1. Nancy Oliveira Career Counselor noliveira@helenaschools.org
SCHOLARSHIPS
Nancy Oliveira
Career Counselor

2. TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS 1. Merit (academic record) 2. Financial Need
3. Talent (athletic, music, art, etc.)

3. SCHOLARSHIPS BASICS Apply, Apply, Apply! Small amounts add up!
But, don’t pay to apply!
You don’t have to accept it!
Pay attention to the details: In-state only? Tuition only? Post-marked by or received by deadline? Renewable?
Follow the instructions!
Oftentimes, whether or not an applicant followed the instructions is the first level of
screening. Don’t give them more than what they request!

4. SCHOLARSHIP CHECKLIST
SCHOLARSHIP NAME
DEADLINE
(Received
or Postmarked)
APPLICATION
(Online
Or Paper)
ESSAY
LETTERS OF REC
(# Needed)
TRANSCRIPT
(Official
Or Unofficial)
DATE SUBMITTED
AWARD

5. ELEMENTS OF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
1. Application Form
2. Transcript
3. Letters of Recommendation
4. Essays
5. Activities/Awards/Service Resume
6. Financial Information
7. Display of talent; interview; picture

6. ELEMENTS OF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
*Contact information
 create a professional account for
applications (college & scholarships)
*GPA, Class Rank
 keep an unofficial transcript for easy
access to this information; don’t guess!
*Activities and Awards

7. ELEMENTS OF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
2. Transcript
 Unofficial: a printout of your academic record
 Official: signed, stamped, sealed, initials
 Part of the application packet or mailed
directly?
 Request transcripts in the counseling office

8. ELEMENTS OF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
3. Letters of Recommendation
 Choose wisely! Pick authors who know you
well on a variety of levels.
 Choose a variety of authors (teachers,
coaches, community members)
 Ask now; they need time!
 Give them information about you! The
counseling office has forms you can use.

9. ELEMENTS OF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
4. Essays
 Your essay can make or break you!
 Follow the instructions for format and topic!
 Ask your teachers to edit!
 Re-use your essays when appropriate
 Common topic: career and college goals

10. ELEMENTS OF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
5. Activities/Awards/Service Resume
 Be thorough; useful to have so put it
together now!
6. Financial Information
 Copy of tax return
 FAFSA information
7. Display of talent; interview; picture

11. EXAMPLES OF SCHOLARSHIPS
HHS
David Strong Memorial Scholarship (3 CTE credits)
Darwin L. Simac Memorial Scholarship (financial need; MT school)
Jack Cohn Memorial Scholarship (1 varsity activity)
Elwell-Leger (transcript & essay)
Shawn Moothart Memorial Scholarship (pursuing trades)
Cleve A. Malmstrom Memorial Scholarship (football, track & GPA)

12. EXAMPLES OF SCHOLARSHIPS
LOCAL
Wyatt Winfield Memorial Scholarship (pursuing trades)
Angel Fund (financial need)
Joseph “Joey” McKeon Memorial Scholarship (swimming)
Helena Lions Clubs
Helena Moose Lodge
Soroptimist Club
Lewis & Clark Republican Women
Last Chance Audubon Society
Employers
Many others!

13. EXAMPLES OF SCHOLARSHIPS
STATE
Montana Community Foundation (many scholarships)
Horatio Alger Montana
 October 15th-December 15th
Youth Serve Montana (use in MT; 100 hours of community service)
Montana University System (Honors, Governor’s Best & Brightest, STEM)
 December 1st – March 15th
2+2 (merit; graduates of 2-year schools transferring to a 4-yr school)
Institution Scholarships (Merit based)

14. University of Montana’s MAA Scholarship Grid

15. EXAMPLES OF SCHOLARSHIPS
REGIONAL/NATIONAL
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
Coca-Cola Scholars
Questbridge National College Match
Horatio Alger
JFK Profiles in Courage Essay Contest
Thousands more….

16. HOW TO FIND SCHOLARSHIPS
Your college/university
Helena High School Scholarship List (online and paper copy available for student pick-up)
Many institutions will offer scholarships to new students so check out their financial aid webpage
(code: RHM406$)

19. Nancy Oliveira Career Counselor noliveira@helenaschools.org
SCHOLARSHIPS
Nancy Oliveira
Career Counselor