Navigating Your Scholarship Search

1. Navigating Your Scholarship Search Presented by: Nohemy Ornelas Cuesta College Financial Aid Office

2. Where to look Searching for Scholarships Getting Organized Essays Scholarship Scams Information covered:

3. Free Online Scholarship Searches Local Public Library College’s Financial Aid Office Often have their own need and non-need –based scholarships and grants High School Counselor Community Organizations Kiwanis, Rotary Club Where to look?

4. Start Searching Now! Early deadlines can be as soon as January or February Cuesta Scholarship deadline: March 2, 2011 Other Schools/Organizations have later or even sooner deadlines. Apply to as Many as Possible! The money adds up Looks good on your scholarship resume Smaller Scholarships may have fewer applicants-better chance for you! Searching For Scholarships:

5. Do not apply for the scholarship if you do not meet all the criteria! This is a big waste of time—Donors usually receive more qualified applications than they have money to award. When you DO meet the criteria, don’t forget to list it! Forgetting to write about what make you a qualified candidate is a very common mistake Searching For Scholarships:

6. Online Scholarship Searches- Check how often the web site is updated (annually, quarterly?) Be aware of Scams! If it costs money, it’s usually a scam. Only list criteria that relates to your goals/major/field of study Listing “horseback riding” as a hobby might result in receiving offers of scholarships to equestrian schools instead of your true major. Most Financial Aid Office’s have links to trusted sites directly from their web sites. Fastweb ● Finaid.org ● Petersons.com Searching For Scholarships:

7. Seek good letters of recommendation Use current references! Donors will look at the dates of your recommendation letters. Any recommendation over 1 year old is usually too old. Pick people who: Can write about you well Relevant to the sponsor’s goals—Science sponsor = Science teacher Have known you for a long time (ex. Teachers you took more than 1 class from) Searching For Scholarships:

8. Seek good letters of recommendation Good People to ask: Teachers and professors Employer Coach Director of community service activity where you volunteered Bad People to ask: Family members Defeats the purpose of the letter. Donors are looking for third-party documentation-validation of accomplishments and background. Teachers who have just met you during the current semester Almost never give strong recommendation and usually indicate lack of knowledge of your accomplishments and/or abilities to succeed. Searching For Scholarships:

9. Things to provide recommendation writer: Stamped and addressed envelopes for required forms Summary of purpose of award Copy of your draft scholarship application Plenty of time—four weeks before deadline After letter has been sent: Do not ask to see a copy-Sponsors may question candidness Write a thank you letter-you never know if you may need another letter. Searching For Scholarships:

10. Accomplishment Resume Summary that lists your accomplishments-Academic and Extracurricular Good references when completing application Good to have for writer of letter of recommendation Document your achievements Hobbies and extracurricular activities count Provides opportunity to be eligible for a wider variety of scholarships Depth of involvement will distinguish you When stating your activities: Quality is better than Quantity Searching For Scholarships:

11. Less likely to miss: Deadlines Asking for recommendations Create folders for each application Attach checklist listing: Required materials (transcripts, current class schedule, how many references?) Deadlines Date you sent application Getting Organized:

12. Keep photocopies of application In case you need to resend Reuse information for other applications Application with multiple pages Label each page with: Name Phone number Getting Organized:

13. Don’t miss deadlines! Automatically disqualify regardless of excuse You won’t get an extension Deadline is based on: Date received Post marked date Mail application at least a week before deadline Keep photocopies of application In case you need to resubmit the application Reuse for other scholarship applications Getting Organized:

14. Don’t skip questions If a question does not apply, write “not applicable,” do not leave blank Application with multiple pages Label each page with your name and the page number Was your application received? Include a self-addressed stamped postcard with your application, or Send application by certified mail, or Send application with return receipt requested. Getting Organized:

15. Don’t forget to renew your scholarship Satisfy annual requirements to keep scholarships Maintain satisfactory academic progress Keep required GPA Remain in declared major Go to school full-time (if required—some scholarships require only ½ time attendance) Provide transcripts Annual community service Getting Organized:

