SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION TIPS A Guide to Helping Students Find and - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION TIPS

A Guide to Helping Students Find and Complete Scholarship Applications to win the $$$

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WHERE TO FIND INFORMATION ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS

There are many ONLINE resources to check out:

CAPPEX.com Scholarships.com Fastweb.com Californiacolleges.edu Scholarships America

Most websites have you submit a profile and they e mail you or create list of scholarships that fit your profile.

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TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS

NATIONAL- competing against students from the entire nation. STATE- only in your state with a certain number of winners REGIONAL- your County, your School District, your League COUNTY

• SLO Community Foundation

LOCAL- your HIGH SCHOOL only OFFERRED at your COLLEGE of CHOICE – for STUDENTS only enrolling at a specific university OFFERRED by your employer or your parents

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THINK “OUTSIDE THE BOX” FOR SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

 Check with your parent’s employer to see if

they offer any scholarship programs.

 Check with local non profits and community

foundations, PG & E

 Be sure to check the colleges & universities

you are applying to; they often have a separate application for first time freshmen and returning undergraduates.

 Check with your local high school EARLY!

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APPROACH APPLICATIONS LIKE AN ASSIGNMENT

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

SHOULD BE A PRODUCT OF YOUR BEST WORK.

Spending the time to create a complete

application takes time and attention.

Some simple steps might help set you apart

from others and have you be a winner!

SCHOLARSHIPS are NOT the “Night

Before” kind of project.

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WHAT SCHOLARSHIP PROVIDERS ARE LOOKING FOR:

• Leadership
• Community Service
• Academic Achievement
• Work Experience
• Pursuit of Passions
• T

eenagers who have learned to care for others while achieving good things.

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FIRST STEPS

Before filling out a paper application, make a complete

blank copy of the form (Just in case you make a mistake).

A huge part of applying for scholarships is proving that

you can FOLLOW DIRECTIONS precisely.

If it says, “please print”; do so. If the application asks for

a signature; do that too.

Neatness will count! Make sure your writing is legible. TYPE EVERYTHING IF POSSIBLE Online applications must be completed with details.

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MORE BASIC HINTS:

 Each scholarship fund has its own guidelines. Before applying, be

certain that you meet all the necessary qualifications:

 academic standing  specified financial situation  personal background.

 If you do not meet the basic requirements – Do not spend the

time on this scholarship…move to the next application.

 If you want to be taken seriously, consider getting a generic

EMAIL ADDRESS . Example: s.student@gmail.com. Consider setting up a separate e mail account for college and scholarship information only.

 Use the same legal name on all tests, applications and

transcripts.

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MORE HINTS:

Make a copy of your ENTIRE completed

application and file it. That way, if your submission is lost, you can easily and quickly send another copy.

TAKE SCREEN SHOTS ALONG THE WAY Put your name on all of the materials:

applications, photos, every page of the essay, recommendations, etc. If part of your application is misplaced, they will know it’s you.

PROOF READ!

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PROOF READ! PROOF READ!

TRANSCRIPTS

If the grantor is asking for sealed transcripts,

be sure there is a signature or stamp across the envelope seal.

If they accept unofficial transcripts,

place them as a full page (DO NOT FOLD).

Have or make more copies of transcripts than

you need today—you will need plenty as scholarship season progresses.

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COVER LETTER AND OTHER ADDENDUMS

Do Not include a cover letter if the application forbids it. Include contact information on your cover letter. Show appreciation to group or organization. Thank them!

Provide evidence that you have made something

happen-leadership, initiative, service!

Spell out abbreviations. Keep it brief!

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COVER LETTER CONTENTS

Joe Needmoney 1111 Win One Street Pensacola, Fl 32503 9 September 1999 Mary Smith, President Whatever Scholarship Committee Orlando Central Parkway Orlando, Florida (zip code) Dear Ms. Smith, This letter is an introduction of myself, (your name), and my desire to participate in the (whatever it is called) Scholarship Program. I have applied to (Name of your College) for the 2010 fall term. I would like to thank you and the (whatever) Scholarship Committee for supporting college bound students with an opportunity for financial assistance through your scholarship program. Enclosed you will find my application form, high school transcript, ACT results, letters of recommendation, and other pertinent information. Again, thank you for your interest on my behalf and for the youth of our state. Respectfully, Joe Needmoney (Your Signature)

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RESUMES

 ALWAYS include a resume, unless the grantor

specifically states they do not want any extra papers.

 Your resume should include:  T

est Scores (SAT, ACT, AP) and GPA

 Academic/Career Interests  Hobbies & Special Interests  Volunteer/Paid Work

Experiences

 Leadership roles  List of extracurricular

activities

 Honors & Awards  Travel abroad experience  Special circumstances  Personal References  Characteristics that describe

yourself

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MORE ON RESUMES

As the objective statement to your resume, state: “To be accepted to an accredited 4 year university with

scholarship funding.”

Keep it to one side unless you can fill an entire 2nd pg. Consider scanning a picture of yourself in the corner. NEVER THINK THAT ANY ACCOMPLISHMENT OR ACTIVITY

IS TOO INSIGNIFICANT TO BE MENTIONED. IF YOU’RE PROUD OF IT, PASSIONATE ABOUT IT, OR THINK THERE IS SOMETHING EVEN SLIGHTLY INTERESTING OR UNIQUE ABOUT IT, INCLUDE IT!

