*College specific scholarships: are awarded by the college you are applying to and will be awarded based on academics, SAT/ACT scores, talents, etc. To find out what scholarships colleges have available, call the financial aid office of your school of choice or go to their website and click on "financial aid" or "scholarships."
Outside scholarships: are given to students for a wide variety of qualifications. Each outside scholarship has its own deadlines, its own qualifications, its own award amount. These are the most elusive and must be researched.
I have a listing of scholarships and their applications in the College & Career Center. Make sure you come to the College & Career Center to see what is new. The scholarship list is posted in the center and in the office on the bulletin board outside of Mr. Sovel’s office and also on this website. There are also scholarship books you may check out from the College & Career Center.
Scholarship Tips
Explore your options: Talk to the Career Center Coordinator, look into local scholarships and use a trusted internet service, like the ones listed below.
Start Early: To avoid missing deadlines, start your scholarship search early. It takes time to research, request information, and complete your applications, so don't procrastinate. In addition, make sure to search continuously throughout the school year.
Be Active: Scholarship committees look favorably on those who participate in extracurricular activities and are active in their communities.
Give concrete examples: If your answer to an essay question is abstract, support it with a concrete example that illustrates your point. Show evidence that you satisfy their criteria, not just unsupported statements.
Apply only if you are eligible: Read all the scholarship requirements and directions carefully, make sure that you are eligible before you send in your application. Your application will not be considered if you are not qualified to apply.
Identify the sponsor’s goals: Try to understand the sponsors’ motivation in offering the award. Do they want to promote interest in their field? Do they want to identify promising future researchers and business leaders? If you can identify their goals, you can direct your application toward satisfying those goals, increasing your chances of winning.
Complete the application in full and follow ALL directions: Many students fail to follow directions. You can give yourself a competitive advantage by reading the directions carefully. Provide everything that is required, but do not supply things that are not requested. You won’t impress and you might be disqualified. Be sure to complete the entire application. If a question doesn’t apply, note that on the application. Don’t just leave it blank.
Neatness counts: Make several photocopies of all forms you receive. Use the copies as working drafts as you develop your application packet. If you apply on-line, download your final document for back-up. Typing is always preferred but if you MUST print do so neatly and legibly. PROOFREAD the entire application carefully (have a trusted teacher or counselor do this when possible). Nothing is less impressive than an application with misspelled works or grammar errors.
Write an accomplishments resume: Compile a list of all your accomplishments. This will help you indentify your strengths and prepare a better application. Give a copy of your resume to the people who are writing letters of recommendation for you. This will enable them to make it seem that they know you better. Letter writers need at least 5 working days to produce a good letter. Don’t forget to make copies.
Watch all deadlines: Impose a deadline for yourself that is at least 2 weeks before the stated deadline. Use this “buffer time” to proofread your application before you send if off. YOU are responsible for making sure all parts of the application arrive on time. This includes supporting materials such as letters of recommendation and transcripts. So make sure everyone who is contributing to your application has ample head-time. If worse comes to worst call the scholarship provider, in advance, to receive an extension. But don’t rely on extensions – very few providers allow them at all. If you use “snail mail”, get a receipt from the Post Office,
Take steps to make sure your application gets where it needs to go: Copy your finished application and retain for our file, in case the one you send in goes astray. Make sure your name appears on every page of the application, so they can be identified if your application becomes separated.
Ask for help if you need it: If you have problems with the application do not hesitate to call the sponsor or come the College & Career Center for help.
YOUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION REPRESENTS YOU!: Your ability to submit a neat, timely, complete application reflects on you. Take pride in yourself by submitting the best application you can.
Avoid Scams: All
internet search sites are not created equal, and students need to make
sure they are working with trusted resources. The following statements
are signs a scholarship is a scam, according to the Federal Trade
Commission.
"The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back"
"You can't get this information anywhere else"
"I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this
scholarship"
"We'll do all the work"
"The scholarship will cost some money."
"You've been selected by a 'national foundation' for a scholarship"
"You’re a finalist" in a contest you never entered.
The following links will help you research for scholarships. Remember
it is not enough to find the scholarship... you have to make sure you
qualify, you must fill out the applications and you must meet the
deadlines.
www.collegeboard.com
www.fastweb.com
www.collegenet.com
www.fastap.org
www.collegeanswer.com
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