1 of 10

Scholarships:

Finding FREE Money for College!

2 of 10

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.

Where do scholarships come from?

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

3 of 10

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

4 of 10

Where can I find scholarships?

  • Your high school
  • Financial Aid Office
  • Free websites:

5 of 10

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.

6 of 10

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

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

7 of 10

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

8 of 10

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!

9 of 10

Scholarship Scams

Avoid any scholarships/scholarship websites using the following ploys:

    • “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.”

10 of 10

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!