Scholarship Workshop
Erik N. Ashby, MLS
Weber State University-Davis
Coordinator; Student Programs & Services
Student Programs & Services
~Education is the Avenue to Change~
Student Programs & Services help
students obtain the tools and
support they need to successfully
enter and thrive in school.
Getting Started
"The self is not something readymade, but something in continuous
formation through choice of action.
~Choose to Act."
Objective
• To learn some basic
strategies to complete
all components of a
scholarship
application process.
Workshop Agenda
• Myths & Facts
• Scholarship Search Strategies
• Basic Application Tips
• Resume
• Personal Statement
• Interviews
• Follow-Up
Myths & Facts
• Myth…
– You must be an “A” student to win a
scholarship.
• Fact…
– Having an “A” average alone will not
guarantee you a scholarship. Need based
scholarships are available
• Myth…
– Billions of scholarship dollars go unused
every year.
• Fact…
– Although some scholarship money is
unclaimed each year, this money is often
earmarked for students with very specific
qualifications such as a particular last name or
some unusual characteristic. For instance,
students who are Catholic and have the last
name of Zolp may be eligible for a full tuition
four-year scholarship at Loyola University.
• Myth…
– You cannot win a scholarship if you do not
have financial need. Or, middle class students
cannot get money for college.
• Fact…
– Middle class students can win money for
college. Although they may not be eligible for
some need-based scholarship programs, they
still have numerous opportunities to win
merit scholarships.
• Myth…
– Grades and ACT/SAT scores are the only
factors you need to worry about for winning
scholarships
• Fact…
– Having good grades and high SAT scores are
definitely important. However, you still need
to have a history of participation and growth
in extracurricular activities as well as
involvement in your community to win
scholarships.
Scholarship Search Strategies
• Create a personal inventory
– Financial Aid options (loans, grants, internships,
employment)
– Career Goals? Field of Study?
• Start small and grow big.. Local to National….
• The Weber State Scholarship
Office/Application
Scholarship Search Strategies
•
Check membership organizations
– Churches, Employer, national organizations for your major
•
Scholarships offered through University
Depts./programs
• Tuition Waivers (i.e. Student Involvement Center,
Women’s Center)
• Utilize other University’s online resources
• Avoid Scholarship Scams!!!!!!!!
Basic Application Tips
• Verify deadlines. Get Everything in Early!!!
– Scholarship Season: Nov-March
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Print or type responses in black ink.
Respond to ALL questions.
Provide current contact information.
Highlight your strengths and achievements.
Be specific.
Include a professional resume.
Proofread your application for spelling and
grammar mistakes.
Basic Application Tips
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Major
GPA
Community Involvement
Ethnicity
Gender
Financial Need
Educational Goals
Membership
Basic Scholarship Tips
• Read eligibility requirements CAREFULLY and
THOROUGHLY.
• Keep extra official transcripts.
• Request letters of recommendation at least one
month in advance.
• Make several copies of the application so you
can start fresh if you make mistakes.
• Check spelling and grammar.
• Answer all questions.
• Be concise
• Make at least 2 copies of your application for
your personal file.
Resume 101
Resumes: Powerful Marketing
Tools
Summarizes your education and experience,
highlighting most relevant qualifications
• Prepares you mentally to present a strong
and focused interview
• Helps structure the interview in your favor
• Reminds the interviewer of your best points
Before Starting
• Review the requirements (e.g. job description)
of the position you are applying for
• Ensure your resume demonstrates you have the
skills, abilities, and knowledge defined in the job
description
• Use action words (verbs) before the task you
include for each position
• Include a cover letter to link your skills to those
in the job description
Resume: Step by Step
• Personal Data
– Name, address, phone, and email
• Objective
– Brief and related to the job title
• Educational Information
– Colleges attended, major, degree earned or expected
• Experience
– Full and part-time, internships, and volunteer work
• Skills
– Computer, languages spoken
• Honors and Activities
– College activities, Dean’s list, other academic honors
Resume Layout – Personal
Data
• Name, address, phone, and email
– Professional email address
– Professional voice mail on cell phone
• Tailor header for visual appeal
Erik N. Ashby
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
(562) 985-0000
Long Beach, CA 90840 erikashby@weber.edu
Resume Layout Objective
• Make it specific to the job or general
(especially if passing out multiple resumes)
• Brief, simple, and related to the job title
you are applying for
Objective: Internship in Advertising
Resume Layout – Experience
• Full and part-time, paid/unpaid internships, and
volunteer work
• Reverse chronological order
• Use key “action verbs” from job description;
emphasize achievements while on the job
Experience
Academic Advisor (Intern), Center for Student Athlete
12/04 – Present
Services CSULB
 Advise student athletes on college majors and appropriate courses
 Monitor academic progress to insure compliance with NCAA regulations
 Make appropriate referrals to academic and student services
 Consult with career counselor regarding selection of major
Camp Counselor, City of Long Beach, Long Beach, CA
 Directed and participated in activities for campers ages 5 – 11
 Planned and supervised field trips
 Enforced camp rules and regulations
Tutor (Volunteer), Cities and Schools Program, Long Beach
Unified School District
 Tutored high school students in math and English
 Critiqued homework assignments
Summer 2004
9/03 – 6/04
Resume Layout – Special Skills
• Computer skills
• Use proper names for software skills – include
those specific to the profession (e.g.
