Scholarships 101

1. Scholarships 101

2. Workshop Goals • To gain a greater understanding of the scholarship process. • To understand when a scholarship is right for you and you are right for it. • To avoid the pitfalls and traps associated with applying for scholarships.

3. What do you need to begin your search for scholarships? • Access to a computer • A little planning • A lot of research • Time to prepare applications

4. What Kind? • Academic • Activity • Skills • Personal Characteristics • Interests • Major • You Never Know

5. Where to Look? • High School – Guidance Counselor • Colleges and Universities • Library or Chamber of Commerce • Internet – Updated Frequently • Clubs – Whether or Not a Member • Religious Organizations • Employer – Yours and Your Parents • Newspaper

6. The Basics • Apply Early and Often – see College websites and scholarship information for deadlines, usually late Fall, early Spring of the year before you are to start school • Apply ONLY if You Meet the Criteria • Complete the Application • Neatness, Spelling and Grammar COUNT!

7. Common Scholarship Components • Scholarship application – online or paper • Personal Essay (s) • Letters of recommendation • Academic transcripts

8. How do I know if I am eligible? • Read the application! - Must you attend a particular school (or type of school) to receive the scholarship? - Is there a GPA requirement? - Is there a class level requirement (freshman, sophomore, etc.)? - Is the scholarship based on your college major/area of academic emphasis?

9. How do I know if I am eligible continued… • More questions to ask yourself… - Must you be a member of a particular organization or working in a particular field to apply? - Is there a need requirement? Is completing the FAFSA a requirement? - Is the scholarship targeted to students with a particular background?

10. Qualities & Expectations of a good scholarship application • Typed & Clean • No spelling errors • Correct use of grammar & punctuation • Sticks to topic & answers the question(s) • Comprehendible/Cohesive • Positive message –Showcases strengths

11. The Scholarship Essay • Various Names (Essay, Personal Statement, etc) • Requirements and question(s) vary • Opportunities to explain: • Personal information • Educational goals • Professional history • Scholarship committees rely heavily on essays • Provides reasons why you should be awarded the scholarship • Measures your ability to communicate, and think clearly and critically • Indications of your ability to judge

12. What is Your Purpose? • Persuade the committee that you are the best candidate for the scholarship • To set you a part from other applicants, test scores, and grade point averages

13. Who is Your Audience? • Ask yourself: • What impression do you want your readers to have of you after reading your essay? • If possible, research the selection committee. Are they • Business executives? • Faculty members? • Service organization members? • Other students? • Adapt your writing to your audience • For example: Don’t write about physics to a reader that has a background in fine art • Always present the information in an easy to understand, reader friendly way.

14. Common Scholarship Essay Topics • Personal and/or Family Background • How did you become the person you are today? Was there an event in your life that made you want to pursue a particular field of study? What is important to you & why? • Academic & Career Goals • Where are you at in life? Where do you want to go in life (in 5 years; in 20 years)? What, in your life, reflects your commitment to your academic & career goals? Describe your degree related employment or internships. • What makes you the best candidate? • List any attributes, qualities, or skills & HOW you developed them. • List major accomplishments, awards, & recognitions. • List your extracurricular activities (including volunteering/community service) & WHY you participated. • List your affiliations –clubs, student government, sports, societies, memberships, etc. (mention transferable skills you’ve gained as a result of participation)

15. Other Possible Essay Topics • Politics • Economy • Environment • Social Issues • Religion

16. Essay Action Plan: Application Question(s) • Read the application question(s) • Re-read the application question(s) • Break down the application question(s) • Example: • Describe your most meaningful achievements and how they demonstrate your leadership ability, your contributions to public service, and your long-and-short-term goals as well as how your education has contributed to who you are today.

17. Essay Action Plan: Prewriting • Utilize various prewriting techniques to help you reflect • Techniques like: • Free writing • Graphic organizer • Listing • Discussion/Interview • Interview someone who knows about you because they may be able to provide you insight into who you are

18. Essay Action Plan: Drafting • Return to the application question(s) • Write a draft in which you answer the question(s) • Ignore: • Length • Spelling • Grammar • Logic • Transitions • Focus on getting onto paper what is in your head

19. Essay Action Plan: Revision • Re-read the application question • Read your draft for • Content • Structure • Consistency (logical progression of ideas) • Make necessary changes

20. Essay Action Plan: Proofreading/Publishing • Submit your revised draft to a teacher, tutor, or friend for review • Double check grammar, spelling, and punctuation • Double check application question(s), length, and anything else required in essay • Save essay in a Word format such as Rich Text Format (RTF) that is easily opened

21. Letters of Recommendation • They are commonly required as part of the scholarship application process. • Like your personal essay, they provide a way for the scholarship committee to get to know about you and your achievements. • They can make the difference in attracting extra attention to your scholarship application.

22. Who Should You Ask? Choose someone who: • Has worked with you closely. • Has worked with you long enough to write from real knowledge. • Is relevant to the scholarship you have chosen. • Has a positive opinion of you and your abilities. • Has an personal style that is warm and supportive.

23. Possible sources for letters of recommendation • Advisors or counselors • Leaders of organizations where you have volunteered • Mentors • Religious leaders • Teachers • School principals and administrators • Employers • Read the scholarship rules for specifics.

24. When Should You Ask? AS SOON AS POSSIBLE • Start early • 2-3 weeks of lead time is best. • 48-72 hours minimum. • Ask politely and formally. • This is a significant favor that you are asking. • Allow time for follow-up.

25. How to Help Get Better Letters Give your letter writer basic information • Your contact information • The deadline for each letter you need • The type of scholarship for which you're applying • Any special forms • Self-addressed stamped envelopes Give your letter writer information you would like emphasized in the letter • Course of study • Career interests • Campus or community activities • Honors and awards received • Personal characteristics

26. The Importance of ‘Thank You’ • More than just good manners • Share results with letter writers whether successful or not • May result in other benefits or referrals later

27. Cost and Benefits of Applying for Scholarships • If you spend ten hours finding and applying for a scholarship and you receive a $500.00 award, you just made $50.00 an hour! • Even if you don’t get awarded a scholarship, you will have refined your research and writing skills. • Once you have completed one application, you can often “recycle” your essays…be sure to adapt them to the individual scholarship for which you are applying • You can save yourself additional time by asking your references if you can use their letters of recommendation for multiple scholarships.

28. Scholarship Search Engines • Alternative way to search for scholarships • Online Scholarship Database • Usually takes 15 minutes to sign up • Your matched with scholarships you qualify for • Free service! • Don’t pay for scholarship applications or scholarship search services