ALL ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS

12/7/2019

LEADERSHIP

WORKSHOPSONE-ON-ONE MENTORING COLLEGE CHATS

OPPORTUNITIESINCENTIVES

WHAT WE OFFER

Resume Writing Mock InterviewCareer Exploration

Program ExplorationScholarship Essay

Writing

College Application

Tutoring FASFA/Scholarships

THE SUPPORT YOU NEED

AT THE TEMPE PUBLIC LIBRARY TEEN CENTERIN THE

http://CollegeConnectTempe.org collegeconnect@tempe.gov 480-858-7890

VISIT US!

PAYING FOR COLLEGEMAKE IT HAPPEN IN

MARICOPAEXPLORE YOUR POSSIBILITIES

MAKE IT HAPPENIN MARICOPA

Ten Campuses and Three Skill Centers

Chandler-Gilbert Community

College

Estrella Mountain Community

College

GateWay Community

College

Glendale Community

College

MesaCommunity

College

Paradise Valley Community

College

Phoenix College Rio Salado College

ScottsdaleCommunity

College

South Mountain Community

CollegeSam CampanaFormer Mayor of Scottsdale and a graduate of a Maricopa Community College

Gonzalo de la MelenaCEO and a graduate of the Maricopa Community Colleges

Myron WorthonU.S. Army Veteran, Future Business Leader and student of the Maricopa Community Colleges

DEDICATED TO YOUR SUCCESSo 1962-SERVED OVER 6 MILLION MARICOPA RESIDENTSo 126,000 ANNUAL ENROLLMENTo LARGEST COMMUNITY COLLEGE SYSTEM IN NATIONo QUALITY INSTRUCTIONo UNIVERSITY TRANSFER PROGRAMSo EARLY COLLEGE PROGRAMSo AFFORDABILITY o THROUGHOUT THE VALLEY (IN YOUR BACK YARD)

PAYING FOR COLLEGE• FINANCIAL PLANNING

(PRE STEP 1)• MARICOPA CC DISTRICT

FOUNDATION• MCCD PRESIDENTS’ HONORS

SCHOLARSHIP• FEDERAL FINANCIAL AID

(FAFSA)• TUITION REIMBURSEMENTS• COLLEGE CONNECT• COLLEGE SPECIFIC

(SMCC COUGAR SCHOLARSHIP)

UArizonaScholarships and Grants2020-2021

4 YEARS, 1 NUMBER:

GUARANTEEDTUITION PLANTUITION + MANDATORY FEESWON’T CHANGE FOR FOUR YEARS(EIGHT CONSECUTIVE SEMESTERS)

MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS

WILDCAT RECOGNITION

TUITION AWARD

WILDCAT EXCELLENCE TUITION AWARD

WILDCAT DISTINCTION

TUITION AWARD

DEAN’S EXEMPLARY AWARD

NATIONAL SCHOLARS TUITION AWARD

MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarship Universe

UA award-winning scholarship databaseMust be an admitted studentScholarships tailored to match youComplete an online profile to be matched hundreds of scholarships

UNIVERSITYGRANTS

PELL PLEDGE GRANTFills the gap to cover 100% of base tuition

●Apply to UA and file a FAFSA by March 1st●Qualify for any level of Federal Pell Grants●Hold Arizona residency●Be a domestic, first-time freshman●Attend the University of Arizona's main

campus in Tucson

Pell Pledge Grant ExamplesExample 1 – Base Tuition $11,300*

Wildcat Recognition Award $ 3,000

Federal Pell Grant $ 2,650

University Grant $ 3,650

Total Gift Aid $ 9,300

Total Base Tuition $11,300

Total Gift Aid -$9,300

Pell Pledge Grant $ 2,000

Example 2 – Base Tuition $11,300*

Wildcat Distinction Award $ 9,000

Federal Pell Grant $ 2,650

University Grant $ 650

Total Gift Aid $12,300

Total Base Tuition $11,300

Total Gift Aid -$12,300

Pell Pledge Grant 0

* Base tuition reflected here is based on the 2019-2020 Guaranteed Tuition Rate, subject to change upon approval by ABOR.

Questions?

19

NAU offers scholarships based on

merit, need, and background

Nau.edu/scholarships

Making the essay work for you!

Reasons to Write theScholarship Essay Some scholarships go unclaimed because

of lack of applicants.

Someone is going to win…why not you?

Everyone has a story to tell!

There are resources to help you with every stage of the writing process

Once you get started, the essay won't be as hard to write as you think. (Starting is the hardest part!)

Isn't scholarship $ worth a little effort?

Reasons why students don't write scholarship essays (and lose out on scholarships!)

You hate to write. You don't think you’ll win anyway. You don't think you have anything

to say. You don't think you can write very well. You can't get started (writer's block.)

Why is the Scholarship EssayImportant?

Scholarship decisions are made very quickly; you need to immediately make yourself standout.

The judges can read all the “facts” about you on the application; the essay is where they discover your heart and soul.

