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For more information, contact
Student Support Services (541-888-7419)
GETTING STARTED WITH SCHOLARSHIPS
1. Start LOOKING.
2. Don’t be discouraged.
3. Start requesting letters of recommendation.
4. List your activities, involvement, and awards.
5. Write a personal statement describing your educational and/or career goals.
6. Stay organized!!
7. PAY ATTENTION TO DEADLINES.
Searching for scholarships can be a difficult yet rewarding process. Let the staff at Student Support Services (SSS) assist you in receiving all of the funding you are eligible for to attend the institution of your choice. Call SSS at 888-7419 for help.
How to Find Scholarships
Looking for scholarships is perhaps the hardest part of the process. It can be very time-consuming and tedious looking through scholarship reference books or computer programs. However, if you spend ten hours and receive $5000, then your time was well spent. The following is a list of places to begin your search.
1. Use the World Wide Web (www) on the Internet. There are a number of different search engines you can use. Try the following:
2. The Career Center at Southwestern has many scholarship reference books and a computer search program.
3. Visit the Southwestern library or community library. Ask the reference librarian to direct you to the scholarship information.
4. Check the Southwestern catalog or the catalog of the school where you plan to transfer.
5. Check the Southwestern Financial Aid Rep at the Student First Stop Center or the financial aid office of the school where you plan to transfer.
6. Many local organizations (Soroptimists, Zonta, etc.) advertise scholarships in the local newspaper. The library has a copy.
7. If you belong to an organization (e.g., Phi Theta Kappa, Rotoract, etc.), check to see if they offer financial assistance for education.
8. Student Support Services has scholarship reference books and posts scholarship information on the bulletin board in Stensland Hall (Counseling and Testing waiting area).
Sample Letter to Request Scholarship Information
Name of Scholarship
Name of Organization
Address of Organization
City, State, Zip Code
Dear Scholarship Administrator:
I am currently a student who is in need of a scholarship, grant, or financial aid to help with the costs of my college education. I am interested in applications and any information available regarding the scholarships, grants, or loans offered through your organization.
(Enter a concise paragraph about your background and goals. Try to show how you meet the requirements of the organization’s financial aid program.)
I would also appreciate any referrals you may have regarding other scholarship sources.
Sincerely,
(your signature)
Your Name
Your Address
City, State, Zip Code
Date
How Are Scholarships Awarded?
The criteria for selecting scholarship recipients vary considerably. Because scholarships aim to further the interests of the donor, each organization chooses the qualities they wish to honor. Usually scholarships examine more than one factor. These factors are commonly considered:
Academic Achievement: This category examines grades, level of course work, test scores, and exceptional skills in specific fields.
Career Interests: Students who plan to major in specific career fields may be awarded scholarships by academic departments, private foundations or employers.
Financial Need: Financial need can often be a determining factor in many scholarships. Variation exists in defining financial need, so students may be classified as needy for one award, but not for another. Some scholarships clearly define the term “financial need.” Others allow the applicant or school to make that determination.
Good Character: This vague category usually includes honesty, reliability, good attendance, leadership, and responsibility.
Realistic Goals: An evaluation is made of the students’ abilities to meet their stated objectives.
School, Community, and Leadership Activities: A review of participation in extracurricular organizations and employment history are considered. Here, the extent to which you are committed and involved in these activities is more important than the number of activities listed. What you do beyond what is required of you and how you make a difference when you choose to be involved is a reflection of leadership.
Special Populations: Usually this category includes racial or ethnic groups, gender, religious affiliations, children of alumni, children of employees, etc. For example, there is a scholarship for students named Anderson (of Scandinavian descent) who plan to attend the University of Washington.
Special Skills or Talents: Music, drama, art and athletics are major areas for which these awards are granted. Usually there are added procedures for these merit scholarships, such as submitting a portfolio, an audition, meeting with coaches, etc.
In addition to the criteria listed for selection, the application is also evaluated on other subjective factors. The application itself, its neatness and completeness, makes a definite impression on the reader. The ability to follow the application’s directions (as to format or content) should not be underestimated. Well-written personal statements or letters of recommendation very often sway the judges. A strong, clear interview will do much to bolster an application. When there are many qualified applicants, judges have to look at small differences to distinguish applications.