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15 1212 Main Street, Anytown, State, Zip Code 999-999-9999 janeedoe@email.com

Jane E. Doe

Objective To be a candidate for college admission to the University of State. Educational Experience 2066-2095 Anytown Senior High School Anytown, State  School voted “One of the Best 25 High Schools in the United States”.  Anytown SHS offers 20 honors and 10 Advanced Placement courses.  G.P.A 3.7 including 5 honors and 3 Advanced Placement courses.  “A” honor roll, Triple A candidate, All Academic Team Extracurricular Activities 2000-2009 Anytown SHS Volleyball Joe Smith, Coach 999-999-9991  Played varsity for three years and junior varsity for one year.  Positioned as an outside hitter.  Voted MVP in school conference. 2008-2009 Anytown SHS Diversity Club Pat Jones, Advisor 999-999-9992  Chapter Secretary for one year.  Co-chair for school-wide diversity week. Volunteer Experiences 2008 Anytown Humane Society (150 hours)  Assisted organization with cleaning, caring, and playing with animals. 2009 Fifth Grade Volleyball Coach (80 hours)  Co-coached fifth graders in the fundamentals of volleyball skills. 2007-2009 Dollars for Scholars Fundraiser (200 hours)  Assisted local organization in fundraising for senior scholarships. Our team raised $14,000 in scholarships for the class of 2005. 2006 Meals on Wheels Volunteer (150 hours)  Delivered meals to the elderly and offered companionship.  Awarded Junior Volunteer honor. Talents and Skills CPR certified, fundraising experience, 65 WPM, polite Spanish and French, and general interest in helping

• thers.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

 LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION are a very important part of

your private university and/or scholarship application. They provide information about you as a person, not just as a student.

 When you ask a teacher or community member to write a letter for

you, show them your appreciation. Ask them in writing. Include in your brief, typed note when you need the letter and how you will retrieve the letter from them, or if they mail it directly. Provide them with background information about yourself (your completed resume).

 Include your completed RESUME with the request note. Make sure

you provide detailed information about yourself on the resume.

 Provide everything they may need including stamped envelopes.

Send your letter writer a thank you, or even a candy bar!

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LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION GUIDELINES

PLEASE provide PLENTY of lead time for this letter (AT LEAST TWO WEEKS!).

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Consider getting extra signed copies addressed to: “To whom it may concern” for your next round of applications.

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Your letter is a great place to talk about things that make you “stand out” among thousands of applicants.

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When you ask a teacher, counselor or community member to write a letter for you, show them your appreciation and professional manner; ask them in WRITING.

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LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

THE MOST IMPORTANT MESSAGE…

The amount of effort that YOU invest in your resume and pre-letter information packet is indicative of your work ethic and your desire to be accepted to the college of your choice and win those scholarships!

ESSAYS

 Be sure to ANSWER the questions  Type your name in the upper right hand corner  Make connections between areas of study, career goals,

interests, and personal philosophies.

 If you start to feel like your bragging about yourself too

much, don’t worry. In a sense, that’s what you are trying to do. You’re hoping to impress the scholarship committee with your accomplishments.

 Don’t just describe what you have accomplished; share how

you felt when performing those achievements and how it affected you. Make connections.

 So What Factor?

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SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION

 DO NOT wait until the last moment.  Present your application flat, not folded, in a manila envelope with your return

address in the upper left corner (tip: make a sheet or two of personalized address labels with your name and address on them)

 Place the application form first, and then attach your supporting

documents with a paperclip.

 Consider taking the application to the post office and paying for proof of

delivery OR… include a postage paid postcard with your address on it. Write

• n the backside: “Please do me a favor by mailing this back to me when you have

received my scholarship application.” Use the same previously made return address label for addressing the postcards.

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INTERVIEW

Dress appropriately- DO NOT BE TOO CASUAL!

No jeans, cleavage, sandals, shorts hems, t- shirts, halter

• r strapless dresses. NO CLEAVAGE!

Consider getting a haircut, and wearing a tie. Know your answers to common questions. Research the group you are interviewing with,

and show your interest in their mission.

Make yourself STAND OUT. Arrive early and don’t forget to familiarize yourself with the

directions to your destination. THANK the interview team.

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FINISHING UP

Send a

THANK YOU NOTE promptly afterwards (you never know how that can benefit you later!)

Keep your file organized and ready for the next step

• r a call back.

Find out what requirements are necessary for the

check ($), when you win, to be sent to you or your school (often this is proof of enrollment).

Do Not get discouraged.

You will have to apply to many scholarships if you want to be successful! The good news is that it will get easier each time.

Good Luck!

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FOLLOW THRU- GETTING THE $$

 KEEP all your FORMAL LETTERS and SCHOLARSHIP

FORMS so you may submit on time.

 Keep TRACK of how your scholarship will be funded.  Be PREPARED to furnish PROOF of ENROLLMENT when

you register and pay for classes at college.

 SUBMIT your CLAIM for SCHOLARSHIPS Promptly!  Resend a thank you once you receive your funds.  Consider writing a mid year note to share with your

sponsoring organization your progress.

 Start RESEARCHING FRESHMEN year for continuing

scholarships

 GOOD LUCK!

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