IVC Scholarship Essay workshop

1. IVC Scholarship Essay workshop Presented by Michelle Scharf, IVC Counselor/Transfer Center Director

2. IVC Scholarship Program Last year, 300 Students received $324,058! • Types of Scholarships: • Endowments: To honor a loved one, faculty and others will set up a scholarship in their name and decide what type of student they want their money to go to • Corporations: Businesses and banks sponsor scholarships to assist students working towards specific goals • IVC Departments and Student Government (ASIVC): Money collected from purchasing an ASIVC sticker and from departments on campus often go toward scholarships for students in certain majors, with specified GPAs, who show leadership and activity involvement, etc. • Foundations: Organizations that exist to collect donations and pass them along to those in some type of need • Some scholarships are need-based, some are GPA-based, and some are based on other characteristics • See the available scholarships here: https://ivc.starsscholarshipsonline.com/STARS/Default.aspx

3. General Guidelines for Applying • Visit the IVC website to access the application: http://www.ivc.edu/student/finaid/Pages/ScholarAppInfo.aspx • Please complete the application form from the college website. Fill in the required information and submit by 11:59 p.m. (PST), Friday, February 21, 2014. • HANDWRITTEN APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. • Fill in every space. If a question does not apply to you write “Not Applicable" or “n/a". • Decide whether you will be a continuing or transferring student. • An ASIVC/ASG activity card must be purchased for ASIVC scholarship consideration – cost is $10 from the Student Affairs office in SC 260A.

4. The Application – 6 parts Start by creating your account and answering a few questions about yourself Answer the questionnaire – your answers help determine your recommended scholarships Answer a few questions about your academics like major, GPA, whether you are transferring or continuing, units earned, etc.

5. Please note: • When you are answering the questionnaire, if you are not currently enrolled at IVC, or are not continuing in the fall and not transferring to a 4-year school in the fall, you will get this message:

6. Part 4: Essay Questions • Compose essay in a word document and then copy and paste – otherwise you will be timed out and lose your essay! • 1. Summarize your life experiences and any hardships that have impacted your path to higher education. • 2. Please describe your interest in your intended major, how your interest in the field developed and your educational and career aspirations. • 3. Discuss your educational and career aspirations as well as your ability to complete and achieve these goals. • 4. How will your educational experience be affected if selected to receive a scholarship from the Irvine Valley College Scholarship Program.

7. Tips on Writing the Essay • Know your audience • Do your research on who is offering the scholarship(s). Check your recommended scholarships under the last tab on the Scholarship Application Wizard. • Highlight how you represent the values and mission of the scholarship(s) (to prepare for a profession, to honor the memory of a person who was passionate about a cause, etc.) • Create a thesis • Determine the objective of your essay and write one sentence that expresses it Your whole essay should revolve around that. • Your time to shine! • Highlight your accomplishments but only those that relate to your thesis • Honesty is the best policy • Stand out from the crowd • What makes you unique or different from the others applying? • Share a personal story that conveys who you are, your personality

8. Tips on Writing the Essay • Make your words count • Quality, not quantity • Be clear and concise • Back up your thesis with specific examples • Proper grammar and spelling will make it easier for the committee to follow your essay and not be distracted by mistakes • Note: The committee is instructed to not downgrade your essay for writing, grammar, or language errors as the content is what you are ranked on

9. Tips on Writing the Essay • Other tips • It is ok to elaborate on challenges and difficult circumstances, but show the committee what you have accomplished despite your circumstances and your potential as a result • Proofread and have someone else proofread it • Revise as needed • Do not plagiarize • Recycle other personal statements (if you have one) if they seem to answer the questions asked (UC, Common App, etc.) • Don’t miss the deadline – February 21st!

10. How the Committee Will Evaluate Your Essay Know Your Audience Your audience (the scholarship committee) will be made up of 30 faculty, staff, administrators, students, and community volunteers. In some cases, the donor(s) will also read your answers.

11. Step 5: Letter of Recommendation • You can choose to skip this step, but requesting at least one letter of recommendation can significantly strengthen your application • Help your recommender write you the best letter possible! • Ask them in advance – at least 2 weeks notice • Provide them with a copy of your transcript, resume, and essay • Remind them of anything specific about you that they can comment on such as: your leadership skills in your group project, your excellent performance in their class, your initiative, problem solving skills, or any other strengths you want them to point out with specific examples to illustrate them. • Pick someone who can speak highly of you and knows you well!

12. Letter of Recommendation • Once you send your recommendation request, your recommender will receive an email right away:

13. Letter of Recommendation

14. Letter of Recommendation Check to see if your recommender has responded at least a week before the due date. Don’t be afraid to remind him/her!

15. Step 6: Choose Recommended Scholarships • Click “Apply Now” for each scholarship you want to be considered for • You will be asked to verify your eligibility for each scholarship like this:

16. Receiving Your Award • At the end of April you will receive a letter informing you if you have been selected to receive a scholarship. • If you are invited to the Awards Program, you must attend. If you do not attend, you may risk forfeiting your scholarship. We advise you to mark your calendar for this event. • After the Awards Program, you will receive a letter explaining the steps for receiving your scholarship(s). These steps have been abbreviated below: • Send a thank-you letter to your donor. Thank you notes are supplied when you receive your award certificate. • Meet the spring unit and GPA requirements as stated in the Continuing/Transferring Section. If transferring, provide documentation of acceptance. The IVC Financial Aid Office will verify this information, and disbursements will be mailed to the Transfer institution. OSHER Scholarships are not eligible for transfer to four year institutions. • Applicant agrees to allow Scholarship Information to be shared with third party donors. • Applicant agrees to have name posted in scholarship program. • If you change your address after submitting you scholarship application, you must notify the Admissions and Records Office and the Financial Aid Office.

17. Questions? • Remember - if you have questions about the scholarship application, please stop by the Financial Aid Office in the Student Services Center. You also may call 949-451-5287 or e-mail financialaid@ivc.edu.