Writing Application and Scholarship Essays
Important points to consider:
· Go back now and add DETAILS. Explain your reasons. Give examples. Don't try to "pretty up" your writing, but DO make it detailed.
Personal Statement
Scholarship donors and admission officers want to know more about their students than statistics and dry facts. Essays are an extremely important part of the admission and scholarship selection process, simply because they are the most immediate indication of who and what you are.
To begin, you are writing for a purpose; you are trying to convince either an admission officer, or a committee, that by virtue of your merit (academic achievement, athletic prowess, leadership interests, etc.) they should either admit you into their school, and/or award you money. In order to accomplish this, present yourself as clearly and fully as possible. Your personal essay should be dedicated to expounding your good qualities and achievements.
Committees and admission officers are impressed with personal
growth and individuality. If you think that cannot possibly mean you, think
again - it does. You are not the same person you were one, two or three
years ago. You have matured, you probably have more family and/or work responsibilities,
and you probably have become more involved in your academics and outside interests.
If this weren't true, you wouldn't be thinking about attending college, and
you wouldn’t be reading this now. So think positively, and brainstorm! Don’t
worry whether or not what you have to say is important enough or particular
enough to catch someone’s attention. If you are writing about something that
you truly care about, it will be interesting and worthwhile.
If you are applying for admission to college, you may be asked to write about these topics:
þ An experience or achievement that is especially meaningful.
þ A local or national issue and its importance to you.
þ A prominent figure in the arts, politics, religion, or science.
þ Your reasons for pursuing a university education (Often this is more specific: why do you want to enter engineering or how is the study of history related to your goals?
If you were writing on the last topic, you would want to tie together your desire to further your education and why that school is the best place for you. For example, you may want to write on the recent changes in the Soviet Union. You would first briefly discuss the importance of those changes in world politics. Then secondly, you would state how they relate to your interest in diplomacy (if that is true), and how, since their school has a particularly strong international relations program (if that is true), their school is particularly suited to filling your interests and career goals.
If you are applying for a scholarship offered by a private foundation (or by a school or university), consider the source. For example, if the Daughters of the American Revolution offers scholarships, what do you think they might ask you to write on? They are undoubtedly a patriotic organization; perhaps you should brush up on your U.S. history and government. If you are writing on a specified topic (e.g., “The Importance of Education to Minorities in the 21st Century”), you may need to do some research and reading. Whether or not you are answering a specific question, being aware of and tying pertinent news and events into your essay helps.
Hints for Writing Your Essay
The essay is a chance to show the selection committee who you are as a person, as well as what you have accomplished. Unless you know exactly what you want to say (which is unlikely for most writers), you will need to do some thinking, organizing and checking over.
Thinking:
1. What are the positive things about yourself and your schooling up to now?
2. Why and how did you achieve your goals?
3. Are you answering a specific question?
4. Are you describing your goals or interests?
5. Who is your audience?
6. What are the most important facts about you that they need to know: Choose things that aren’t shown elsewhere in the application.
Organizing:
1. Theme:
o Identify one or two main points you wish to express.
o Begin to develop your ideas into paragraphs.
2. Continuity:
o Use the same voice throughout the paper.
o Be consistent with personal pronouns and verb tense.
o Make sure the end of one paragraph blends with the beginning of the next.
3. Clarity:
o Use concrete language to convey your examples.
o Don’t get lost on tangents.
Checking Over:
1. Does your introduction capture the reader’s attention?
2. Are you consistent in your verb tense?
3. Are you clear and coherent?
4. Are you concise enough to adhere to limits of length?
5. Have you checked for grammatical and spelling errors?
6. Does the essay present you as you wish to be seen?
7. Did another person check your essay for errors?
8. Would you remember your essay if you read 200 others?
9. Does you closing paragraph present you as you wish to be remembered?
Letters of Recommendation
Beside the basic application form and essay(s), most, if not all, schools and scholarship committees will require you to submit some sort of letter of recommendation.
