition and fees only and will be paid directly to accredited schools; must be used by the end of semester. Applicants eligible if: a U.S. citizen; retired, honorably discharged, active duty, or a member of the National Guard or Reserve; Have completed Basic Training and follow-on training; Separated with or currently hold a military rank of E-5 or below; Demonstrate a need for financial assistance; Participate in, be accepted to or currently enrolled in a VA-approved program or school at an accredited post-secondary institution. For application or more information, go to www.vfw.org/scholarship