By tamara October has always been one of my favorite months; the temperature starts to cool, the leaves begin to change color, and my favorite pumpkin treats starting popping up everywhere! It’s also one of the busiest months of the year for charity fundraisers and awareness events. October hosts Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Lupus Awareness Month, National Diabetes Month, and Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Phew! That’s a lot of walks and runs. Of course, most children (and some of us adults too!) are also interested in another celebration this month…Halloween! Everywhere I turn, a Reese’s peanut butter cup or Sugar Daddy is staring me in the face. Good thing I have all those charity events to help burn off the calories. With everything that is going on this month, it’s pretty easy to get sidetracked and neglect some of the other important tasks in our lives…like finding scholarships. So, consider the following list of October scholarships my treat to you! 1. AES Engineering Scholarship Program Don’t let the name fool you. The AES Engineering Scholarship is open to U.S. and international students in any degree field. Applicants must be high school seniors or older, and must submit an essay (1,000 words or less) addressing the topic listed on the provider website. Value: $500. Deadline: October 5, 2012. 2. Mesothelioma Help Scholarship Are you looking for a scholarship program with fewer applicants? Check out the Mesothelioma Help Scholarship. Due to the essay requirement (750-1,500 words) and choices of topic, this program is likely to have limited submissions, which might increase your odds of winning. There are 10 awards available, ranging from $100 to $5,000 in value. Deadline: October 12, 2012. 3. Susan G. Komen College Scholarship Award For nearly 30 years, Susan G. Komen for the Cure has been working to end breast cancer. Each year, the organization not only provides grants to local communities for life-saving treatments and research, but also provides scholarships to students (25 years or younger) who have lost a parent to the disease. Up to seven renewable awards are offered each year. Value: Up to $10,000 annually. Deadline: October 15, 2012. 4. James Alan Cox Scholarship Are you studying photojournalism or dabbling in photography classes? This scholarship is perfect for you! Five scholarships are awarded each year (four for video, one for still photography), each valued at $2,500. Applicants must be college sophomores or older and enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours per semester. Deadline: October 15, 2012. 5. JumpStart Scholarship The JumpStart Scholarship is a merit-based competition that is open to high school sophomores or older (including non-traditional students). An essay (250 words or less) addressing one of the three questions on the application must be submitted for consideration. Awards range in value from $250 to $1,500. Deadline: October 17, 2012. 6. Haiku Scholarship File this one under ‘weird scholarships.’ If you are passionate about cable television, submit a haiku about it and you could win $1,000 for college. Any U.S. high school senior or undergraduate may apply. Deadline: October 31, 2012. 7. ‘I Don’t Want to Pay for College’ Scholarship This is no trick! Cappex is treating one student to a $1,000 college scholarship. The program is open to high school students, college students, or anyone planning to enroll in college within the next 12 months. Simply complete an application for a chance to win! Deadline: October 31, 2012. 8. Get Up Get Active Scholarship The Get Up Get Active Scholarship was created to help get young people off the couch and on their feet. There are a total of two $1,500 college scholarships available. High school, undergraduate, and graduate students may apply by submitting an essay on the importance of getting active. Deadline: October 31, 2012. 9. Youth Free Expression Film Contest ‘You’re reading what?!’ If you are against censorship in the schools, be sure to enter the Youth Free Expression Film Contest. Any applicant, 19 years and younger, may submit a 4-minute video on the topic of book censorship for a chance to win one of three awards, including a $5,000 scholarship to the New York Film Academy. Deadline: October 31. 2012. 10. Education Matters Scholarship What would you say to someone who thinks a college education doesn’t matter? Submit your short essay response for a chance to win a $5,000 scholarship for college. Any U.S. student, 13 years or older, may apply. Deadline: October 31, 2012. Are you looking for more college scholarships? Be sure to check out the new ScholarshipExperts.com scholarship directory. No registration required to view hundreds of available awards!