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Maximize Your Scholarship Opportunities at CWU

Explore various strategies for finding and applying for scholarships, including utilizing the internet, community-based scholarships, and the CWU General Scholarship Application.

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Maximize Your Scholarship Opportunities at CWU

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  1. Scholarship 102 Don’t empty your piggy!

  2. Office of Financial Aid Barge Hall 115 509-963-1611 FINAID@CWU.EDU www.cwu.edu/scholarships CWU Self-Help Office of Financial Aid

  3. Overview • Searching for scholarships • Boosting your scholarship résumé • Scholarships & Financial Aid • CWU General Scholarship Application

  4. Scholarship Hunting Scholarship Hunting is a skill set that will come in handy after graduation: Meet an application deadline Follow application instructions closely Identify your strengths and express them to others Prepare materials for others’ review Compete against other qualified candidates Learn to persevere through disappointment

  5. Scholarship Searches Our best friend – the internet Community-based scholarships Networking in your academic department

  6. Internet Remember the benefits: • LOTS of info – find your niche • Up-to-date information • Search anytime, anywhere

  7. Internet Remember the pitfalls: • Spam/Ads – *start a separate email address • Beware of scams • Larger applicant pools • LOTS of info – don’t get overwhelmed • NEVER pay money to submit an application

  8. Internet Search engines Matching services Websites of businesses/organizations www.theWashBoard.org www.cwu.edu/scholarships www.scholarshipjunkies.com -Outside and Institutional

  9. Community Based Scholarships Remember the benefits: Smaller applicant pools Usually leadership/service-based (boost that résumé!) Donors are flexible with use of scholarships

  10. Community Based Scholarships Remember the pitfalls: • Smaller dollar amounts • BUT every little bit adds up! • Usually leadership/service-based (time-consuming for already-busy students) • Not widely advertised • Takes your initiative to go out and find them!

  11. Community Based Scholarships Service organizations: Lions Club, Kiwanis, Rotary Parents’ employer or other affiliation Local political groups Dollars for Scholars Community Education Foundations Religious affiliations Hobby clubs—garden clubs, rodeo clubs, etc. Ask a high school counselor!

  12. Central Washington University’s General Scholarship Application (GSA) Available from October 1st to March 1st Each year

  13. CWU General Scholarship Application • Open October 1st to March 1st every year • ONE application through your MyCWU Account= Dozens of possible awards! • CWU Foundation raises funds for the GSA • CWU Alumni • Community Members • Local & State Businesses

  14. CWU General Scholarship Application • Visit www.cwu.edu/scholarships • Click “General Scholarship Application” on the left side of the page to view ALL the scholarships that are connected to the GSA • Published on the website year round, so you can get a good idea of which awards you will want to apply to between October 1st and March 1st. • Get letters of recommendation, essays, and resumes ready early!

  15. CWU Scholarship Website • Visit the “Outside Scholarships” link • Updated regularly with outside donor scholarships • Browse a variety of scholarships with a wide range of requirements and deadlines • Visit “CWU Scholarships” link • Any CWU scholarships that are not a part of the GSA can be found here • Departmental awards www.cwu.edu/scholarships

  16. Scholarship Applications: Boost your Resume Get Prepared for your scholarship applications

  17. Boosting Your Scholarship Résumé Volunteer Experience Leadership Experience Job Experience Study Abroad/Cross-Cultural Experience Self-Initiated Activities Activities Related to Your Field of Study Think UNIQUE!

  18. Volunteer Experience • You can walk into almost ANY non-profit organization and say “I want to volunteer!” • Planned Parenthood • FISH Food Bank • Pick something that lines up with your major or your passions • Volunteer at local schools (Education Majors) • Visit the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement • SURC 256 (Ellensburg Campus) Phone: 509-963-1850

  19. Leadership Experience • Think formal and informal leadership experiences • Sports/clubs/camps • Class projects • Get involved with Residence Life if you live on campus • Dorm RA’s • Don’t overlook your employment experience for instances of leadership • Work project, management position, etc.

  20. Study Abroad/Cross Cultural Experiences • Visit the Study Abroad and Exchange Office • International Center (across from L&L Building) • Phone: 509-963-3612 • Many affordable programs • Summer programs • Go somewhere unique! • AUAP—Asia University America Program—become a Campus Friend • Volunteer at World Languages Day on campus

  21. Self-Initiated Activities • Think about your community and what it needs • Garbage-pick-up Day • Tree-planting Day • Start a book club • Hold a themed swap meet • Ski/snowboarding (winter gear) • Camping/hiking (summer gear) • Build something • Local park big toy/play area

  22. Experience related to your major • Go to your major/minor department • Ask professors/advisors for ideas • Go to the Career Center and ask about internships • Both local and nonlocal opportunities • Phone: 509-963-1921

  23. Scholarships and Your Financial Aid Package So, You just won a scholarship…now what?

  24. Congratulations on your scholarship(s)! Be sure to let CWU know as soon as possibleof any scholarships you will be receiving from “outside” sources We need to know the amount of the scholarship and who it is from in order to build it into your financial aid package Please email/fax/mail a copy of your award letter to: CWU Financial Aid Scholarships 400 East University Way Ellensburg, WA 98926-7495 Or finaid@cwu.edu Fax: 509-963-1788

  25. What we’ve learned today Hunting for scholarships will take you down many avenues The “new landscape” of scholarships—think outside the box! There’s lots you can do to make yourself an attractive scholarship candidate Earning scholarships will most likely affect your financial aid package Remember to visit the CWU Scholarship Website for up-to-date scholarship information

  26. Got a Question? You can email any and all questions to the Scholarship email FINAID@CWU.EDU or please call the Scholarship Office at 509-963-1611

  27. Happy Scholarship Hunting! Reminders: Cwu General Scholarship Application CLOSES ON March 1st! Don’t miss out on great scholarship opportunities! Apply!

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