2. Matthew J. Miranda M.Ed. Guadalupe County Extension Agent: 4-H & Youth Development

3. Useful Tools  Resources to help prepare you for scholarship opportunities:  Scholarship Applications & Instructions  4-H Records  Scholastic Records (grades, test scores, etc.)  Family’s Financial Records  Time - DON’T WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE

4. Internet Resources  Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - http://www.fafsa.ed.gov (this is your key to most college financing) http://www.fafsa.ed.gov  College for Texans - http://www.collegefortexans.comhttp://www.collegefortexans.com  Fastweb - http://www.fastweb.comhttp://www.fastweb.com  Making College Financial Planning Count - http://elearning.makingitcount.com http://elearning.makingitcount.com  Compendium of Texas Colleges and Financial Aid Calendar - http://www.everychanceeverytexan.org/about/scholars http://www.everychanceeverytexan.org/about/scholars  Scholarship Help - http://www.scholarshiphelp.orghttp://www.scholarshiphelp.org

5. Completing Applications  Brainstorm and gather information before you start the application  Tough to go back while you are filling it out  Read and follow instructions/directions CAREFULLY!  Proof-read and have others review and critique  Complete all sections – Not Applicable means NO SCORE!  Emphasize quality – as well quantity!  Think about your application from a judge’s point of view

6. Completing Applications  High school counselors need time to collect official transcripts for submission  So ask early!  Make sure high school academic proficiency has been met, and college entrance exams have been taken early and often  Narratives that have only been written once are rarely effective  Printer problems and computer crashes are a fact-of-life, plan ahead and manage your time  Start early, and edit often

7. Letters of Recommendation  Show that people respect your skills and accomplishments, and are willing to say so in writing and sign their names  Consider teachers in classes where you did well, also:  athletic coaches  club advisors  volunteer work supervisors  Employers  religious leaders  friends of the family who are familiar with you and hold a position that lends credibility to the recommendation such as the family’s attorney, your doctor or a local businessman

8. Letters of Recommendation  Review scholarship directions for specifics about letters (example: 2 letters, 1 from teacher and 1 from community member)  May be able to use the same letter of recommendation for multiple applications  Each letter should be addressed to a specific individual or scholarship fund  Have writer use official letterhead, if possible  After you receive the letter, write a thank you note

9. Requesting Letters of Recommendation  Recognize that writing a letter of recommendation is not a simple task  ASK!! It’s not anyone’s “job” to write these letters, so ask and appreciate!  Provide the writer with details on the scholarship and what they donor is looking for in a letter  Give your letter writers plenty of time to write  Ask Early!  Respect and appreciate letter writers because they provide letters to support you and your effort to continue your education

10. Preparing for Interviews  Dress for success  Learn about the organization you are interviewing with  Review suggested questions  Be aware of current events  Practice and record yourself

11. Available Scholarships Variety of applications available from the Extension office, many of which can be provided to you or downloaded from our websites: –http://guadalupe.agrilife.org See school counselors for additional scholarship opportunities Following is some information about scholarship application packets available from our office...You must be enrolled in 4-H to obtain!

12. Co. 4-H Adult Leaders & Parents Association 4, $200 scholarships (This may change) Application-based Selection based on participation in 4-H projects, activities, leadership, character and scholastic record Deadline - April 1, 2012

13. Co. Pecan Promotions Committee 1 $500 scholarship Application and possible interview Selection based on participation in ag activities, academics, community service, and personal interview Deadline - April 1, 2012 Last Scholarship From the Committee

14. Gus Person Scholarship 1, $250 scholarship Application and possible interview Selection based on participation in 4-H, FFA or FCCLA activities, academics, community service and a 10-15 minute interview Deadline - April 1, 2012

15. Bartoskewitz Farm Foundation Scholarship 1, $1,000 scholarship Application Selection based on participation in 4-H activities, academics and community service Deadline - April 1, 2012

16. Wade Busby Memorial Up to 10, $500 scholarships Application Actively enrolled in 4-H or FFA Students ranked 1 st and 2 nd are ineligible Must have participated in the Guadalupe County Youth Show, La Vernia Junior Livestock Show, Bexar County Junior Livestock Show or Wilson County Junior Livestock Show for at least 2 years “B” average Deadline – April 1, 2012?

