1. SCHOLARSHIPS Isle of Wight County Schools CLASS OF 2015

2. Why apply for Scholarships? - TO SAVE MONEY! - College prices are high! - You can leave college with less debt - Even $500 can pay for books - There ARE scholarships for 4 year AND 2 year colleges

3. Where Do I Find Scholarship Information? - Isle of Wight County Schools Website: www.iwcs.k12.va.us Click on “Academics” Click on “Scholarships” - Posted on Ms. Addison’s Door in the Counseling Office - Listen to announcements - CHECK YOUR EMAIL! - Look on the websites of the colleges you are applying to

4. Where are the Scholarship applications? ONLINE! The link will be posted GUIDANCE OFFICE! Print outs will be in the office

5. Where do they go when I finish? One of these 3 places: 1. Submit online! 2. Mail to the specified address! 3. Turn them into the guidance office READ INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY!!

6. When Do I Look? ALL THE TIME! START NOW! Scholarship information will be updated as scholarship opportunities arise. KEEP CHECKING! LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS: Many are available February through May

7. PAY ATTENTION TO… DEADLINES!! Criteria for applicants ALL of the directions PROOFREAD! Scholarship committees may THROW OUT your hard work if it is not 100% complete with ALL components and ON TIME!

8. What do they WANT from me??? - Common components include… 1. Application 2. Transcript 3. Essay 4. List of extracurricular activities 5. Community Service 6. Awards 7. Letters of Recommendation

9. GIVE YOUR COUNSELORS AND RECOMMENDERS ADVANCED NOTICE FOR WRITING RECOMMENDATIONS! GIVE AT LEAST 1 WEEK IF YOU NEED A TRANSCRIPT! Make sure to fill out the TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM!

10. Who do I ask for a Recommendation? GIVE ADVANCE NOTICE! Provide your recommender with a written request Provide your recommender with a resume Know the scholarship when you’re choosing a recommender - Teacher - Community leader - Coach - Club Sponsor - Counselor

11. COMMON MISTAKES

12. INCLUDE ALL THE COMPONENTS THE SCHOLARSHIP REQUIRES

13. MAKE EVERYTHING AS NEAT AS POSSIBLE!

14. PROOFREAD

15. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!

16. REMEMBER! Scholarship sponsors think of scholarship recipients as a representation of their organization! Compose your application as if you are!