College is generally paid for by: * Private funds, i.e., the Bank of Parents/Relatives * Grants – based upon financial need * Loans * Work-Study * Scholarships

Your familys financial information is analyzed using the federal need formula. You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) which shows the expected family contribution (EFC). Your EFC is an indicator of your familys financial strength. It is sent to your state scholarship agency as well as to the colleges you listed on the FAFSA. They use this number to determine your financial aid award. Youll receive an award letter showing your financial package, which may consist of scholarships, grants, loans and work study. You can decline all or part of it. Youll need to report information about private scholarships youve been awarded to the universitys financial aid office. Your financial aid award may then be adjusted.

Dear Rufus D. Lion, We have reviewed your financial aid application for the upcoming academic year and are pleased to make the following offer of financial assistance: Your financial aid information was based on the following information: Cost of Attendance (COA) Tuition and Fees $31,400 Room and Board $ 8,500 Books and Supplies $ 1,000 Personal Expenses $ 2,500 Transportation $ 600 Total Cost of Attendance (COA)Total Cost of Attendance (COA) $44,000 Expected Family Contribution (EFC)Expected Family Contribution (EFC) $ 5,468 Calculated Financial Need Calculated Financial Need $38,532 To assist in covering your calculated financial need, you are offered the following financial assistance: Fall Spring Total Paws & Claws University Grant $ 10,000 $ 10,000 $20,000 ABC Restricted Scholarship $ 5,000 $ 5,000 $10,000 Subsidized Stafford Loan $ 1,750 $ 1,750 $ 3,500 Federal Work Study $ 1,500 $ 1,500 $ 3,000 Total Awards $ 18,250 $18,250 $36,500

College Local State National

Merit: Based upon academic index (grades, class rank, test scores, strength of transcript). Non-Merit: Examples: leadership, certain extracurricular activities, community service.

The most common type of scholarship. Check out a colleges website, catalog & financial aid materials for information on the scholarships it offers. Awards can be offered on a university-wide basis or within a particular college or major. Your college may automatically put your name in for its scholarships when you submit financial aid forms. Check with the financial aid officer to determine this. Apply early – first come, first serve Response dates for acceptance need to be observed.

Local Area businesses, churches, branches of organizations such as Kiwanis or Rotary. State These are for students who will attend college in Arizona. Examples include: Flinn Foundation Scholarship Wood Foundation Scholarship National Examples include: National Merit Scholarship Corporation Gates Millennium Scholars Intel Science Talent Search

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Complete your scholarship profile by completing the Google Docs form located in our Counseling link. The Red Mountain Scholarship Committee is asked to identify worthy students for scholarships from a variety of state and local programs and organizations. Your profile provides us with a snapshot of you – your goals, accomplishments, interests and more. We are looking for well-rounded individuals with a strong emphasis placed on academics, leadership in school, community or church, service learning, and extracurricular activities SCHOLARSHIP PROFILE

Set up a profile on at least one scholarship search site, such as It will search a national database of scholarships for you.

More Ways of Searching for $$$ Look for local scholarships on the librarys jobs and careers section Look in the coupon section of the newspaper Answer the optional questions on a scholarship matching service for twice as many matches Look for near-miss matches Pursue less competitive scholarships, such as small awards and essay contests, since they are easier to win, the money adds up and they help you win bigger scholarships

Start your research early. Read eligibility requirements carefully. Get organized Make a separate file for each scholarship and sort the files by application due dates. You should also gather the items youll need to apply. Youll need some or all of the following: High school transcript PSAT, ACT, SAT scores AP Scores Resume of your accomplishments, including extracurricular activities, awards, etc. Financial aid forms, such as the FAFSAFAFSA Parents' financial information, including tax returns One or more essays One or more letters of recommendation Proof of eligibility for the scholarship (for example, proof of membership in a certain group) You might also need to prepare for an interview. And if youre competing for talent- based scholarships, youll probably need to audition or submit a portfolio. Dont miss deadlines Some scholarships have deadlines early in the fall of senior year. Mark the due dates on your calendar and work your way backward to figure out how much time youll have to get each piece of the application finished.

