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- Search the web–Many scholarship opportunities can be generated from using scholarship search engines. The search itself often takes between 20-45 minutes to complete. Some searches will respond almost immediately by providing a list of several new sources. In addition, if you have already been accepted to your school of choice and have NOT received financial aid or scholarship information, you should contact the school's financial aid office for potential opportunities. Approximately 80% of all financial aid comes from the school itself.
- Check the qualifications–Scholarships are generally looking for specific candidates and qualities. There are several scholarships specifically for GPA and high test scores, but also for factors such as ethnicity, gender, major, year in school, first generation college students, and the type of college you will be attending.
- Check the criteria needed – Most scholarships factor several aspects when determining who will receive an award. These factors include grade point average, ACT/SAT scores, extra-curricular activities, work experience, community service, honors and awards, and family financial statements. You may also be required to write an essay and submit letters of recommendation from school.
- Check the deadline – All scholarships will have either a date the application is to be postmarked or when it is to be received. It is extremely important that you collect your transcript and recommendations as well as other school information well in advance of the scholarship deadline.
- Prepare a resume¢ - Nearly all scholarship applications request a compilation of extracurricular activities, work experience, honors, awards, community service, etc. Rather than “reinventing the wheel” with each scholarship, one should consider constructing a resume that can simply be inserted with each application. Your counselor can show you examples of effective resumes; you can also look at sample resumes by using Yahoo or other search engines.
- Prepare a career goal statement – Many scholarship applications will ask for a brief statement or essay about your future plans. The more specific and creative your essay, the greater the chance that you will be selected.
- Preparing for and writing the essay – A few tips:
1.
When given a choice, write about something you're familiar with and/or passionate about.
2.
“Show” rather than “tell” – Use anecdotes and examples.
3.
Proofread your essay.
4.
Use your own “voice.”
5.
Be brief and concise.
- Choose a “good” recommendation writer – Almost all the scholarships will require you to submit anywhere from one to three or four recommendations (Two seems to be the most common amount). Select people who know your abilities well and will highlight your strengths when writing a letter of recommendation. Provide the recommendation writer with your resume and give them a deadline for completion, (no shorter than two weeks).
- Make a final check – People who award scholarships often times have a difficult job choosing winners. Don't make their job easier by omitting a recommendation, misplacing your essay, neglecting to include a transcript or worst of all, missing a deadline. Keep yourself in the running by taking time just before you mail to see that everything is in order.
- Be realistic – Applying for scholarships for which you have no “reasonable” chance of competing for is simply a waste of time. Scholarship applications require time and energy; before you take all these essential steps above, make sure that you are being honest with yourself about your chances!
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