Letters of recommendation (also called letters of endorsement or reference) may be from a teacher, a counselor, an advisor, an alumnus, an employer, a leader in your church, or a prominent member of your community. Colleges and committees request these letters so that they will have a point of view other than your own as to your greatest strengths and weaknesses.
In selecting someone to write a letter on your behalf, it is wise to ask someone who knows you well and likes you.
It does not make sense to ask your ninth grade teacher (the one you surprised by putting a frog in his desk) who does not like you very much, or the city councilwoman who you helped with her campaign (but who does not remember you at all). Select people with whom you have a long-standing acquaintance and who will compose a letter of recommendation giving specifics: non-academic interests, personal strengths, unusual qualities, work experience, and anecdotal examples of your integrity, humor, ability to adapt, interpersonal skills, interest in others, and openness to new experiences.
When asking someone to write a letter of recommendation, it is helpful to give them a written description of the scholarship
You can copy the information that the awards committee sends applicants. Be sure to mark the deadline clearly so they will know when to complete your letter. It is polite to ask for the reference between two and three weeks in advance, and even earlier if possible. You do not want them to be rushed in writing your letter - and if the first person you ask declines, you still have time to choose someone else. With all this time and information, they will be able to convey to the committee why you as an individual are best-suited to receive the scholarship.
LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION REQUEST
Name: ________________________________________ Date: ___________________________
Local Address: ________________________________ Phone: __________________________
________________________________ Major: __________________________
What is the purpose of this letter? (e.g., application to professional school, scholarship, etc.)
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
List all schools or agencies (and their addresses) that you want to receive letters (with due dates) on the back of this sheet.
List all others who will write letters for you, and what you assume they will cover in their letters.
Writers: Topics:
_____________________________ ____________________________________________
_____________________________ ____________________________________________
_____________________________ ____________________________________________
Topics you wish covered in this letter:
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
What do you consider to be your strengths?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Weaknesses?
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
List related experiences (e.g., campus activities, practicums, work history, etc.; continue on back of this sheet), and/or attach resume:
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
Financial Situation
This information can be obtained from the Financial Aid Rep.
1. What are your anticipated costs for your education?
Expenses Anticipated Sources of Income
Tuition _______________ Financial aid _______________
Fees _______________ Public assistance _______________
Books _______________ Other scholarships _______________
Supplies _______________ Work _______________
Child care _______________ Loans _______________
Room & board _______________ Other _______________
Total _______________ Total _______________
2. What is the difference between anticipated income and educational costs? Explain.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
3. Are you dependent on receiving financial assistance to continue your education?
Yes _____ No _____
The Interview
Interviews are required by some scholarship committees, usually in the final stages of selection. They are more likely to be required if the scholarship is awarded for personal characteristics, like leadership or motivation.
The scholarship committee may want to meet you in order to give a personal impression to all the forms they receive. The interview can be an opportunity to emphasize your interests and hopes for your college education.
Beforehand, it might reassure you to look over the copies you made of your application. This will refresh your mind and help you focus on what you and your interviewer will most likely talk about. You can practice with a friend by listing possible questions and answering them aloud in front of another person.
Being neatly dressed and prompt helps because it tells the interviewer that you care about receiving the scholarship. Even though the setting of an interview may make you nervous, remember that they are just trying to get to know you better
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How to Make a Successful Application
q When writing for application forms and information, remember that your letter is your introduction. The letter should be clear, concise, and neat.
q Many scholarships have early application deadlines. Be sure to note the deadlines and requirements for each scholarship.
q Fill out the application completely and do not expect the reader to make assumptions; explain your situation and ideas clearly.
q Type your applications, essays, and letters; remember to check for spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
q If you use a computer, make sure the print and font are clear and easy to read.
q Many scholarships require a letter of reference; the scholarship organization may send you a form or ask for a confidential letter.
q Follow instructions explicitly and provide what is asked of you. Do not send transcripts or other materials until they are requested.
q Have your work proofread by a second party.
q Choose your words carefully; application space and the readers’ time are usually limited.
q Sell yourself; present yourself in the best light, but be honest.
q Once you have been asked to provide transcripts, if possible, send them together with applications and letters of recommendation as a complete packet , not separately.
q Remember to sign your letters and application and provide the necessary postage.
q Most scholarships are highly competitive; do your best and do not hesitate to ask your teachers, advisor, or parents for advice.
q Allow for mail delays in meeting deadlines.