engineering, computer science, etc.)
• Indicate languages in which you are fluent
Special Skills
Knowledge of Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet search tools
Fluent in English and Spanish; Conversational French
Resume Layout –
Honors and Activities
• College activities, Scholarships, Dean’s list,
Recognition, Certificates, Leadership roles,
etc.
• Include item if it supports your candidacy
for position identified in your objective
Honors
Dean’s List
Ronald McDonald Scholarship Recipient
Employee
- of the Month Certificate
Organizations Peer Mentor, Cerritos College
Scholars Honors Program Participant
English Tutor, Learning Resource Center
Secretary, Project- Hope
Resume Basic Checklist
• Length & Materials:
• One letter size page preferred (second
page accepted for those with extensive
experience)
• 1” margins
• White, cream, light gray paper
• Font & Size Type:
• Arial, Bookman, Helvetica, and Times are
acceptable
• 10 - 14 point font acceptable (12 point
font suggested)
Resume Do’s
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Research the company beforehand
Proofread your resume
Put your name on top of page
Keep your objective simple
Provide a neat and visually
appearing resume
• Use key words as shown on job
description
• Add volunteer, internships, and
extracurricular work
Resume Do’s
– Have several resumes for different jobs
you are considering
• Market your skills:
– Highlight skills, knowledge, and abilities
– Quantify (e.g. increased sales by 20%)
– Show leadership/organizational skills
Resume Don’ts
• List an objective that has nothing
to do with the job in question
• Make your resumes too long
• Never lie or over exaggerate
• No grammatical errors; no clutter
• State your age, ethnicity, marital
status, sexual orientation, birth
place, etc. *But only if specific to
scholarship*
Chronological Resume
• Most commonly used format for
students and recent graduates
• Experience is listed
chronologically beginning with the
most recent position
• Practical for individuals with jobs
in the same field
For more information on resumes contact:
WSU Career Services
Personal Statement: Do’s and
Dont’s
• Just Do It!
• Start brainstorming ideas. Focus on gathering
ideas rather than trying to find the perfect
beginning.
• Create a list of achievements-both academic and
professional (organize them chronologically or
by specific categories).
• Have your resume on hand to refer to.
• Read several sample personal statements to
gather ideas for themes, beginnings, and
conclusions.
• Make sure to answer the prompt/essay topic.
Personal Statement
• Include a descriptions of specific achievements.
• Keep the focus on your but give credit to
resources-Eg: Professors, mentors, family
members.
• Create a unique opening paragraph.
• Highlight qualities/skills that you don’t mention
ion your application. Incorporate personal
values.
• Don’t criticize others or reveal too many
personal details. Use careful judgment.
• Don’t be vague.
• Don’t begin with “Hello my name is . . .”
Personal Statement
• Have someone else read your paper (preferable
a professors and a trusted friend/family
member).
• Ask them if the paper sounds like you. Your
essay should sound natural.
• Set aside your essay for a few days and read in
again with a “fresh” perspective.
Interview
• Set aside 2-3 days to prepare for the interview.
• Review your application, resume, and personal
statement prior to the interview.
• Craft some sample responses to commonly
asked questions. Write them out and rehearse
saying them out loud.
Interview
• Arrive 10-15 minutes.
• Dress professionally.
• Shake hands firmly and greet everyone you meet
in a professional and friendly manner.
• Smile and sit up straight during the interview.
• Make eye contact with all interviewers.
• Be confident, enthusiastic, and poised.
Follow-Up
• Send a handwritten thank-you note to the
scholarship committee.
• Mention specific details from the interview.
• Be gracious, sincere, and brief in your note.
Questions?
Contact Information
Thank you for joining us!
For additional help, please contact Erik Ashby,
Coordinator; Student Programs & Services
Direct Line: 801-395-3514
erikashby@weber.edu
Weber State University – Davis
2750 N. University Park Blvd
Layton, UT 84041
Good Luck!
We wish you the best of luck in your
scholarship search 