Welcome to Scholarships 101 Workshop CINDY HARRISON

Reality: Students with better grades are more likely to win scholarships, but B and C students do win some. Myth: Only “A” Students Win Scholarships Cumulative GPA on a 4.0 Scale High School GPA College GPA % Winning Scholarships % of Scholarship Winners % Winning Scholarships (D- to C) 5.7% 1.3% 7.0% (C to B-) 7.1% 6.2% 9.1% (B- to B) 9.5% 8.1% 10.7% (B to A-) 10.7% 30.0% 13.1% (A- to A) 18.7% 54.4% 18.8%

Myth: Just for High School Seniors  There are scholarships with deadlines in every month of the year for all high school students Deadlines peak in the fall and spring Summer is the low point  Many families wait until spring of the senior year in high school to figure out how to pay for college, missing half the deadlines for seniors let alone previous years.  Continue searching for scholarships after you have enrolled in college

Myth: Searching and Applying for Scholarships is too much work.  Searching for scholarships is the easy part  Applying for scholarships is hard, but then so is applying for college admission  It gets much easier after your first half-dozen applications, since you can reuse and adapt your previous application essays

Types of Scholarships  University/College based  Merit - based on academic achievements  Talent: athletic, art, music etc.  Institutional – comes directly from the college or university  Private – comes from companies, organizations or individuals (community service and leadership are often critical components to these scholarships)

Merit & Institutional  Many colleges have their own merit and need-based scholarship programs  Merit: Academic scholarship. The higher the student’s GPA and/or test scores more money available.  Example the scholarship estimator at ASUscholarship estimator at ASU  Institution Specific:  Certain majors or departments at the college may have scholarships (example- Engineering/women Scholarship Universe at U of AScholarship Universe at U of A  Check with school to find out if there is a separate application for scholarships at your college of choice.

Institutional - Athletics  Must be registered with NCAA or NAIA to play sports in a 4yr college or university  Division I and II schools have athletic scholarships Click here for more information: NCAA Eligibility CenterNCAA Eligibility Center  Division III schools no athletic scholarships –academic only  NAIA Schools also offer athletic scholarship opportunities. Click here for more information: NAIANAIA  See your counselor if you have any questions

Examples of Private Scholarships  Service & Leadership based  Essay  Lottery  Occupational  Unusual

Community Service & Leadership  Very popular criteria – You are building your resume with clubs, service, leadership, summer programs and work experience.  Quality not quantity counts  Keep track of community service, dates, and name of supervisor or adult in charge

Essay  Many essay contests are open to all grade levels  Specific essay prompt  Good way to start early with scholarships (hint hint that means you and now)

Lottery  Usually no criteria – just apply.  Marketing tool  Be careful!  Example: Milk Moustache ScholarshipMilk Moustache Scholarship

Occupation  Student or parents must work in certain career  Police, Fire, Grocery, Agriculture, Civil Service, etc.  Example from HHS List: Desert Schools

Unusual  Physical characteristics, creativity, last name, field of study, the final frontier, animal appreciation, food-related, activity related, good works, what you don’t do, twins and legacies.  Finaid.org (unusual scholarships) Finaid.org  Duck Brand Duct Tape "Stuck At Prom®”

Places to Look  Highland High School Website – Scholarship ListScholarship List  Scholarship search engine – Arizona Career Information SystemArizona Career Information System

Scholarship Scams  If you must pay money to get money, it might be a scam  If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.  Nobody can guarantee that you will win a scholarship

Scholarship Scams  Never invest more than a postage stamp to get information about scholarships or to apply for a scholarship  Do not give out personal information like bank account numbers, credit card numbers or Social Security numbers  Beware of the unclaimed aid myth  We apply on your behalf (true for loans and grants as well)

Top Ten Tips 1. Apply only if you are eligible 2. Complete application in full 3. Follow directions 4. Neatness counts 5. Make sure your essay makes an impression

Top Ten Tips 6. Watch all deadlines 7. Take steps to make sure your application gets where it needs to go 8. Give it a final “once-over”. 9. Ask for help if you need it 10. Remember: your scholarship application represents you ! 11. Cindy’s tip: get a new account that you use just for scholarships and college.

Additional Tips for Winning Scholarships  You can’t win if you don’t apply One in four students never applies for financial aid  It gets easier after your first few applications Essays can be reused and tailored to each new application  Don’t miss deadlines  To win more scholarships apply to more (but only if you qualify).

Websites Highland High School HHS Website -Scholarship List Arizona Career Information System The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid FastWeb College and Scholarship Database Scholarships4Students Scholarships.com Scholarship Help Federal Student Aid

Scholarship Components The application is more than just a form: Personal Essay – Personal Statement Resume Letters of recommendation *Remember what you are doing in high school is building a resume. These activities are reflected on your application.

Writing a Winning Scholarship Application  Give examples and be specific  Personalize your essay and be passionate  Talk about your impact on other people  Proofread a printed copy of the essay for spelling and grammar errors

How to Get Great Letters of Recommendation Request in writing Give your letter writer basic information Your contact information The deadline for each letter you need The type of scholarship for which you're applying scholarship details Any special forms/Directions from the application Give your letter writer information you would like emphasized in the letter ◦ Course of study ◦ Career interests ◦ Resume Campus or community activities Honors and awards received

Who Should You Ask? Choose someone who:  Has worked with you closely. (teacher, club sponsor, coach, supervisor)  Has worked with you long enough to write from real knowledge. (counselor or teacher)  Is relevant to the scholarship you have chosen. (teachers in the case of academic applications)  Has a positive opinion of you and your abilities.  Has an personal style that is warm and supportive.

Common Application Mistakes  Missing deadlines  Failing to proofread the application  Failing to follow directions (essay length, number of recommendations)  Omitting required information  Applying for an award when you don’t qualify  Failing to apply for an award for which you are eligible  Failing to tailor the application to the sponsor Writing a boring essay

 Be involved in clubs, activities, community service and seek out leadership activities  Finding scholarships requires dedication  Decide which scholarship – Keep a notebook by month/deadline  Don’t overlook scholarships for smaller awards  Verify deadlines  Read eligibility requirements CAREFULLY and THOROUGHLY  Develop strong mentorship with teachers/staff that can write you multiple letter of recommendations and give them PLENTY OF TIME (at least three weeks)  Be assertive, take initiative  Proofread your application for spelling and grammar mistakes  Use a professional address  Clean up the content of your Facebook account  Make a copy of your application before mailing it  Respond to ALL questions  Request transcripts  Thank-you letters Summary of Tips

Places to Look  Highland High School Website – Scholarship List  Scholarship search engine (azcis.intocareers.org, fastweb.com, etc.)  College you plan to attend (usually under Financial Aid)  Local organizations (Kiwanis, Rotary, Elks)  Local businesses (WalMart, Best Buy)  Employers/Unions  Cultural, ethnic and religious organizations  Associations( American Nurses Association) *hint, Google is a great place to start

Thank you!