Scholarship Information

SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH WEBSITE:

www.scholarships360.org/ (Scholarship360)
scholarshipjunkies.org/for-students/ (Scholarship Junkies: help with essays)
www.fastweb.com (Fastweb searches for scholarships based on your interests and skills)
www.wfaa.org (Washington Financial Aid Association)
www.finaid.org (FinAid! is a central source for financial aid)
www.collegenet.com (College Net, search colleges and find financial aid)
www.collegeboard.org (College Board website, search for colleges, financial aid and scholarships)
www.collegequest.com (College Quest, how to choose the right college & scholarship search)
www.freschinfo.com (FreSch! Free scholarship listing, contests, database, etc.)
www.collegeview.com (College View website is a comprehensive college and scholarship search)
www.collegescholarships.com (A website dedicated to searching for scholarships)
www.wiredscholar.com (Sallie Mae website helps students plan, prepare and pay for college)
www.blackstudentfund.org (Black Student Fund)
www.nasfaa.org (National Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators)
www.collegesavings.com (College Savings Bank website)
www.get.wa.gov (Guaranteed Education Tuition: savings program for parents of college bound)
www.americorps.org (Americorps National Service Program)
www.iefa.org (International Education Financial Aid)
www.uncf.org (United Negro College Fund)
www.collegefund.org (American Indian College Fund)
www.petersons.com (Petersons is a national college and scholarship search site)
www.gocollege.com (Perform a college and financial aid search to figure out the best combination of academics and affordability.)

(Search at your own risk. Links to other websites have been screened for content. However, we cannot guarantee that standards will be maintained at other sites.)

INCREASING YOUR ODDS: Here are some steps to follow once you've decided to get started:

1. Get organized from the beginning.
2. Plan on applying for as many scholarships as possible.
3. Develop a suite of generic reusable materials (common theme essays – fine tune for each scholarship. Take specific themes and re-use them for other scholarships and school work).
4. Leverage school work and class time (write school essays that can double for scholarship essays).
5. Contact past scholarship winners for hints on being successful.
6. Develop a list of potential recommendation writers
7. Make and update personal inventory/resume lists:
   a. Extra-curricular activities
   b. Awards won
   c. Service activities
   d. Work experience
   e. Interests and hobbies

Don't worry about finding the time to do all of this? The reality is that this is a front-loading process. The most time needed is on the front end, and then it becomes more maintenance. Treat it as an extra-curricular activity! Commit some time to it, and then do it!

HOW THE SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEES DECIDE:

• Be a stand out amongst the others.
• Individual scholarship committees all have their own criteria by which they select and grant the recipients of the award money.
• Although there is not one uniform rubric that committees follow, there are some general qualifying guidelines that committee members like to see when reviewing scholarship applications such as organization and attention to detail

HOW TO DEMOSTRATE YOU ARE A STANDOUT CANDIDATE?

• Treat each component of the application (essay, list of activities, etc.) as a part of the unified whole, not separate. Each contributes to the overall impression of the application.
• Have theme and paint a personal, clear picture.
• Be credible.
• Invest in hard work & extra hours.
• Overcome obstacles & roadblocks with grit and character.
• Teamwork & completing projects with other people.
• Perseverance- those struggles that have helped you get where you are now.
• Individual initiative & taking action.
• Passio & enthusiasm- Your sense of excitement and wonder.
• Responsibility & accountability.
• Civic duty & how you've given back.
• Purpose- Reflect on where you want to go and how you will get there.
• Character- Your ethical and moral fabric.
• If you can demonstrate/present these virtues within your application, you increase your odds with the judges.
   

SCORING POINTS: If you want to rise to the top of the pile of applicants, follow the following suggestions:

• Define each scholarship's ideal applicant and emphasize personal attributes matching this definition.
• Expand upon your strong points.
• Shore up your weak areas (find painless ways to fill in your resume gaps).
• Search for clues in the application and determine the motives of the donors.
• Pay attention to the details.
• Look for the unusual (criteria that stand out from other applications).

LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION do's and don'ts to keep in mind when securing your recommendation letters:

DO's

• Do choose someone who knows you well enough to give you a recommendation.
• Do get recommendations from employers, professors, school administration, and anyone else who is familiar with your work ethic.
• Do ask for the recommendation in person, rather than sending an email.
• Do follow up with an email reminder and attach your Brag Sheet (in Naviance), Resume, Transcript or Activity list.
• Do tell the letter writer why you need the recommendation letter. 
• Do mention specific things that you would like to see included.
• Do send a thank you note afterwards. 
• Do keep copies of the letter. You may need to use it again in the future.

DON'TS

• Don't wait until the last minute. Secure letters of recommendation as soon as possible. (Two weeks at least)
• Don't ask someone to lie. 
• Don't ever forge signatures. 
• Don't choose someone only for their title. Pick someone who has a title AND knows you well.
• Don't choose someone who is a poor writer.
• Don't hesitate to get as many recommendation letters as possible. Choose the ones that show you in the best light. 
• Don't be surprised if the person you are asking for a recommendation letter asks you to write a letter that they will later modify and sign. This is a common practice. 
• Don't forget to say please and thank you. A letter of recommendation is a valuable resource. 
• Don't send one if it is not asked for.

YOU'VE WON A SCHOLARSHIP! NOW WHAT?

Congratulations! Your hard work and smart strategies have paid off! Here's what happens next:

Types of scholarships:

1. One time lump sum payment to you;
2. One time lump sum payment to your school;
3. Term by term fixed payment to you;
4. Unscheduled variable sum payment to you;
5. Unscheduled variable sum payment to your school.

Some questions you need to ask:

1. Who gets the funds (you or your college finanical aid department)?
2. What will these funds cover (tuition, housing or books/supplies)?
3. How the payment will be made (one lump sum, or installments)?
4. When you must use the funds (within four years, etc.)?
5. What schooling it covers (2 year, 4 year, technical school, etc.)?
6. Have I remembered to send my thank you note???

Making arrangements:

1. Know who the scholarship administrator is.
2. Know any limitations, requirements, or restrictions of the scholarship.
3. Know the procedure for getting the funds transferred to you or the school.
4. Track the details for each award:
   a. Name of the scholarship
   b. Administrator's name and contact information
   c. Total amount of award
   d. Payment schedule
   e. Expiration date
   f. Any reporting and maintenance requirements
   g. Allowed use of funds

Information on this page was obtained from the book How to go to College (almost) for Free by Benjamin R. Kaplan, Waggle Dancer Books.