1. Marian Kendrick College Access Fairfax

2. Basic Information Merit- based vs. Need-based Awards Merit- based vs. Need-based Awards Why should you apply? Why should you apply? When should you apply? When should you apply? Not all scholarships are offered every year – need to do continuous research of what is available Not all scholarships are offered every year – need to do continuous research of what is available What are your chances of receiving merit aid? What are your chances of receiving merit aid? Will receiving a merit scholarship impact your financial aid award? Will receiving a merit scholarship impact your financial aid award?

3. More Basic Information Like the lottery, you have to “play” to win Like the lottery, you have to “play” to win There is no magic formula There is no magic formula Look for local opportunities Look for local opportunities Likelihood of receiving an award Likelihood of receiving an award Amount of effort put into the application Amount of effort put into the application Academic Profile Academic Profile Curriculum/Course Rigor Curriculum/Course Rigor Grades Grades Extracurricular Profile Extracurricular Profile Quality of Involvement Quality of Involvement Quantity of Involvement Quantity of Involvement Is there a running theme for involvement? Is there a running theme for involvement? The Application The Application Relevance/Quality of Essay Relevance/Quality of Essay Choice of College Major Choice of College Major

4. College Specific Scholarships Applicable only to specific school – look at individual school’s Financial Office/Scholarship website Applicable only to specific school – look at individual school’s Financial Office/Scholarship website Nomination may be required – what is your high school’s procedure for securing nominations Nomination may be required – what is your high school’s procedure for securing nominations Types of awards: Types of awards: Academic Merit Academic Merit Talent or Specific Skill Talent or Specific Skill Community Service Community Service Leadership Leadership Major/Departmental Awards Major/Departmental Awards ROTC ROTC Need Need First Generation/Special Circumstances First Generation/Special Circumstances Athletic Athletic Renewable? Renewable? Specified GPA may be required Specified GPA may be required

5. Generic Scholarships Applicable to any college/university Applicable to any college/university May or may not be renewable May or may not be renewable Award determined for a variety of reasons Award determined for a variety of reasons Academic Merit Academic Merit Talent or Specific Skill Talent or Specific Skill Community Involvement Community Involvement Leadership Leadership Major Major First Generation First Generation Special Circumstances Special Circumstances Need Need

6. Where can you find scholarship? Work with your school’s College and Career Center Specialist Work with your school’s College and Career Center Specialist Individual College Websites for college/university-based scholarships Individual College Websites for college/university-based scholarships Scholarship search engines/web sites Scholarship search engines/web sites Fastweb Fastweb Mach 25 Mach 25 Merit Aid Merit Aid Free 4-U.com Free 4-U.com InternationalScholarships.com InternationalScholarships.com FCPS Family Connection Scholarship Database FCPS Family Connection Scholarship Database Local Community Organizations Local Community Organizations Check with your College and Career Center Check with your College and Career Center Places of employment Places of employment Google Google Search on “scholarships for high school students” or a similar phrase Search on “scholarships for high school students” or a similar phrase

7. Making Yourself Competitive Start now! Start now! Scholarship criteria – do you fit the profile? Scholarship criteria – do you fit the profile? Read and follow the directions closely Read and follow the directions closely Tailor your application to the specific scholarship Tailor your application to the specific scholarship Create a professional looking resume/activities sheet Create a professional looking resume/activities sheet Write one strong essay which can be tweaked to fit more than one application Write one strong essay which can be tweaked to fit more than one application Have recommenders on hand early Have recommenders on hand early Proofread everything Proofread everything Grammar and spelling are critical Grammar and spelling are critical If applicable, practice for interviews If applicable, practice for interviews

8. Myths Only top academic students win scholarship. Only top academic students win scholarship. Only big, name-brand scholarships are worth applying for. Only big, name-brand scholarships are worth applying for. You must be a senior to apply. You must be a senior to apply. You must know where you will be applying/attending college before looking for scholarships. You must know where you will be applying/attending college before looking for scholarships. All scholarship opportunities protect personal information – beware of “lottery” type scholarship offers All scholarship opportunities protect personal information – beware of “lottery” type scholarship offers No one ever wins – why apply? No one ever wins – why apply?

9. Final Thoughts Take time to prepare Take time to prepare Do your research Do your research Give thoughtful consideration to your selection Give thoughtful consideration to your selection Lesser value scholarships may be easier to win Lesser value scholarships may be easier to win Beware of Scholarship Scams Beware of Scholarship Scams Never pay to apply for a scholarship Never pay to apply for a scholarship Never provide your credit card or bank account information Never provide your credit card or bank account information Don’t procrastinate – Apply Early!!! Don’t procrastinate – Apply Early!!!

10. Questions?