Practice on a copy of the application form. Tailor your application to the sponsors goals. Make sure you filled in all the blanks. You can contact scholarship sponsors if you aren't sure how to fill out part of the application. Make sure your answers are legible. If you can, fill out the application online. If you have to write out the application, print neatly. If you're reusing material (such as a cover letter or an essay) from another scholarship application, make sure you haven't left in any incorrect names. Proofread your application. Run spell check and grammar check on the application. Also, have someone else read your essays to catch mistakes and give you feedback. Remember to sign and date your application. Use a professional address, such as Clean up the content of your Facebook account, removing inappropriate and immature material Google your name to see what shows up Make a photocopy of your application before mailing it Send the application by certified mail, return receipt requested or with delivery confirmation If rejected, ask for the reviewer comments

Most 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 dont qualify Failing to apply for an award for which you are eligible Failing to tailor the application to the sponsor Writing a boring essay

Writing the essay Stick to the word limit for the essay. If supporting materials are not requested in the application, dont send them. Answer the essay question orally and transcribe the recording Use an outline to organize your thoughts Give examples and be specific Personalize your essay and be passionate Write about something of interest to you Talk about your impact on other people Proofread a printed copy of the essay for spelling and grammar errors

Tips for Letters of Recommendation Ha-Ha & No-No! Two to three are generally required. Develop relationships with your teachers, counselor and other key people who know you, i.e., coaches and volunteer supervisors. Allow them to truly get to know you – your character, your strengths and your accomplishments. Ask the recommender if he/she can write you a great letter of recommendation. Provide the recommender with either Letter of Rec Questionnaire (available in Counseling) and/or resume which includes potential college major/future plans. Also provide print-outs of AP, PSAT, SAT & ACT scores. The recommendation should be relevant to the scholarship sponsors goal.

Acing the Scholarship Interview Practice, practice, practice Videotape a mock interview and review the recording afterward Wear appropriate business attire Visit the restroom before the interview Brush your teeth and wear deodorant Arrive 15 minutes early Pay attention to the interviewers name Be polite and send a thank you note afterward

After You Win a Scholarship Understand your colleges outside scholarship policy and seek adjustments to the cost of attendance or defer a scholarship if necessary If your scholarship is renewable, review the requirements for retaining eligibility Tell the scholarship sponsors when you win a major award or other recognition Understand the taxability of your scholarships – Amounts for tuition, fees, books, supplies tax-free – Amounts for room and board, transportation and other living expenses are taxable

Case: Jamie is awarded a merit scholarship for U of A for nearly the full cost of tuition. She also is awarded several other scholarships through U of As College of Engineering, her fathers company and some private foundations. This is an example of stacking – multiple scholarships that may cover a good portion of the estimated cost of attendance. You are required to report to the schools financial aid office any scholarships outside of the merit scholarship youve received. The university may then choose to adjust your financial aid award. Stacking Scholarships

Beware of Scholarship Scams If you have to pay money to get money, it is probably a scam Never invest more than a postage stamp to get information about scholarships or to apply for a scholarship Nobody can guarantee that youll win 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

Top Ten Most Prestigious Scholarships 1.Marshall Scholarships 2.Rhodes Scholarship 3.Winston Churchill Scholarship Program 4.Harry S. Truman Scholarships 5.Henry Luce Foundation Scholarship 6.Morris K. Udall Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships 7.Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program 8.Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship 9.Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest 10.National Merit Scholarship Corporation

Top Ten Most Generous Scholarships 1.Intel Science Talent Search 2.Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology 3.NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program 4.Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Competition 5.Davidson Fellows 6.Intel International Science and Engineering Fair 7.Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships 8.Collegiate Inventors Competition 9.Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship 10.Gates Millennium Scholars

Top Ten Scholarships for Age 13 and Under 1.National Spelling Bee 2.National Geography Bee 3.National History Day Contest 4.Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest 5.Scholastic Art & Writing Awards 6.Christopher Columbus Community Service Awards 7.Dick Blick Linoleum Block Print Contest 8.Gloria Barron Prize for Your Heroes 9.Patriots Pen 10.Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

Top Ten Scholarships for Community Service 1.Segal AmeriCorps Education Award 2.The Do Something Awards 3.Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship 4.Discover Card Tribute Award 5.Echoing Green Fellowship 6.The Heart of America Christopher Reeve Award 7.Kohls Kids Who Care Program 8.Samuel Huntington Public Service Award 9.National Caring Award 10.Youth Action Net

Top Ten Scholarships that Dont Need an A 1.US Department of Education 2.AXA Achievement Scholarship Program 3.Horatio Alger Association Scholarships 4.Ayn Rand Institute 5.Girls Going Places Scholarship 6.Holocaust Remembrance Project Essay Contest 7.Americanism Essay Contest 8.AFSA National Scholarship Essay Contest 9.Red Vines Drawing Contest 10.Community Foundation Scholarships

Top Ten Most Unusual Scholarships 1.Scholarship for Left-Handed Students 2.Duck Brand Duct Tape Stuck at Prom Contest 3.David Letterman Telecommunications Scholarship 4.Zolp Scholarships 5.Patrick Kerr Skateboard Scholarship 6.Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year Award 7.National Marbles Tournament Scholarships 8.Klingon Language Institute Scholarship 9.National Beef Ambassador Program 10.Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship 11.Zombie Apocalypse Scholarship