1. 1 The Search for Scholarships 6:00, Thurs., Nov. 5 2015 GOALS : Understand the basics about scholarships Learn how to find scholarship opportunities Know how to apply for awards Maximize your potential for getting scholarships Get your questions answered!

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3. 3 a cramping and oppressive lack of resources (i.e. money) Definition of PENURY:

4. 4 SCHOLARSHIP BASICS Financial Aid 101 How is financial need determined? -Families provide financial data through FAFSA/Profile -The EFC (Expected Family Contribution) is calculated -The difference between college cost and EFC determines the amount of need What kinds of aid make up a financial aid package? - Grants (free $, usually need-based) - Loans (must be paid back) - Work Study (payment for a campus job) - Scholarships

5. 5 SCHOLARSHIP BASICS “Sticker Price” vs. “Out-of-Pocket Cost” Students could have a lower or manageable “out-of-pocket” cost at a school with a higher “sticker price” because:  Higher need will exist at a higher cost school, and financial aid is proportional  Less popular, less competitive, and smaller schools may give more money  Private schools might have more money to give away  Larger endowment schools give less merit aid and more need-based aid  Some schools guarantee loan-free packages (some are “568” schools) – Davidson, Amherst, Williams

6. 6 SCHOLARSHIP BASICS Criteria, Types, & Sources of Scholarships Criteria: Need-based vs. Merit/Skill-based Types:  Local / Regional / State / National  Nomination-based / Open application  Renewable / Non-renewable  Contingency-based (dependent on GPA, service, etc…)  Could be terminated  Could require payback (i.e. “scholarship loans”) Sources:  Federal, State, Local Government  Colleges/Universities  Private organizations

7. 7 SCHOLARSHIP BASICS What scholarships CAN and CAN’T do: Scholarship money can:  Lower your unmet need  Decrease loan amounts  Decrease the need for work/study  Lead to a decrease in other scholarships/grants Scholarship money cannot:  Diminish the EFC (Estimated Family Contribution), unless that’s all that’s left of college costs  Provide personal profit above the cost of education (sum of awards cannot exceed college cost)

8. $20,000(Cost of attendance) -$8,000(EFC) $12,000(Amount of need) - Aid package offered: $4,000Loans $4,000Grants $2,000Institutional Scholarships $2,000Work study If a student earns $5,000 in “outside” scholarships, a student will likely be able to use it by replacing the loans, and cutting the work study hours in half (the EFC would stay at $8,000 unless nothing else was left to cut). A $12,000 award would likely replace the aid package, IF the award is sent directly to the school and not to you. 8 SCHOLARSHIP BASICS Example: How a scholarship affects college cost at one specific school

9. 9 HOW TO FIND SCHOLARSHIPS Use a variety of resources Browse individual college websites for scholarships offered institutionally Browse websites and search programs (College Board, CFNC, FastWeb, etc….) for scholarships that can be used at any college GOOGLE for scholarships  Don’t give up easily  Spend time weeding through options and following links Review your school’s (and OTHER schools’!) newsletter, website, etc… (know how your school advertises opportunities)– Student Services page, “Seniors” page, etc... Notify your counselor of interest in awards for which nomination is required

10. 10 HOW TO FIND SCHOLARSHIPS Ask questions & make phone calls STUDENTS (not parents) should make these contacts! CALL the college admissions or financial aid office when:  You can’t find any info about their scholarships (inability to find them doesn‘t mean they don’t exist!)  You want advice on how to make finances work out after you’ve received your aid package CALL or EMAIL the sponsoring organization if:  A deadline date is not listed for a scholarship found online (to be sure the competition is not outdated)  The scholarship instructions or eligibility requirements are unclear (failing to follow instructions can lead to disqualification)

11. 11 HOW TO FIND SCHOLARSHIPS Be realistic in your approach Expect to spend time/effort searching Know that no one can give you a personalized list of scholarships for which you should apply Increase your odds by applying for many awards (multiple “small” awards can add up!) Narrow your focus to awards for which you qualify (eligibility exceptions are rarely made) Be aware of scams or marketing ploys  Avoid application fees or consultation fees  Watch for red flags (i.e. “guaranteed” awards, awards to colleges you haven’t applied to, etc…)  Educate yourself (Google “Federal Trade Commission Scholarship Scams”)

12. 12 HOW TO FIND SCHOLARSHIPS Use strategy and creativity Apply for many locally sponsored scholarships, for which the applicant pool is smaller (often surprisingly small!) Consider military scholarship options Consider application to smaller, private, lesser known schools that might offer more aid Keep an open mind to “labor-intensive” applications  Less students want to apply when a complex application is involved  A good writer can have a great edge in competing when essays are required Remember that you can still apply for new scholarships AFTER enrolling in college

13. 13 Get out your smartphones and follow along!! -Google “ADHD Scholarships” -Click on “Shire 2014 ADHD Scholarship Program” -Click on “United States” -Find the application deadline -Click “United States” -Click “FAQs” -Click the “Application” dropdown -Click “When is the application deadline?” Last year’s deadline, Feb. 18, 2015 is listed. Do you give up on this scholarship? No! Call a contact number or check the site in a few weeks!