Scholarship Contact Sheet Name: _________________________________
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Scholarship __________________________________ Phone Number __________________________________ Due Date __________________________________ Contact Person __________________________________ College/Dept. __________________________________ Student/Staff __________________________________ |
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Scholarship __________________________________ Phone Number __________________________________ Due Date __________________________________ Contact Person __________________________________ College/Dept. __________________________________ Student/Staff __________________________________ |
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Scholarship __________________________________ Phone Number __________________________________ Due Date __________________________________ Contact Person __________________________________ College/Dept. __________________________________ Student/Staff __________________________________ |
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Scholarship __________________________________ Phone Number __________________________________ Due Date __________________________________ Contact Person __________________________________ College/Dept. __________________________________ Student/Staff __________________________________ |
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12 SURE-FIRE SCHOLARSHIP TIPS FROM FASTWEB.COM!
1. Get involved. Use your high school and college extracurricular activities to your advantage. Most scholarship providers look for well-rounded applicants, so even if you don't have the highest GPA, you have a great shot at winning if you're not just a bookworm.
2. Do a little research. Learn all you can about the scholarship provider and what their values are. Spending some time to find out about the organization that is offering the scholarship can make a world of difference. It shows that you're interested in them and will help you in focusing your application.
3. Build a portfolio. To help support your scholarship application, it is useful to have various sources from which to demonstrate your accomplishments. Therefore, build a portfolio of sources, such as reference letters, photographs of artwork, newspaper clippings, award certificates, etc.
4. Take advantage of your personal history and experience. This is what distinguishes you from every other applicant. Use your own unique experiences and perspective to set yourself apart and convey this to the scholarship provider. It's what makes YOU special that they'll want to see.
5. Find out what's worked before. If you can find out information about last year's scholarship winners, it will help you to learn what the scholarship committee is looking for in their winners. Using this information, you can emphasize your abilities and qualities that best represent these winning characteristics.
6. Don't be a procrastinator. Waiting till the last minute to submit your application is a great way to ensure that you'll walk away empty-handed. Applications that are rushed and barely make the deadline date are obvious to the scholarship provider, which reflects poorly on your abilities. Be aware of the deadline date and make sure that your application arrives well before the specified date.
7. Proofread, proofread, proofread. Have we stressed the importance of proofreading your application enough? Careless mistakes and typos will make your application stand out in a very negative way. If possible, have someone else proofread your application, too. A new set of eyes can usually spot errors that you may have overlooked.
8. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. When requesting scholarship applications, be sure to enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Keep in mind that most scholarship providers have limited resources to spend on incidental expenses such as postage and cannot respond to requests without it. The cost of a first class stamp is well worth the opportunity to win another scholarship.
9. Check with your local organizations. Many of your local organizations offer scholarships that may not be well-publicized. Check with your employer, parents' employers, churches, community organizations, etc. for scholarships that they may offer. These local scholarship providers want to give their scholarships to residents who live in their community, so don't ignore these potentially unknown sources.10. Keep up your grades. Good grades in high school and college hardly seem worth mentioning, but it's always good to be reminded of that. Show the scholarship providers that you mean business and get the grades that will help you win their scholarship. Not only that, if the scholarship is renewable, you'll be able to renew the award by maintaining your good grades.
11. Build a relationship with the scholarship provider. If possible, try to build a rapport with the scholarship provider. Call a member of the scholarship committee and discuss their organization, talk about your future plans, ask to set up a personal interview. People like to help people that they know, and by building a relationship with the scholarship provider, you'll have a much better chance of winning their award.
12. Apply! You can't win if you don't apply. Sounds silly, but many students don't bother applying. Whether it's because the process seems too difficult or they think their chances are too slim, some students have literally thrown away scholarships. Don't be one of them. Stay motivated and put in the effort -- you'll definitely reap the benefits.
Good Luck,
fastWEB.com, L.L.C.