Searching for Scholarships

1. Searching for Scholarships

2. Overwhelming!!

3. Starting is the hardest part! There are so many resources out there that you have to do some research first. Compare it to searching for the right college!

4. THE PROCESS • Guidance Counselor – they will be a great resource as to what is available both locally and nationally • Every high school has there own way of notifying their students as to what is available for them. Some send out emails, some publish a booklet, some have bulletin boards in the Guidance Department or the school library or cafeteria. Some school districts put a booklet on their website!

5. There are websites that are there to help you with the process: • www.collegeboard.com • www.facts.org • www.fastweb.org • www.scholarships.com

6. Every college or university that you apply to has their own web page that has financial aid and scholarship information on it. • This is a valuable resource! They will help if they are aware of your need!

7. ORGANIZATION • Develop a chart to keep track of the scholarships and their requirements as well as their deadlines. • Save all of your scholarship information! • Develop a Resume • Letters of Recommendation • Essays

8. Educate yourself! • Be aware of Scholarship Scams! Never pay for money! Legitimate scholarship agencies want to help you find money – they don’t request payment to find you money! • Never give out credit card information or your bank information to an unsolicited caller! • If something doesn’t feel right – it probably isn’t!

9. Scholarship Interviews • Some scholarships may require an interview. • Dress appropriately! • Research the organization/agency. • Be prepared with questions. • Arrive early!

10. Tips to Remember • No amount is too small! • Everyone is not applying for every scholarship! • It takes work to earn the scholarship money – just like it takes work to earn the college acceptances! • Ask questions!