Imagine receiving a full four-year scholarship to Vaughn College, paid summer internships and a guaranteed job after graduation in a “futureproof” career. Sound too good to be true? It’s not. In fact, if you’re an incoming freshman who lives in Queens County, NY with a dream of pursuing a career in engineering, technology, management or aviation, your dream may be closer than you think.
For the second year, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey is partnering with Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology to offer a unique scholarship opportunity to five incoming freshmen for the 2020-2021 academic school year. This amazing opportunity is part of the ongoing redevelopment of LaGuardia Airport and the city’s commitment to reinvesting in the communities that play host to the airport.
Do you have what it takes to apply? Read on to learn more about the scholarship program benefits, if you qualify and how to apply.
Scholarship Program: What You’ll Receive
The scholarship covers the complete annual tuition for up to four consecutive years of full-time study and is renewable each year for up to four years, providing the student maintains a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher and full-time student status.
Scholarship recipients will receive:
A “futureproof” tuition-free education (full, four-year scholarship starting in the fall 2020 semester).
aid internships at the Port Authority airports during the summers while enrolled at Vaughn.
Full-time employment with the Port Authority upon graduation for those who qualify.
How to Qualify
Five finalists will be selected for a full-tuition scholarship based on the following criteria:
Students must reside in Queens County, NY.
Preference will be given to residents of the following zip codes: 11369 (East Elmhurst), 11370 (East Elmhurst, Astoria), and 11105 (Astoria)
Secondary preference will be given to residents of the following zip codes: 11368 (Corona, Willets Point), 11102 (Astoria) and 11103 (Astoria)
Additional criteria:
Minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least an 80
Minimum cumulative score of 1,000 on the SAT or 22 on the ACT
Applicant must submit academic accomplishments, intellectual and creative distinctions, extracurricular activities, letters of reference and original essays.
Applicants must have completed and submitted an Application for Admission to Vaughn College prior to submission of a scholarship application.
As part of the Port Authority Partners and Vaughn College Scholarship Program application, applicants must also submit two letters of recommendation, an essay and completed application form with official high school transcript and SAT or ACT scores.
Don’t miss this opportunity for a “futureproof” tuition-free education at Vaughn College. Don’t forget the deadline of March 1, 2020. For additional questions, please contact: Mr. Celso Alvarez, Associate VP of Enrollment via email at or by calling 718-429-6600, extension 117.
The excitement continued last December as the Vaughn College robotics team participated in the VEX Robotics Competition Tower Takeover in Cancun, Mexico, winning the Build Award for the first time in the team’s history and placing second overall in the competition.
Team players
As one of the top competitors of the renowned VEX U Robotics World Championship, Vaughn’s seven-member team was invited to participate in Mexico’s VEX U Reeduca Robotics Competition for the fifth year as part of the 2019 Torneo Internacional de Robótica VEX Reeduca.
Game on
The VEX Robotics Competition Tower Takeover was the name of the game—and a challenging one it was at that. This game was played on a 12′ x 12′ square field. Two alliances―composed of two teams each―competed in matches consisting of a forty-five-second (0:45) “Autonomous Period,” followed by a one-minute and forty-five-second (1:15) “Driver-Controlled Period.” The object of the game was to place cubes in towers or to score cubes in goals. The team to score the highest number of points is declared the winner.
How it played out
In the first qualifying competition, Vaughn competed against four Mexican teams and won all four matches. During the next qualifier, Vaughn won six out of seven matches, which advanced the team to second place in the playoff round. In a nail-biting quarterfinal match, Vaughn finished second, losing to Universidad Tecnologica de Matamoros, 7-6.
Winning the Build Award
For the first time in Vaughn’s VEX Robotics Competition history, the team won the coveted Build Award. To receive this outstanding recognition, a team must construct a robot that can demonstrate effective use of materials and efficiently use mechanical and electrical components. The robot must be high-quality, robust, demonstrate reliability on the field and be able to hold up under competition conditions. “Our team did an outstanding job,” said Dr. Hossein Rahemi, chair of the engineering and technology department at Vaughn. “I’m extremely proud of them. Winning the Build Award is a great achievement.”
