Objective:
• Learn some basic strategies to complete all components of a
scholarship application.
• Development of a unique and compelling essay;
• Writing a resume that truly attests to one’s
accomplishments;
• Strategies for securing excellent letters of recommendation.
•
Scholarship Panel
• In 2012, undergraduate enrollment at all American
public, private, four-year and two-year institutions
of higher learning was approximately 17.5 million
students; 11 million attended the country’s 2,474
four-year schools, and 6.5 million attended its 1,666
two-year institutions.
•
Murr, C. D. (January 01, 2010). A Scholarship Workshop Program to Improve Underrepresented Student Access to Higher
Education. Journal of Student Financial Aid, 40, 2, 31-38.
• There is roughly somewhere between $902 billion
and $1 trillion in total outstanding student loan debt
in the United States today.
• Two-thirds of college seniors who graduated in 2011
had student loan debt, with an average of $26,600
per borrower
• California: $18,113
• Sacramento State:$14,679
•
(Federal Reserve Bank of New York; Consumer Finance Protection Bureau)
Estimated Annual Costs of Attendance at Sacramento State
ALLOWANCE
WITH PARENTS
ON-CAMPUS
OFF-CAMPUS
$6,628
$6,628
$6,628
-
$11,874
-
Books & Supplies
$1,754
$1,754
$1,754
Food & Housing
$4,518
-
$12,090
Transportation
$1,400
$1,210
$1,358
Miscellaneous Personal
$1,338
$1,338
$1,338
TOTAL
$15,638
$22,804
$23,168
DIRECT COSTS
Tuition Fees*
Food & Housing
INDIRECT COSTS
4 main types of financial aid available for college:
Federal
• Pell Grant- largest grant program and are awarded based on the FAFSA; $5,550
State
• Cal Grants (A & B)
• State University Grant (SUG)
• Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
Student Loans
• Federal Perkins, Federal Direct Parent PLUS Loans, Federal Direct
Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans
Subsidized- based on financial need; interest is paid by the government while enrolled
Unsubsidized- regardless of financial need; charged interest, can either pay the interest
while enrolled or defer but will add to principle
• University Emergency Short Term Loan -a zero-free interest loan which must be
repaid within 60 days
• Private Loans
Federal Work-Study
Scholarships
• “low-income students and students of color are
especially likely to face substantial unmet need even
after taking into account all available grants and
loans”
• Unmet need is the difference between a student's Cost of Attendance, minus student
and family expected contributions and available financial aid funds
Cost of Attendance (COA)
- Expected Family Contribution (EFC)*
Financial Need
•
Murr, C. D. (January 01, 2010). A Scholarship Workshop Program to Improve Underrepresented Student Access to Higher Education.
Journal of Student Financial Aid, 40, 2, 31-38.
• A scholarship is a form of student financial aid that
does not need to be repaid. Selection of scholarship
recipients is usually based on a set of criteria, such
as academic, athletic, or artistic merit. Grants and
scholarships are often called “gift aid” because they
are free money—financial aid that doesn’t have to
be repaid. Grants are often need-based, while
scholarships are usually merit-based
•
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) at the US Department of Education
Types of Available Scholarships
• Institutional scholarships
The application period is from January 15 to March 15, each year. An
application link willbe available in the Student Center for all students with a
My Sac State account.
http://www.csus.edu/faid/Scholarships/Institutional%20Scholarship%20List.ht
ml
• Departmental scholarship
Each department has different scholarship application processes and deadlines.
http://www.csus.edu/faid/Scholarships/Sac%20State%20Departmental%20Scho
larship%20Website.html
• Community scholarships
http://www.csus.edu/faid/Scholarships/Community%20Scholarships%20List.ht
ml
Example of a Real Scholarship!
• Duck Brand Duct Tape "Stuck At
Prom®”
Ten finalists are selected and visitors to
the site then vote on them. Each of the
two entrants that make up the couple
who gets the most votes gets $3,000
towards college
Myths About Scholarships
1. Only Straight-A Students Win Scholarships
2. Only High School Seniors Can Apply for Scholarships
3. Colleges Reduce Need-Based Aid When You Win
Scholarships, So Why Bother?
