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“Scholarships 101”

“Scholarships 101”. Finding scholarships. Two Methods for Finding Scholarships. “Networking” Internet searching. “Networking”. Finding scholarships through talking to people with whom you have some connection (ex: employers, unions, churches, military, local businesses, clubs, etc.)

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“Scholarships 101”

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  1. “Scholarships 101” Finding scholarships

  2. Two Methods for Finding Scholarships • “Networking” • Internet searching

  3. “Networking” • Finding scholarships through talking to people with whom you have some connection (ex: employers, unions, churches, military, local businesses, clubs, etc.) • Advantages • Less competition • Personal connection • Disadvantages • More work finding them • Usually fewer

  4. Internet Searching • Using internet databases to match information about yourself with possible scholarships • Advantages • Many scholarships (500,000+ on one site!) • Can search any time of day or night • Disadvantages • Highly competitive (lots of applicants) • Impersonal (sometimes harder to relate to these)

  5. Institutional Scholarships • Each institution has a system for awarding scholarships to students planning to attend their institution (Links for nearby schools) • Check with the financial aid office at the institution(s) you are planning to attend • Washington State University • Eastern Washington • others • Some scholarships are awarded through individual departments/colleges within a university so check with them also

  6. Private Scholarships • Many organizations and individuals set up scholarships • Requirements for getting these scholarships will vary • Think of organizations you or your parents might be involved with and ask about scholarships (ex. Lions Club, Churches, Unions, Rotary, etc.) • Examples of scholarships available to Walla Walla area students

  7. Planning Your Search • Identify the sources will you use • Manage your time • Understand how much money you need to get

  8. Organize Your SearchTo make your scholarship search efficient you should: • Complete the Personal Data Sheet for writing essays and answering questions • Track scholarship applications and deadlines • Request recommendations • Create a game plan

  9. Understand Your Timeline! • Getting scholarships takes time • Many scholarships are due by March 1 or before • Plan time for: • Searching • Writing essays • Requesting references • Gathering materials and organizing (transcripts, etc.)

  10. Writing Applications and Essays • Pull information from Personal Data Sheet • Research the organization giving the scholarship • What are they looking for? Sample Announcement • Give them a reason to like you (Brainstorm) • Have at least one person edit your essay • Answer the question! (A Sample Answer) • Find something unique to tell about yourself (ex. experience you had that helped you decide to go into your field of study) (Sample Personal Statements) • Action verbs – Use them!

  11. Reference Letters • Request referencesfrom people who can write you a good letter • Prepare a Reference Letter Data Sheet • Look at A Sample Request • Give two weeks for the person to prepare the letter • Make that date at least one week before you intend to mail your application • Send a thank you letter immediately and update them when you receive notice

  12. Tools You Can Use Scholarship search materials in • TRiO Office • Financial Aid Office and • Private and local scholarships • Scholarship search engines • Download info to TRiO thumbdrive to keep it centralized • game plan • Successful application • Scholarship search engines • Letter to request scholarship information • Personal data sheet • Track scholarships • Recommendation request

  13. Scholarship Scams • “This scholarship is guaranteed or your money back” • “The scholarship service will do all the work” • “The scholarship will cost some money” • “You can’t get this information anywhere else” • “You’re the finalist…in a contest you never entered” or “You have been selected by a national foundation to receive a scholarship” • “The scholarship service needs your credit card or checking number in advance”

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