Applying for Scholarships

1. Boulder Creek High School Pathways Applying for Scholarships

2. Pathways Essential Questions • How will you become a productive, responsible, and contributing citizen? • Who do you want to be? Boulder Creek Mission Statement – The Boulder Creek High School Community will provide a safe learning environment with rigorous academic opportunities for all students to graduate as productive, responsible, and contributing citizens.

3. Today we will: • Identify the components of scholarship/college applications • Evaluate experiences and skills to complete scholarship/college applications • Think about how to write a good scholarship essay • Locate the “One for All” common application for colleges and universities • Consider tips for success with applying for scholarships

4. What characteristics can get you a scholarship? • Academic Achievement or leadership • Interest in a given field • Unique characteristics • Financial need • Organizational affiliation • Community location

5. What makes you unique? • Complete the “Questions About You” handout • When you are done get into groups and find the person who: • Has been to the most countries • Has been in Boy or Girl Scouts • Is the most fluent in another language • Has a parent in a Union or Civic Organization • All of these activities can get you a scholarship!

6. Important Terms • Scholarships: financial aid awards for your accomplishments. • Athletic Scholarship • Merit Scholarship: Scholarships based on merit are essentially rewards for something you are good at or something about you.

7. Merit Scholarships • In a way, every scholarship is a competition with your peers. • So contests that offer scholarships to top-place finishers are essentially merit scholarships. • There are contests for essay writing, dance, and photography, to name a few. There is even a contest that awards scholarships for the best duct tape prom dresses and suits!

9. Scholarships • When you think of scholarships, do you think of sports or academics? • Can you believe there is a Duck-calling competition with a $1,500 scholarship for first place?

10. Other Merit Scholarships • People of particular races • Family backgrounds • Religions • To employees by businesses • Plan to study a certain subject in college • This is where those unique things about you can really pay off!

11. How do you get started? • Follow directions, and keep your application neat and professional looking. • For more on how to apply for scholarships, check out Applying for Financial Aid (azcis.intocareers.org) • On the next page is what the page looks like. • Remember that scholarships are not just about grades or athletics so include variety in your essays.

13. Tips for Scholarship Success! • Start working on your scholarship applications several months before they are due. • Tailor your essays and applications for each scholarship. • Give specific answers to questions, with examples if possible.

14. Tips for Scholarship Success! • Make answers interesting by telling a story or writing about something you’re passionate about. • Answer “Not Applicable” for questions that don’t apply to you – don’t leave any lines blank.

15. Tips for Scholarship Success! • On your resume update your test scores, GPA, and classes as you progress through your junior and senior years. • On your resume include activities and interests besides school and sports: work, community service, hobbies, personal accomplishments, etc.

16. Tips for Scholarship Success! • Have letters of recommendations written by former teachers or other adults you may now. • Find adults who are connected to the scholarship subject: for a dance scholarship, a letter from your dance coach is more important than a letter from your science teacher. • Give them a copy of the scholarship description, your scholarship essay, and resume so they can tailor their letter to the award.

17. Beware of scams • Beware of the following “tell-tale” signs: • “The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.” • “You can’t get this information anywhere else.” • “I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.” • “The scholarship will cost some money.” • “You’ve been selected” by a “national foundation” to receive a “scholarship” or “You’re a finalist” in a contest you never entered.

18. Which one is a SCAM? You are guaranteed $10K Enter this contest and you may win One-time award for high school seniors. This scholarship essay contest requires applicants to go online and read a short essay about sprinklers and fire safety. After finishing, they complete a ten-question quiz on what they just read. Each correct answer gives students a chance at winning one of 10, $2,000 scholarships (maximum 10 chances per entrant). Short essay and information available online at: http://www.afsascholarship.org • Just what you need to go back to school: • Build your profile. • This simple form is all you need to be registered for our $10,000 scholarship. Don't wait to register – the next scholarship will be awarded on July 15th, 2013! You’ll also be providing us with key information to help match you with colleges. • Discover your program. • Browse colleges that match your profile. We keep it simple: you have the option to choose which colleges to compare. Request information only from the schools that interest you. • All you need to do is pay $199.99

19. Which one is a SCAM? You have been selected You have been selected You have been selected as a Who Who’s Among American High School Students. There is no charge to be listed Buy a book with your name in it for $199.95 • Description: Renewable scholarship for graduating high school seniors enrolled either full time or part time in accredited colleges or universities. Minimum 3.0 GPA required. Two hundred and fifty awards are granted annually. • Application Requirements: Application form, transcript, test scores, interview, essay, references.

20. ANSWERS………………. You are guaranteed $10K You have been selected You have been selected as a Who Who’s Among American High School Students. There is no charge to be listed Buy a book with your name in it for $199.95 • Just what you need to go back to school: • Build your profile. • This simple form is all you need to be registered for our $10,000 scholarship. Don't wait to register – the next scholarship will be awarded on July 15th, 2013! You’ll also be providing us with key information to help match you with colleges. • Discover your program. • Browse colleges that match your profile. We keep it simple: you have the option to choose which colleges to compare. Request information only from the schools that interest you. • All you need to do is pay $199.99

21. Wrap Up! • Scholarships are not just for people with good grades and/or athletic abilities • Begin your scholarship search early • Be wary of any service that wants you to pay money to get their scholarship • Visit azcis.intocareers.org frequently to review tips and search for scholarships • https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqhlz9ufDto

22. Ticket out the door Please locate the reflection for today’ lesson that can be found in your packet and complete the following: • 3 ideas from today • 2 things you’ll use THIS YEAR • 1 thing you want to examine further

23. Sources • Arizona’s Career Information System • azcis.intocareers.org