1. Scholarships 101 Leigh Ann Brown, Sheri Crigger and Nancy Wolfe HCS District College Counselors

2. HCS District College Counselors
Leigh Ann Brown
Huntsville and Jemison
Sheri Crigger
Grissom and Lee
Nancy Wolfe
Columbia and New Century

3. Financial Aid Scholarships Grants Loans Work Study
* Reminder: FAFSA is open for 12th graders at Submit your application for
In Item B, if this is the first time you are taking an AP Exam, print your legal name, last name first. Otherwise, print the name you used on previous answer sheets. Below each box, fill in the oval with the corresponding letter and then check each filled-in oval to make sure it is the correct one

4. Be willing to accept these truths:
Searching for scholarships requires
significant time and effort.
There are no guaranteed outcomes with competitive scholarships.
There are no scholarships for being a “good
kid”.
In Item B, if this is the first time you are taking an AP Exam, print your legal name, last name first. Otherwise, print the name you used on previous answer sheets. Below each box, fill in the oval with the corresponding letter and then check each filled-in oval to make sure it is the correct one

5. Sources of Scholarships
College
Military
National Organizations
Local Organizations
In Item B, if this is the first time you are taking an AP Exam, print your legal name, last name first. Otherwise, print the name you used on previous answer sheets. Below each box, fill in the oval with the corresponding letter and then check each filled-in oval to make sure it is the correct one

6. Scholarships from the College
Merit (GPA/ACT)
Performance (fine arts & athletics)
Departmental
Other
In Item B, if this is the first time you are taking an AP Exam, print your legal name, last name first. Otherwise, print the name you used on previous answer sheets. Below each box, fill in the oval with the corresponding letter and then check each filled-in oval to make sure it is the correct one

7. Merit Scholarships from the College
Some colleges consider academic merit scholarships to be “automatic”. If you are accepted to the college and meet the requirements for ACT/GPA, you will receive the scholarship.
Some colleges require a separate scholarship application for merit scholarships or competitive scholarships (AU, UA, UAB, UAH, Calhoun, etc.)
December is the deadline at many colleges!
In Item B, if this is the first time you are taking an AP Exam, print your legal name, last name first. Otherwise, print the name you used on previous answer sheets. Below each box, fill in the oval with the corresponding letter and then check each filled-in oval to make sure it is the correct one

8. How can I find out about Merit Scholarships from the College?
Search the Scholarship page on the college
website
Talk with admissions/financial aid advisors
from the college
Read information received by mail/
You will receive an offer from the
college only AFTER you are admitted
In Item B, if this is the first time you are taking an AP Exam, print your legal name, last name first. Otherwise, print the name you used on previous answer sheets. Below each box, fill in the oval with the corresponding letter and then check each filled-in oval to make sure it is the correct one

9. Deadlines Do I have to submit multiple applications?
Where can I find the deadline for scholarships?
What is a “priority deadline”?
What is the last ACT/SAT score I can submit for scholarships?
In Item B, if this is the first time you are taking an AP Exam, print your legal name, last name first. Otherwise, print the name you used on previous answer sheets. Below each box, fill in the oval with the corresponding letter and then check each filled-in oval to make sure it is the correct one

10. Merit Scholarships from the College
Example: University of Alabama at Birmingham (
GPA
ACT
Scholarship Award
3.5 or higher
30 – 36
Tuition + fees ($10,710)
27 – 29
$8,000
3.0 – 3.49
24 – 26
$4,000
20 – 23
$2,500
In Item B, if this is the first time you are taking an AP Exam, print your legal name, last name first. Otherwise, print the name you used on previous answer sheets. Below each box, fill in the oval with the corresponding letter and then check each filled-in oval to make sure it is the correct one

11. Merit Scholarships from the College
Example: Alabama A& M University
*Heritage Awards based on results of FAFSA as well as merit (GPA & Test scores). There are a limited number of awards.
GPA
ACT
Heritage Awards
2.5 – 2.99
17-22
$1,500
3.0 – 3.24
$3,500
3.25 or higher
$5,000
Merit Scholarship Award 23
$16,500 (full tuition)
3.75 or higher 28
$36,000 (tuition+ room + board + books)
In Item B, if this is the first time you are taking an AP Exam, print your legal name, last name first. Otherwise, print the name you used on previous answer sheets. Below each box, fill in the oval with the corresponding letter and then check each filled-in oval to make sure it is the correct one

