Scholarship Application Tips

fpscholarships.wordpress.com twitter.com/fpscholarships Don’t forget: fpscholarships.wordpress.com twitter.com/fpscholarships

twitter.com/fpscholarships Don’t forget: fpscholarships.wordpress.com twitter.com/fpscholarships Get a twitter account!

Don’t forget: fpscholarships.wordpress.com twitter.com/fpscholarships Get a twitter account! Get a social insurance number (SIN)!

Start early!

Start early! Do not leave things until the last minute! Your application will be rushed, and any writing will clearly come across that way.

Start early! Do not leave things until the last minute! Your application will be rushed, and any writing will clearly come across that way. If you start early, you won’t miss deadline dates!

Start early! Do not leave things until the last minute! Your application will be rushed, and any writing will clearly come across that way. If you start early, you won’t miss deadline dates! Apply for several scholarships, not just one or two.

Types of Scholarships

Types of Scholarships Bursaries – based on financial need

Types of Scholarships Bursaries – based on financial need Scholarships – based on academic, involvement, leadership, or citizenship criteria

Types of Scholarships Bursaries – based on financial need Scholarships – based on academic, involvement, leadership, or citizenship criteria Nomination Scholarships – schools can nominate a limited number of candidates (I will set earlier deadline dates for these so we can decide our nominees)

Types of Scholarships Bursaries – based on financial need Scholarships – based on academic, involvement, leadership, or citizenship criteria Nomination Scholarships – schools can nominate a limited number of candidates (I will set earlier deadline dates for these so we can decide our nominees)... Loran Award, etc.

Get full information on the scholarship!

Get full information on the scholarship! Follow all instructions.

Get full information on the scholarship! Follow all instructions. Find out what you can about the organization offering the scholarship.

Eligibility

Eligibility Look at the criteria; determine if you are eligible.

Eligibility Look at the criteria; determine if you are eligible. Don’t waste your time, or other people’s time.

When completing an application:

When completing an application: List activities and awards, but...

When completing an application: List activities and awards, but... prioritize; focus on those that best suit scholarship criteria.

When completing an application: List activities and awards, but... prioritize; focus on those that best suit scholarship criteria. Extracurricular activities – let them know you care about your school community.

When completing an application: List activities and awards, but... prioritize; focus on those that best suit scholarship criteria. Extracurricular activities – let them know you care about your school community. Community activities – let them know you care about the world around you.

When completing an application (continued):

When completing an application (continued): Answer the questions that are being asked!

When completing an application (continued): Answer the questions that are being asked! Do not go off on tangents.

When completing an application (continued): Answer the questions that are being asked! Do not go off on tangents. Look for ways to make yourself sound unique!

When completing an application (continued): Answer the questions that are being asked! Do not go off on tangents. Look for ways to make yourself sound unique! Keep copies of all applications/essays, as you may use some of this information for later scholarships

When writing a personal letter or essay:

When writing a personal letter or essay: Write neatly (type).

When writing a personal letter or essay: Write neatly (type). DO NOT use slang or text language!

When writing a personal letter or essay: Write neatly (type). DO NOT use slang or text language! Write clearly and creatively – with imagery.

When writing a personal letter or essay: Write neatly (type). DO NOT use slang or text language! Write clearly and creatively – with imagery. Make information personal.

When writing a personal letter or essay (continued):

When writing a personal letter or essay (continued): Write to let them see who you are, not what you think they want to hear.

When writing a personal letter or essay (continued): Write to let them see who you are, not what you think they want to hear. Sound unique – try to hook them in with something they will remember.

After completing a letter or essay:

After completing a letter or essay: Proofread it.

After completing a letter or essay: Proofread it. Have an English teacher proofread it.

After completing a letter or essay: Proofread it. Have an English teacher proofread it. Do more than one draft. (You should have time, as you started early!)

After completing a letter or essay: Proofread it. Have an English teacher proofread it. Do more than one draft. (You should have time, as you started early!) Keep a copy.

When choosing references:

When choosing references: Pick someone who knows you well enough to write with an informed opinion.

When choosing references: Pick someone who knows you well enough to write with an informed opinion. Provide them with a resume.

When choosing references: Pick someone who knows you well enough to write with an informed opinion. Provide them with a resume. Give them adequate notice.

When choosing references: Pick someone who knows you well enough to write with an informed opinion. Provide them with a resume. Give them adequate notice. Do not “reference shop.”

When choosing references: Pick someone who knows you well enough to write with an informed opinion. Provide them with a resume. Give them adequate notice. Do not “reference shop.” Respect their conditions and expectations.

Need more help?

Need more help? Every Monday at lunch in A201

Need more help? Every Monday at lunch in A201 Bring in your application or essay.

Need more help? Every Monday at lunch in A201 Bring in your application or essay. I will give suggestions and constructive criticism.

Need more help? Every Monday at lunch in A201 Bring in your application or essay. I will give suggestions and constructive criticism. Bring it in well in advance of its due date so you have adequate time to make revisions.

GOOD LUCK!