Scholarships:

Finding FREE Money for College!

Understanding “The Basics”

What is a scholarship?

• A scholarship is an offering of FREE MONEY to a student based on the student’s skills or qualifications.

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Where do scholarships come from?

• The college/university
• Community Organizations/Businesses
• Private sponsors/donors

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What types of scholarships are out there?

• Institutional (from college/university)
• High School Specific
• Clubs & Associations
• Military
• Credit Unions/Banks
• Career/College Major Specific
• Culturally Specific
• Employers
• Community Organizations

Where can I find scholarships?

• Your high school
• Financial Aid Office
• Free websites:
• Fastweb
• Sallie Mae
• Finaid
• College Board
• Hispanic Scholarship Fund

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Scholarship Databases

• Databases make locating/applying for scholarships easier.
• Create account/student profile with as much information about you as possible.
• Database matches you with list of scholarships that may apply to you!
• Read each scholarship carefully and apply for the ones you feel you may be eligible for.

How do I apply?

Get Organized! Things you may need to apply could include:

• Official/Unofficial Transcripts
• SAT/ACT Scores
• Letters of Recommendation
• Resume
• Written Essay

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All scholarships are different and will have varying requirements. Pay close attention to the scholarship application instructions.

Top 10 Things Scholarship Committees consider:

• An application submitted ON TIME!
• General qualification, criteria and completeness
• Community volunteer involvement
• Leadership Experience
• Extracurricular Activities
• The Essay
• References/Letters of Recommendation
• Grade Point Average (GPA)
• SAT/ACT Scores
• Applicant’s personal situation

Scholarship Tips

• Always be honest about your grades, test scores, experiences, memberships, qualifications, etc.
• Follow instructions CAREFULLY, an include all required components.
• Respect deadlines and apply early if possible.
• Proofread and always have at least one other person read your application/essays.
• Strive to set yourself apart. Be creative!
• Follow up to ensure your application was received.
• Send thank you notes!

Scholarship Scams

Avoid any scholarships/scholarship websites using the following ploys:

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• “There is a small fee to apply for this scholarship.”
• “Scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”
• “You can’t get this information anywhere else.”
• “Credit card or bank account number needed to hold this scholarship.”
• “You’ve been selected to receive a scholarship.”
• “First come, first served.”

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Final Thoughts

• Applying for scholarships can be time consuming, but can be well-worth your time.
• Remember to pace yourself. Set a goal for how many scholarships you wish to apply for!
• You can’t win if you don’t apply!

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