12. The same student may receive very different awards at different colleges:
Student GPA 3.45 & ACT 32
College
Merit Scholarship
Notes
Calhoun
Varies
Competitive
AAMU
$16,500
Auburn $0 UA
UAH
$4,810
UAB
$8,000
UNA
Samford
Private college
Mississippi State
$14,000
Out-of-state college
In Item B, if this is the first time you are taking an AP Exam, print your legal name, last name first. Otherwise, print the name you used on previous answer sheets. Below each box, fill in the oval with the corresponding letter and then check each filled-in oval to make sure it is the correct one

13. The same student may receive very different awards at different colleges:
Student GPA 3.00 & ACT 22
College
Merit Scholarship
Notes
Calhoun
Varies
Competitive
AAMU
$3,500
Auburn $0 UA
UAH
UAB
UNA
$2,000
Samford
Private college
Mississippi State
Out-of-state college
In Item B, if this is the first time you are taking an AP Exam, print your legal name, last name first. Otherwise, print the name you used on previous answer sheets. Below each box, fill in the oval with the corresponding letter and then check each filled-in oval to make sure it is the correct one

14. Performance Scholarships
Fine Arts (band, theater, visual arts, etc.)
Participation vs. Major
Athletic
In Item B, if this is the first time you are taking an AP Exam, print your legal name, last name first. Otherwise, print the name you used on previous answer sheets. Below each box, fill in the oval with the corresponding letter and then check each filled-in oval to make sure it is the correct one

15. Departmental Scholarships
Offered by various departments on campus
Examples – Engineering, Nursing, Business,
Music, etc.
Check the department page on the college
website for details
Some of these scholarships are only available to
upperclassmen who have declared a major.
In Item B, if this is the first time you are taking an AP Exam, print your legal name, last name first. Otherwise, print the name you used on previous answer sheets. Below each box, fill in the oval with the corresponding letter and then check each filled-in oval to make sure it is the correct one

16. Other Scholarships from the College
Leadership
Special Programs such as “Ambassadors”
Need-based grants
First-Generation
Foundation
In Item B, if this is the first time you are taking an AP Exam, print your legal name, last name first. Otherwise, print the name you used on previous answer sheets. Below each box, fill in the oval with the corresponding letter and then check each filled-in oval to make sure it is the correct one

17. Sample Scholarship Page on College Website

18. Military Scholarships
ROTC
Service Academies
In Item B, if this is the first time you are taking an AP Exam, print your legal name, last name first. Otherwise, print the name you used on previous answer sheets. Below each box, fill in the oval with the corresponding letter and then check each filled-in oval to make sure it is the correct one

19. Local Scholarships Offered by a business or organization
Usually $500 or $1000
One-time vs. renewable
Criteria varies – be willing to search
Competitive
List is available in Naviance under the “Colleges” tab
In Item B, if this is the first time you are taking an AP Exam, print your legal name, last name first. Otherwise, print the name you used on previous answer sheets. Below each box, fill in the oval with the corresponding letter and then check each filled-in oval to make sure it is the correct one

20. Scholarship Info in Naviance

21. What the list looks like in Naviance…

22. Tips for a Strong Scholarship Application
Develop your resume. Naviance Resume
Builder tool is available.
Most scholarships require an essay. Get someone
to proofread your essay before submitting.
Give teachers plenty of time to write
recommendations
Follow directions
Submit your best work
Keep up with Deadlines!
In Item B, if this is the first time you are taking an AP Exam, print your legal name, last name first. Otherwise, print the name you used on previous answer sheets. Below each box, fill in the oval with the corresponding letter and then check each filled-in oval to make sure it is the correct one

23. Searching for Scholarships Online
Be prepared to invest time in “research” for scholarships for which you qualify
Scholly app for Android and Apple devices
National college search on Naviance through Sallie Mae
In Item B, if this is the first time you are taking an AP Exam, print your legal name, last name first. Otherwise, print the name you used on previous answer sheets. Below each box, fill in the oval with the corresponding letter and then check each filled-in oval to make sure it is the correct one

24. *** Please complete the survey before you leave! ***
Reminders:
Be mindful of deadlines!
Keep up with all paperwork from colleges
Send copies of scholarship offers to your Counselor
Scholarships from the college must be accepted or declined by May 1
*** Please complete the survey before you leave! ***
In Item B, if this is the first time you are taking an AP Exam, print your legal name, last name first. Otherwise, print the name you used on previous answer sheets. Below each box, fill in the oval with the corresponding letter and then check each filled-in oval to make sure it is the correct one