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Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

SECURING YOUR

COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP!

Economic Power

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Identify how emotions influence your scholarship decisions and financial mindset.

Practice and apply at least two emotional regulation strategies.

Connect your college-funding questions to specific school resources.

Introduction

Today, we will:

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

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SEL Connection

Today, we will learn how all 5 SEL competencies play a role when applying for college scholarships.

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

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Victoria Lamar

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

Feat.

Culture collab

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Know

Want to know

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Scholarship

A college scholarship is free money that helps you pay for college — and you never have to pay it back.

Introduction

definition

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

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Who is Victoria Lamar?

GET moving!

Culture Collab

Earned $3 million+ in scholarships before graduating

Applied to 100+ scholarships and learned from every rejection

Founded Securing Degrees to help students win college money

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

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Culture Collab

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

WATCH A VIDEO

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Scholarship Riddle Challenge

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

Icebreaker

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Activity

Icebreaker

1) Form groups of 3-4

2) I’ll read riddles — you’ll have 20–30 seconds to solve each one.

Every riddle teaches a skill Victoria used on her scholarship journey.

Scholarship Riddle Challenge

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

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Riddle #1

I grow with every attempt.

I get stronger even if you fail.

The more you collect me, the more money you tend to earn.

What am I?

Activity

Icebreaker

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

The Multiplier

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Riddle #1

Experience / Patience

Activity

Icebreaker

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

Why it matters: Every application helps you improve.

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Riddle #2

You can’t see me on a resume.

You can’t find me on a website.

But when things get hard, I keep you going.

What am I?

Activity

Icebreaker

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

The Invisible Power

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Riddle #2

Confidence

Activity

Icebreaker

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

Why it matters: Confidence kept Victoria applying even when the odds felt low.

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Riddle #3

I save time.

I stay organized.

And I make sure you never miss a deadline.

What am I?

Activity

Icebreaker

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

The Golden List

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Riddle #3

A scholarship tracker

Activity

Icebreaker

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

Why it matters: Organization helped Victoria stay focused and on time.

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Riddle #4

I don’t feel good when I show up…

but I can help you grow. I am the opposite of

Yes and also known as no.

You’ll meet me in scholarships, school, and life.

Who am I?

Activity

Icebreaker

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

The Uncomfortable Friend

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Riddle #4

Rejection

Activity

Icebreaker

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

Why it matters: Victoria had many ‘no’s before her million-dollar ‘yes’es.

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Scholarship Riddle Challenge

Icebreaker

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

What if any emotions pop up for you as you are thinking about applying for college?

What are some of the reasons you could be eligible for a scholarship?

talk about it

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STORY-POWERED SCHOLARSHIP MINDSET

part one

lesson

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Scholarship Mindset

WATCH A VIDEO

Watch Victoria Lamar’s interview with Greenhouse Scholars.

ICEBREAKER

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Scholarship Emotion Stations

Activity

Lesson: Part One

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

We will explore how emotions influence your scholarship decisions — and which SEL skills help you stay on track.

For each scenario, move to the EMO Station in the room that best describes how you would feel.

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Scholarship Emotion Stations

Activity

Lesson: Part One

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

You open a scholarship application and realize it requires a personal essay. You don’t feel your writing is strong, and wonder if your story is ‘good enough’ to compete.

Scenario #1

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Scholarship Emotion Stations

Lesson: Part One

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

Which emotion did you choose?

What thoughts show up for you based on this scenario?

What skills could you use to manage this situation better?

Who could you reach out to for assistance?

Discussion Questions

talk about it

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Scholarship Emotion Stations

Activity

Lesson: Part One

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

You find a scholarship for showing leadership worth $10,000 with an upcoming deadline. You are active in several clubs, but unsure what your leadership skills are.

Scenario #2

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Scholarship Emotion Stations

Lesson: Part One

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

Which emotion did you choose?

What thoughts show up for you based on this scenario?

What skills could you use to manage this situation better?

Who could you reach out to for assistance?

Discussion Questions

talk about it

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Scholarship Emotion Stations

Activity

Lesson: Part One

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

You’re juggling school, activities, and family responsibilities…and you have 7 scholarship applications saved but don’t know where to start.

Scenario #3

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Scholarship Emotion Stations

Lesson: Part One

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

Which emotion did you choose?

What thoughts show up for you based on this scenario?

What skills could you use to manage this situation better?

Who could you reach out to for assistance?

Discussion Questions

talk about it

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Scholarship Emotion Stations

Activity

Lesson: Part One

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

You just received feedback from a teacher on your scholarship essay. She recommended that you revise your essay to highlight your leadership skills.

Scenario #4

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Scholarship Emotion Stations

Lesson: Part One

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

Which emotion did you choose?

What thoughts show up for you based on this scenario?

What skills could you use to manage this situation better?

Who could you reach out to for assistance?

Discussion Questions

talk about it

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BREATHE AND REFRAME

part two

lesson

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

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Box Breathing

Use this anytime you feel stressed about scholarships or decisions.

Inhale 4 sec — arms up

Hold 4 sec — arms stay up

Exhale 4 sec — arms down

Hold 4 sec — arms relaxed

Activity

Lesson: Part Two

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

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1) Independently read the challenges and reframe them into positive statements.

2) Turn to a partner and share your reframed statement.

3) Share your reframed statement with the class.

Writing

lesson: Part Two

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

“I didn’t win the scholarship I wanted.”

“This application looks too long.”

“I feel behind compared to other students.”

“I don’t know where to start.”

Directions

Challenges

Reframe That!

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Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

“There are more opportunities.”

“This helped me practice for the next one.”

I didn’t win the scholarship I wanted.

talk about it

lesson: Part Two

Reframe That!

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Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

“I can break it into smaller steps.”

“Doing a little each day makes it manageable.”

This application looks too long.

talk about it

lesson: Part Two

Reframe That!

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Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

“Everyone’s timeline is different.”

“One small step today is still progress.”

I feel behind compared to other students.

talk about it

lesson: Part Two

Reframe That!

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Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

“I can ask someone for guidance.”

“Starting with the easiest step builds momentum.”

I don’t know where to start.

talk about it

lesson: Part Two

Reframe That!

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Reframe That!

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

There’s no perfect reframe —

Trying is what builds resilience.

Reminder

talk about it

lesson: Part Two

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QUICK TIPS

part three

lesson

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Learned

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Complete the KWL chart by sharing what you’ve learned about scholarships today.

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Scholarship Tips

Set up quick check-ins about deadlines or applications. Ask teachers and counselors about their college experience.

SEL Link: Self-Management — planning and staying organized.

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

Ask for help early.

talk about it

lesson: Part Three

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Scholarship Tips

Tell teachers/counselors what majors or careers you’re interested in. They can tell you about colleges that focus on those careers.

SEL Link: Self-Awareness — knowing your strengths and direction.

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

Share your goals.

talk about it

lesson: Part Three

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Scholarship Tips

Check in about next steps or missing pieces.

SEL Link: Relationship Skills — clear communication and self-advocacy.

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

Follow up respectfully.

talk about it

lesson: Part Three

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Scholarship Tips

Complete your exit ticket to share which scholarship tip you will use and how.

Writing

Securing Your College Scholarship! | Economic Power

lesson: Part Three