17. Co. Extension Education Association 1, $500 scholarship Copy of completed Texas 4-H Foundation Scholarship application and possible interview Criteria: –4-H projects, activities & leadership50 pts. –Scholastic record50 pts. Deadline – February 3, 2012

18. District 10 Extension Education Association 1, $1,000 scholarship Submit 4-H Recordbook, transcript and application Criteria: –Completed or be in 3 rd year of 4-H –Leadership and personal development through 4-H –Only 1 entry per county may be submitted Deadline – February 15, 2012 (to County because district deadline is March 1)

19. Texas Extension Education Association, Inc. – Alumnae Young Adult 1, $500 scholarship Open to former 4-H members between ages of 19 and 24 or son/daughter/grandchild of a current TEEA member Application Deadline – April 1, 2012

20. Luling Foundation - Agriculture 1, $1,000 scholarship Application and possible interview Requirements: –Pursue ag or related degree (BS), to include a degree program in an accredited trade or vocational school with approved programs in ag –Resident of Guadalupe County Deadline - March 31, 2012

21. Luling Foundation – Grainger Weston Ag 1, $1,000 scholarship Application and possible interview Requirements: –Pursue ag or related degree (BS), to include a degree program in an accredited trade or vocational school with approved programs in ag –Marion High School Deadline - March 31, 2012

22. Luling Foundation - Healthcare 1, $250 scholarship Application and possible interview Criteria: –Pursue healthcare or related degree, to include a degree program in an accredited trade or vocational school with approved programs in healthcare Deadline - March 31, 2012

23. Co. Youth Livestock and Homemakers Show 4, $500 scholarships Application and personal interview Selection priorities: –30% Youth Show participation –20% interview –10% each class rank, SAT/ACT score, leadership roles, community service, and honors/awards Deadline – April 1, 2012

24. Guadalupe Co. Fair Association 4, $500 scholarships Application and possible interview For students enrolled in agricultural or livestock studies Guadalupe County Fair involvement, leadership, community service and honors/awards Deadline - March 15, 2012

25. Guadalupe Valley Pecan Classic Number and amount of scholarships vary annually Application Must have exhibited steers/heifers at Pecan Classic for at least 2 years Deadline - April ?, 2012

26. Guadalupe Valley Electric Cooperative Several $1,000 scholarships Application Selection priorities: –parents/guardians must be GVEC customers/members Deadline – March 1, 2012

27. Texas Cattlewomen & Ivomec Generations of Excellence Intern Program $1,000 scholarship For college students pursuing careers in the fields of food and nutrition, agriculture communication or hotel restaurant management On-line application Deadline – January 16, 2012 http://www.txcattlewomen.org

28. Texas Cattlewomen Pat Grote Memorial 1, $500 scholarship For high school senior Application Deadline – January 16, 2012 http://www.txcattlewomen.org

29. Texas Cattlewomen Collegiate 4, $1,000 scholarships For sophomore-senior level in a 4-year college or university Application Deadline - January 16, 2012 http://www.txcattlewomen.org

30. Texas Big Game Awards Wildlife Conservation 8, $1,500 and 1, $3,000 scholarships Open to entering college freshman, sophomore or junior pursuing any field of study Recipients must attend his/her Regional TBGA Banquet to receive their scholarship Application Selection based on point-scale scoring system and each application will be reviewed and ranked by a statewide scoring committee Deadline – Postmarked by March 1, 2012

31. Texas Section Society for Range Management $1,000 scholarships Application Criteria: –Major in Range Management or a related ag field Deadline - April 30, 2012