4. Searching/Applying for Scholarships is Too Much Work
•
Mark Kantrowitz, Publisher of Fastweb and FinAid
Myth: Only “A” Students Win Scholarships
• Reality: Students with better grades are more likely to win
scholarships, but B and C students do win some
High School GPA
Cumulative
GPA on a
4.0 Scale
0.0-1.9 (D- to C)
2.0-2.4 (C to B-)
2.5-2.9 (B- to B)
3.0-3.4 (B to A-)
3.5-4.0 (A- to A)
% Winning
Scholarships
5.7%
7.1%
9.5%
10.7%
18.7%
% of
Scholarship
Winners
1.3%
6.2%
8.1%
30.0%
54.4%
College GPA
% Winning
Scholarships
7.0%
9.1%
10.7%
13.1%
18.8%
Myth: Just for High School Seniors
• There are scholarships with deadlines in every month of the
year
– Deadlines peak in the fall and spring
– Summer is the low point
• Many families wait until spring of the senior year in high
school to figure out how to pay for college, missing half the
deadlines for seniors
• Continue searching for scholarships after you have enrolled
in college
Myth: Colleges Will Cut Aid, So Why Bother?
• Colleges do displace private scholarships, but most colleges
will try to ensure that the student gets some financial benefit
– Private scholarships first fill the gap (unmet need)
– Then some of the private scholarship money will be used
to reduce the student’s loan and work burden
• Every college has an outside scholarship policy which
dictates how the college reduces need-based aid when a
student wins a scholarship
Myth: Searching and Applying for Scholarships is Too
Much Work
• Searching for scholarships is the easy part
• Applying for scholarships is hard, but then so is applying
for college admission
• It gets much easier after your first half-dozen applications,
since you can reuse and adapt your previous application
essays
Secrets to Winning a Scholarship
•
•
•
•
Who Wins Scholarships?
Basic Strategies for Winning Scholarships
Tips on Winning Scholarships
Pitfalls and Dangers
Who Wins Scholarships?
• Very few students win a completely free ride
– Of students enrolled full-time at a 4-year college
•
•
•
•
0.3% get enough grants to cover the full COA
1.0% get enough grants to cover 90% or more of the COA
3.4% get enough grants to cover 75% or more of the COA
14.3% get enough grants to cover 50% or more of the COA
– Of students winning scholarships, more than
two-thirds (69.1%) received less than $2,500
• More students at 4-year colleges win scholarships
– 8.3% of students at 4-year colleges win scholarships
– 2.6% of students at 2-year colleges win scholarships
Some Majors are More Lucrative
Major
Math/Statistics
Engineering
Physical Sciences
Life Sciences
Education
Health
Social Sciences
Humanities
Computer Science
Business
Percentage
Winning
23.2%
17.6%
17.1%
16.9%
15.0%
14.8%
12.7%
12.5%
11.1%
9.1%
Average
Award
$4,059
$3,075
$3,180
$2,649
$2,420
$2,880
$3,063
$2,623
$2,974
$2,828
More Students with Good Grades Win
Cumulative
Grade Point Average
(GPA)
on a 4.0 Scale
0.0-1.9 (D- to C)
2.0-2.4 (C to B-)
2.5-2.9 (B- to B)
3.0-3.4 (B to A-)
3.5-4.0 (A- to A)
High School GPA
(% Winning
Scholarships)
5.7%
7.1%
9.5%
10.7%
18.7%
College GPA
(% Winning
Scholarships)
7.0%
9.1%
10.7%
13.1%
18.8%
Strategies for Winning Scholarships
– To win more scholarships, apply to more scholarships,
but only if you qualify
• You can’t win if you don’t apply
– One in four students never applies for financial aid
• It gets easier after your first few applications
– Essays can be reused and tailored to each new application
• Don’t miss deadlines
Common Scholarship Components
• The application is more than just a form:
Personal information
• Scholarship application
 Personal Essay
 Resume
 Letters of recommendation
• Academic transcripts

What is a Personal Statement?
• Narrative essay
• 1-3 pages long
• Explains your accomplishments, goals, and struggles
Writing a Winning Scholarship Essay
• Answer the essay question orally and transcribe the
recording
• Use an outline to organize your thoughts
• Give examples and be specific
• Personalize your essay and be passionate
• Talk about your impact on other people
• Proofread a printed copy of the essay for spelling and
grammar errors
Introduces selfMy name is Chao Vang and I am twenty years old. I was admitted to California State University, Sacramento Fall of
2005. I graduated from Edison High School in Stockton, California June of 2005 and came right out of high school to
attend the Equal Opportunity Program sponsored Summer Bridge program.