16. Read the directions! Helps to clarify intent of question Not following instructions will leave a negative impression Write an interesting essay Goal is to be interesting and attract attention Write about something you find interesting Sponsors read a lot of essays Try to incorporate your experiences Essays:

17. Give Concrete Examples Support your statements Use specifics Vague statements or unexplained references to events, conditions or circumstances (i.e. “I had problems and couldn’t find a job.”) creates a negative impression. Use action words (Organized, dedicated, determined…) Don’t Exaggerate The truth always comes out Sponsors are good at detecting exaggeration Essays:

18. Proofread your application Spelling counts and will impact the outcome Make sure you review Ask a teacher or parent A second set of eyes can always help Always type your application Neatness counts Unless specifically stated otherwise Essays:

19. Be decisive Sponsors want to support students who will graduate with a specific degree Be concise in your response Be positive Be polite Expect the unexpected Unusual questions are intended to see how you react. Have questions It is always important to ask a few questions Interview:

20. Practice Helps settle nerves Opportunity to get comfortable with answers and talking about yourself Remember-It’s a conversation not a confrontation Be Punctual Dress for Success Suit and tie for men, professional dress, pantsuit or skirt and blouse for women If professional attire isn’t available, dress conservatively Interview:

21. Every year thousands of students and parents are defrauded by scholarship scams. How can you identify scams? Key rules: If you have to pay money to get money it is probably a scam If it sounds too good to be true, it is Spend the time not the money Never invest more than a postage stamp to get information nobody can guarantee Legitimate scholarship foundations do not charge application fees If you are suspicious, there is usually a good reason Scholarship Scams:

22. You shouldn’t have to pay to get information about a scholarship No legitimate scholarship sponsor will guarantee an award Awarding is a selection process requiring review of application “Everybody is eligible:” Sponsors are looking to match specific criteria Some set of restrictions always applies “We apply on your behalf:” Only you can complete your application There is no way to avoid the work Overstated claims of effectiveness are a good scam tip-off. If it sounds too good to be true, it is. Scholarship Scams:

23. No telephone number Sponsors will include a telephone number for inquires Masquerading as a federal agency Official sounding names don’t always mean they are official. If you are unsure, check with the Federal Trade Commission and the Better Business Bureau Unsolicited opportunities Sponsors have more applicants than money to award—they don’t need to solicit applicants Sponsors will only contact you in response to your inquiry Scholarship Scams:

24. Time pressure Deadlines are set and clear. The only reason you should have time pressure is if you have not submitted your application and the deadline is near. Notification by phone If you have won a scholarship, you will receive written notification. A sponsor may contact you by phone only if the initial notification was returned to them by the Post Office. Usually to request updated mailing address. The Scholarship Prize You have won a scholarship, but requires you to pay a “disbursement” or “redemption” fee. If you didn’t enter, you didn’t win. Scholarship Scams:

25. www.armedforcescareers.com – Information on pursuing a career in the US Armed Forces. www.blackexcel.org – resource primarily African-American families and first-generation college students. www.careerprep.com – Summary of news and employment trends. www.collegeedge.com – Helps students to select majors, careers, colleges and scholarships. www.collegenet.com – Offers college search, financial aid assistance, scholarship search, and on-line college applications. www.collegereview.com – Resource of 3500 + colleges with multimedia tours and financial aid information. www.edupass.org – Financial Aid information for foreign students. www.fastweb.com – Free scholarship search service. www.finaid.org – Tips, questions, and information regarding financial aid. www.mapping-your-future.org – College and career planning information. www.petersons.com – Information on SAT, scholarships, college selection. www.princetonreview – A variety of college information. www.scholaraid.com – Free scholarship service. www.schoolfinder.com – Offers assistance on identifying interests, colleges, and scholarships. www.srnexpress.com – Advanced scholarship search with many private scholarships not available on other sites. www.usnews.com – Guide to the best college bets for the money, application checklist, and financial assistance. www.wiredscholar.com – Scholarship search and financial aid information. www.edamerica.org – Free scholarship search found in website. Useful websites for your scholarship search:

26. Thank you for attending!Questions?Scholarship Information adapted from EdAmerica presentation, reused with permission courtesy of Luke Downer of EdAmerica