Locating and Applying
for Scholarships
2005
High School Counselor’s Workshop
2006
Session Agenda
• Locating Possible Scholarships
• Application Submission
• Writing the Essay
• The Student Athlete
• Avoiding Scholarship Scams
• Assistance for Students with Disabilities
2
Locating Possible Scholarships
• Register with or use a search engine:
• FastWEB
www.fastweb.com
• Mach25
www.mach25.com
• CollegeBoard
www.collegeboard.com
• Peterson's
Scholarship Search www.petersons.com
3
The Local Connection
• What groups have offered scholarships to your
students in the past?
• Compile a list from the last several years
• Create an application requirement list
• Application requirements
• Deadlines
• Contacts
4
Application Submission
• Table of contents
• Application Form
• Essay
• Letters of Recommendation
• Transcripts
5
How to Submit
• Use some color!
• Submit originals or only first generation Xerox
• Bind materials together
• Mail flat (not folded) in a large envelope
6
The Two Minute Decision
• Readers will know after reading the
introduction whether the student warrants
consideration.
• Individuality is important but not if the message
is hard to understand
• Follow instructions!
• Is it easy to read?
7
The Essay
8
Essay Themes
• Major accomplishments
• Distinguishing attributes
• Cultural or artistic influences
• Challenging times in their life
• Extra curricular activities
9
Essay Themes
• Struggles that led to success
• Struggles that led to failure
• What do you love?
• What would you most like to be doing?
• Where would you most like to be?
• Who would you like to meet?
10
Essay Themes
• Moments when the light bulb came on!
• Educational plans
• Career aspirations
• Spiritual enlightenment
• Dreams for the future
• Where will you be in ten years, twenty, thirty?
11
Writing the Essay
• Do not stray from the topic
• Keep anecdotes short
• Keep the audience in mind
• Religious
• Business
• Read by adult professionals
12
Writing the Essay
• You are trying to convince someone to give you
money
• Does the essay cover the topic?
• Does it answers any questions they may have?
• How does the scholarship fit in?
• Does it include the student’s demographics?
13
The Essay Format
• Writing:
• clear and concise
• well organized
• logical
• flows well
• easy to follow
14
The Essay Format
• Typed
• double spaced
• 12 point font
• standard size margins
• within the given length
15
The Essay Format
• Writing style:
• An appropriately serious tone
• Sincere
• modestly confident
16
Essay Recycling
• Essay Recycling
• Use, and reuse, and reuse, etc.
• Set up a library of paragraphs and essays
• Education and Career Goals
• Challenging Moments
• Extracurricular activities
• Continue to revise, improve and update material
17
The Student Athlete
• The NCAA has rules for the handling of
student athletes.
18
The National Letter of Intent
• A binding agreement between school and a
prospective student-athlete
• A one year scholarship
• If does not enroll, subject to penalties
• NLI is not an NCAA program
• Administered by the Southeastern Conference (SEC)
• (205) 458-3000 or www.nationalletter.org
19
Breach of NLI Intent
• Sign an NLI - committed to attend that school for
first collegiate year
• If does not attend that school, or attends for less
than one year, and enrolls in another NLI
participating college, there may be eligibility
ramifications.
• Penalties may preclude athletic participation for
two years and include two seasons of lost eligibility.
20
School may Reduce/Cancel
• Student renders himself or herself ineligible
• Misrepresents any information on an
application, letter of intent or financial aid
agreement; or
• Commits serious misconduct
• Voluntarily quits the sport for personal reasons.
21
School Cannot Cancel
• Based on a student-athlete's ability or
performance
• Because of injury
• For any other athletics reason.
22
Renewal/Nonrenewal
• Aid based on athletics ability cannot be awarded for
more than one year at a time
• Decision to continue is made on a year-by-year basis
• School must notify student before July 1 whether the
aid has been renewed
• Student has a right to a hearing
• Call or write the NCAA (317) 917-6222 or the
Southeastern Conference with questions
23
Avoiding Scholarship Scams
“If you must pay money to get
money, it might be a scam.”
Copyright (c) 2004 by FinAid Page LLC (FinAid.org).
All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.
24
Scholarship Scams Rules of Thumb
• If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Spend the time, not the money.
• Never invest more than a postage stamp to get
information about scholarships.
• Nobody can guarantee that a student will win a
scholarship.
Copyright (c) 2004 by FinAid Page LLC (FinAid.org).
All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.
25
Avoiding Scholarship Scams
• Legitimate scholarship foundations do not
charge application fees.
• If an offer seems suspicious, it's usually with
good reason.
Copyright (c) 2004 by FinAid Page LLC (FinAid.org).
All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission.
26
Assistance for Students with
Disabilities
• Scholarships are extremely limited.
• Students must also pursue non-restricted scholarships
• Colleges and universities may also offer specific
scholarships.
• Students should contact the financial aid office at each
institution to which they are applying.
• Consult disability specific advocacy organizations
27
Assistance for Students with
Disabilities
• Students should contact the financial aid office at
each institution to which they are applying.
• To inquire on scholarships
• To point out any special needs that may alter cost of
attendance
• Consult disability specific advocacy organizations
28
The HEATH Resource Center
www.heath.gwu.edu
29