14. 14 HOW TO FIND SCHOLARSHIPS Sample Web Resources  www.cfnc.org > Pay > Grants and Scholarships www.cfnc.org  www.BigFuture.collegeboard.org > Pay for College > Grants and Scholarships www.BigFuture.collegeboard.org  www.wsfoundation.org > Students > Scholarships www.wsfoundation.org  www.maldef.org > Education > Scholarship Resources (for Latino students) www.maldef.org  www.unigo.com > Dropdown on left > Scholarship Match www.unigo.com  www.fastweb.com www.fastweb.com  www.scholarships.com www.scholarships.com

15. 15 HOW TO APPLY FOR AWARDS Procedures Used and Materials Needed College/University scholarship application methods:  Admissions application sometimes doubles as a scholarship application  Admissions application sometimes triggers an invitation to apply for scholarship  Scholarship application is sometimes a totally separate process (find info under “Admissions” or “Financial Aid”) General scholarship application materials could include:  FAFSA and/or PROFILE  Application form  Recommendations and/or essays  Transcript and test scores  Interviews  Family financial data

16. 16 HOW TO APPLY FOR AWARDS Application Tips Read directions and follow them exactly !!!! Familiarize yourself with the program  Background and purpose of the scholarship  Who funds the scholarship  What the organization does Treat essays seriously  Review samples of “standout” essay responses (many sources on the internet)  Address the prompt accurately  Determine your unique qualities, experiences, perspectives, & goals  Review essay writing tips  Work on rough drafts

17. 17 HOW TOAPPLY FOR AWARDS Application Tips (cont.) Apply throughout the year  Don’t wait for college acceptance to apply  Look for applications to come out about 4-12 weeks prior to deadline Prepare for interviews  Review sample interview questions  Practice through mock interviews  Set up through school counselor or other adult  Practice with an adult you do not know  Determine what is unique about yourself - What do you want the interviewers to know about you? Don’t let your parents do it for you! This can affect your opportunities and recommendations!

18. 18 VIDEO from FASTWEB How to make your application stand out www.fastweb.com/content/scholarship-videos Episode THREE (this is just one of several worthwhile videos you can watch on this or other sites, giving you advice on applying for scholarships) HOW TOAPPLY FOR AWARDS Application Tips (cont.)

19. 19 * *Academic excellence (rigorous curriculum, GPA/rank, SAT, grades) **Meaningful involvement in activities (clubs, sports, service, hobbies, enrichment, etc…) AND Professionalism (use formal instead of familiar language, use black/blue pen instead of pencil, type instead of print when possible, etc…) HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR ELIGIBILITY POTENTIAL Know What Scholarship Programs Look For

20. 20 Creativity and originality (if your essay is about something common - a mission trip, a sports injury, etc… - try to take it in an uncommon and unexpected direction) Clear and mature communication of ideas Self-advocacy Ability to present oneself with sincerity, rather than in trendy or “cookie-cutter” packages Demonstration of self-awareness, curiosity, kindness, collaboration, etc … Evidence of earned respect from adults (teachers, etc…) HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR ELIGIBILITY POTENTIAL Know What Programs Look For (cont.)

21. 21 HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR ELIGIBILITY POTENTIAL Create and Enhance Your Resume Donate your time in service to others (volunteering is a BIG plus for scholarships!) Take a class Learn a new skill Job-shadow a career professional Go to a “camp” or a seminar (leadership training, etc…) Find a job Travel somewhere new and keep a journal Become aware of current events LET YOUR TEACHERS GET TO KNOW YOU!!!! Use your time for productive and enriching activities, rather than for purely recreational activities. (share these recommendations with younger siblings!)

22. One final tip: Have the parent/student discussion For most of their school years, students are kept protected from decisions and discussions about parent income and family financial status. However, it’s important to have a candid family discussion about financial matters as related to realistic college options. 22

24. 24 QUESTIONS? Downloadable Handbook (Reagan Senior Handbook) Go to Reagan High website Click on Departments, then Student Services Click on Seniors Scroll down halfway, and click link “Download Senior Handbook You will find handouts including “Scholarships 101,” “Websites: A ‘Get Started List’,” “College Essay-Writing Tips,” “Interviewing Skills”(“Websites” handout from this meeting is more updated than online version) Online PowerPoint presentation Go to Reagan High website, go to “Faculty/Staff Web Pages,” go to “Randy Norris,” then click on “Resources and Handouts” after 11-10-15 Randy Norris, Counselor, Reagan High renorris@wsfcs.k12.nc.us