There was no doubt that my choice to obtain my higher education will be from Sacramento State. Sacramento State
was
not only close to home but the student body and region represents diversity. I view a diverse student body as an
Why
important educational resource that enhances the environment for learning. The first time I toured Sacramento State my
attending senior year in high school, I felt like the campus was park-like with hundred if not thousands of trees and energetic
squirrels. The surrounding region made me more interested in attending Sacramento State. Next to the campus there are
CSUS
miles of trails along the nearby American River Parkway which I occasionally jog and bike and the Aquatic Center
which I have also visited.
In addition to the great opportunities and environmentally friendly green campus, I chose Sacramento State because
Academic
of the vibrant teaching credential program that is offered through the College of Education. I would love to become a
interests andteacher and teach in Sacramento City Unified. While teaching, I plan to further my education here at Sacramento State
and get my masters in educational administration and my administrative credential.
goals
Coming to Sacramento State is one of the best decisions I made so far. I know the value of obtaining degree and the
long term benefits but this academic journey of mine has not been easy. As Hmong refugees from Thailand fleeing the
Vietnam War both my parents’ goal for all my siblings is to have a better life than they did. This meant getting an
Personal
education and being a productive member of society. Both my parents were not and are still not able to support me
hardships financially. Even though they are unable to financially support me I know they are proud of me. As the first generation
to attend college and 4th person in my family to attend Sacramento State, I am proud that I am the few lucky persons in
the world to have the privilege and opportunity to carry out my dreams.
Living away from home and not having the security net from my parents and family has allowed me to become very
Personal
responsible. I continued to volunteer and maintain a descent GPA while working on campus and applying to various
growth and scholarships and with financial assistance to face my financial hardship.
is the uncertainty of whether lack of finance resources will deter me from achieving my goals. I have the
successes There
intellectual capacity, determination, and emotional support to accomplish my goals. I will always value what
Sacramento State has given me. I hope that the scholarship committee can also see my dreams and grant my application
for a scholarship.
Conclusion Thank You,
Chao Vang
Letters of Recommendation
• They are commonly required as part of the scholarship
application process.
• Provide the selection committee with third-party documentation
and validation of your background. They want to read the
opinion of someone who is familiar with your background and
knows you well.
• Main goal of providing the scholarship awarding panel with an
idea of the kind of person that you are and what you will bring
on in that makes you the most preferred candidate.
• They can make the difference in attracting extra attention to your
scholarship application
How to Help Get Better Letters
Request in writing
Give your letter writer basic information
• Your contact information
• The deadline for each letter you need
• The type of scholarship for which you're applying scholarship details
• Any special forms/Directions from the application
Give your letter writer information you would like emphasized in the letter
◦ Course of study
◦ Career interests
◦ Resume
Campus or community activities
Honors and awards received
Who Should You Ask?
Choose someone who:
 Has worked with you closely. (supervisor)
 Has worked with you long enough to write from real
knowledge. (academic advisor)
 Is relevant to the scholarship you have chosen. (professors
in the case of academic applications)
 Has a positive opinion of you and your abilities.
 Has an personal style that is warm and supportive.
Personal Advice:
• Develop strong mentorship with a professor/staff that can
write you multiple letter of recommendations
• Give your writers plenty of time
• Follow up
• Thank the recommender for writing the letter
Most Common Application Mistakes
• Missing deadlines
• Failing to proofread the application
• Failing to follow directions (essay length, number of
recommendations)
• Omitting required information
• Applying for an award when you don’t qualify
• Failing to apply for an award for which you are eligible
• Failing to tailor the application to the sponsor
• Writing a boring essay
Beware of Scholarship Scams
• If you have to pay money to get money, it is probably a
scam
• Never invest more than a postage stamp to get information
about scholarships or to apply for a scholarship
• Nobody can guarantee that you’ll win a scholarship
• Do not give out personal information like bank account
numbers, credit card numbers or Social Security numbers
• Beware of the unclaimed aid myth
Personal Tips
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Begin scholarship search around November
Finding scholarships requires dedication
Decide which scholarship
Don’t overlook scholarships for smaller awards
Verify deadlines
Read eligibility requirements CAREFULLY and THOROUGHLY
Develop strong mentorship with a professor/staff that can write you multiple letter of
recommendations
Be assertive, take initiative
Proofread your application for spelling and grammar mistakes
Use a professional email address
Clean up the content of your Facebook account
Make a copy of your application before mailing it
Print or type responses in ink
Respond to ALL questions
Order transcripts
Thank-you letters
For more information
Full Circle Project
6000 J Street
Lassen Hall 2205
Sacramento, CA 95819-6068
Phone: (916) 278-5172
Email: fcp-03@csus.edu
Website: www.csus.edu/fcp