Searching for Scholarships Stephanie Conrad – Private Scholarship Director Office of Admissions and Financial Aid University of Arkansas at Little Rock

Searching for Scholarships You will find out how to: –prepare for the scholarship application process –apply for scholarships –win scholarships

Searching for Scholarships You and your financial aid office –Create a relationship with the financial aid advisors –Use prepared electronic resources –Review website and for updates

Scholarship Search Tips Create a portfolio Use the web Apply for small scholarships Avoid mistakes Stay organized Never stop searching

Develop your Personal Brand Write your story Key themes Inventory –Interests –Activities –Memberships –Community Service

Create your Scholarship Resume Education & Scholastic Achievement Experience, Training, and Employment Honors, Awards, Membership Leadership and Community Service Extra-curricular Activities Career Ambition: Statement of Goals References or Reference Letters

Sample Essay Topics Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you. Discuss an issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you. Explain your career goals and your plans for achieving them.

Essay Tips Overcoming challenges Highlight accomplishments Think of the donor Make it personal Proofread!

Sources for Scholarships College advisors Local businesses, churches, and community service organizations Local public libraries Employers and associations Business and industry

Web Searching Over 32 million options with “scholarships” Refine your search –Use your personal brand key words Find 100 scholarships in a weekend –Put the application deadlines in a calendar –Apply for scholarships 1 hour an evening

Scholarship Information Remember that for every ten scholarship you apply for…you will receive one.

Arkansas Department of Higher Education Funding

How to Apply On-line YOUniversal application is available online at Students must complete the FAFSA Deadline for most programs is June 1st

General Eligibility Requirements US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident Arkansas Resident Attend an Arkansas Institution No Income Requirement Complete both the YOUniversal Application and FAFSA

UALR Private Scholarships Application is available after January 1 st. Forms can be completed online was Application deadline is March 1 st Essay is required

Local Scholarship Resources Arkansas Community Foundation Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Pulaski County Phyllis Keltner Scholarship for Women

Avoid Scholarship Scams Anything with a required fee Asking for non-relevant personal information Guaranteed scholarship Receiving letters of potential scholarship you never applied for Free seminars with an up-sell

Scholarship Scams

What pays? Good grades Stay involved Good writing skills Stay organized Persistence

Never Give Up. Never. Never. Never. Never. In nothing, great or small, large or petty, never give up. Winston Churchill Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Commencement Speech Harvard University, 1941