Regaining their World Championship title
Vaughn’s robotics team is gearing up for regional competitions over the next few months to vie for a qualifying position in the VEX World Robotics Competition in April for a chance to regain their World Championship title. Having held the World Championship title in 2016 and competed in the playoff round of the World Championship since 2014—the 2020 Vaughn robotics team is hard at work to show the world that they’re ready to win it all again.
“Our team has what it takes to win the title back again this year,” Rahemi said. “We even have some seniors on the team that have been with us from the start. It would be wonderful to see them, and our other great team members named ‘world champions’ once again.”
Winter break may have given your brain a much-needed rest. But now it’s time to start a new semester. So, how do you get yourself back into the academic groove? First, let’s embrace the fact that it’s a new year and a new decade, which presents us with an opportunity to start off the semester with a clean slate.
This month, Vaughn College has outlined some great ways to jump-start the semester with helpful tips that can keep you inspired and motivated―now and throughout the academic year.
Read the syllabus
Think of your syllabus as a roadmap to the semester. Reading it and understanding the workload and assignment deadlines is one of the best ways to navigate through the class with confidence and help put you at ease.
Set a schedule and stick to it
We’ve all been known to procrastinate―some of us more than others. Now is a great time to make a resolution to set a schedule and stick to it. Planning not only allows you to see what needs to get done and when, but it helps you to develop good study habits along the way. Here are some ways setting a schedule can help keep you on track to:
Complete assignments on time
Manage your study routine to prepare for exams and presentations
Remain motivated and promote a positive attitude
Allow for some “me” time to avoid burnout
Create and maintain good sleep habits
Get enough sleep and wake up early
Burning the midnight oil can burn you out while a rested body and a rested brain is a no-brainer for success. This year try resetting your internal clock from break habits and stick to a strict sleep schedule that includes waking up early. Here are some benefits of being an early bird―and no, it’s not about catching the worm:
Gives you time in the morning to review before class
Avoids having to rush to class by arriving at campus early
Allows time to meet with friends for coffee or a quick chat to catch up
Provides time for a visit to the gym for a quick cardio workout before class
Rejuvenates your body and spirit to prepare for the day
Make a motivational playlist
Music has a way of easing the mind and putting us in the right mindset for any occasion. Take some time this month to sift through your favorite tunes and create a playlist to keep you inspired and motivated. Don’t be afraid to go out of your comfort zone either. Check out our blog―Studying to Music Can Put Your Brain in the Right Frame of Mind―for more inspiration!
Identify study buddies
Before you say that you like to study alone, you may want to try switching up your study routine for a change. Having study partners can be a great way to sort through difficult courses and reduce the stress of figuring it all out on your own. Another great benefit is you can make new friends along the way who share similar interests and have like-minded concerns. If you’ve never had study partners, this may be the year to give it a try.
Create a vision board
“Vision boards”―also known as “mood boards” or “storyboards”―are a great way to display your goals while keeping you motivated to live your dreams. Take some time over school break to lay out your plans for the semester. You can start with a cork board, and then add pictures or sayings that represent your goals and dreams. Display it over your desk or somewhere where you will see it every day.
Stay motivated
One reason to remain motivated about attending classes and working towards earning your degree is your dream job is at the end of it, right? Well, Vaughn is so confident that it prepares its graduates to be employed in their field of study within one year of graduation, that it offers the Vaughn Guarantee. And if you aren’t? Vaughn College will provide reimbursement for one year’s worth of federal direct undergraduate student loan payments. Now that’s great motivation to keep your eye on the prize! Speak with a Vaughn admissions counselor to learn about your eligibility today.
Go shopping
You might be “shopped out” after the holidays, but this time it’s for you! Treat yourself to a cool notebook, notepad or even a new outfit. Even the smallest thing can make a big impact on your mood, confidence and overall outlook.
The VEX Robotics Competition Tower Takeover was the name of the game—and a challenging one it was at that. This game was played on a 12′ x 12′ square field. Two alliances―composed of two teams each―competed in matches consisting of a forty-five-second (0:45) “Autonomous Period,” followed by a one-minute and forty-five-second (1:15) “Driver-Controlled Period.” The object of the game was to place cubes in towers or to score cubes in goals. The team to score the highest number of points is declared the winner.