The essay is an introduction to who you are, what you value, how you see the world, what you hope to accomplish, and why you need the scholarship.

Provides an opportunity for you to stand out in a crowd.

Commonly Asked Essay Questions How will your study contribute to your immediate or long

range career plans?

What do you consider the single most important societal problem? Why?

Describe how you have demonstrated leadership ability both in and out of school?

Describe your most meaningful achievements and how they relate to your future goals?

Describe a challenging family or personal circumstance that has affected your achievement or participation in school, work or community activities. How did you overcome this challenge and what did you learn from the experience?

State any special personal or family circumstances affecting your need for financial assistance.

What Should I Say?

Think about this: What would the judgesfind memorable and/or unique about you?

Be positive!

Include concrete examples to illustrate larger themes. Don't just tell the judges that you are a dedicated student; show them through an example instead.

Concrete Examples

(Bad) “I am a very hard-working individual.”

(Good) “At my current job, there is a lotof down-time. Instead of just sitting around, I stay busy by dusting, cleaning, taking out the garbage, and doing other chores. I try to look for things that need to be done instead of waiting to be told what to do.”

What Shouldn’t I Say?

Your bad behavior, even if you have learned lessons.

Your travel diary, unless you have done community service abroad.

Excuses for failing grades or lack of community service, unless a clearly legitimate reason such as a major illness.

Your best jokes.

Controversial or divisive tirades.

Your great accomplishments presented in a bragging and arrogant style.

That Pesky Opening Paragraph… Recall the most cherished memory with your father figure. For

some it may be when he taught you how to ride a bike, for others it may be memories of him taking you out for pizza when mom said the family has to eat healthy, for others it’s the ability to confide in somebody that won’t judge or stop loving you because of the mistakes you have made. On my birth certificate I have the name the name of my beloved mother, but right above her name is an empty space where my father’s name should be.

Being part of a minority is very conflicting for me as I feel both empowered as a part of a Haitian minority community but also disconnected from my non-immigrant peers. Coming from a background of poverty in Haiti, I knew that, even at a very young age, I had to be a good student in order to succeed.

I’ve danced ballet since I when I was seven-years-old. But, even after almost eight years, I could still barely extend my legs as high as my peers nor could do as many pirouettes as them. My flexibility was incredibly subpar and I easily wore out my Pointe shoes, making them unwearable after a couple of months. After a humiliating recital, wherein my pointe shoe ribbons untied in the middle of our group performance, I all but gave up on dance.

Organizing the Essay Create an outline before you begin to

write.

A complete outline is the key to writing an organized, clear, effective essay.

Outlines can be formal or more casual—it doesn't really matter as long as you write one!

Your outline should include every key point you want to say in your essay.

Your OutlineI. Introduction

I. Attention grabbing first sentence / paragraphII. Brief explanation for openingIII. Thesis statement (address the prompt)

II. BodyI. Elaborate on your thesisII. Describe any obstacles you encounteredIII. Describe how you overcame these

III. ConclusionI. Explain how this experience mirrors your

audience and their values / beliefsII. Emphasize any lessons you learnedIII. Thank the committee reviewing your essay

Stylistic Concerns Adhere to all page, length, and font requirements.

Don't be disqualified for this reason!

Make sure you edit and proofread carefully.

Ask someone else to read your essay and give you honest feedback. Does this person laugh or cry?

Give yourself some time away from the finished essay before you submit the application.

Read aloud. You utilize several senses instead of justsight.

Keep it simple, standout from the crowd and speak withemotion/passion.

What Next? Practice your writing

Keep your grades up

Get involved in extracurricular activities, including leadership positions

Volunteer / internships on weekends and during the summer

Plan for a career

Save awards and honor certificates

Make college visits

Search for scholarships

Schedule an appointment with a College Connect mentor

Getting Started Exercise Take 5 minutes to discuss one of the following topics with

someone next to you:

o How will your study contribute to your immediate or long range career plans?

o What do you consider the single most important societal problem? Why?

o Describe how you have demonstrated leadership ability both in and out of school?

o Describe your most meaningful achievements and how they relate to your future goals?

o Describe a challenging family or personal circumstance that has affected your achievement or participation in school, work or community activities. How did you overcome this challenge and what did you learn from the experience?

We all wish applying for scholarships was this easy

Scholarship pep talk

Scholarships do go unfilled each academic year

Someone is selected to receive a scholarship- why not you!

Isn’t the $$$ worth a little effort

Use your resources- stop by the writing center for help with your essays

You are worth the investment

Beware of scholarship scams from organizations and websites that charge a fee, guarantee that you will receive a scholarship

Step 1- preparation Take a personality/career assessment to learn more about yourself

Explore personality traits to discover your talents and strengths

Develop your stand out story, experience or life changing event What makes you unique? What is an experience that defines you? When was a time you stepped out of your comfort zone? How has an experience impacted your goals and vision for yourself?

Step 2- Researching Ask your high school guidance counselor and teachers

Target scholarships at the institutions that you choose to attend

Inquire at your place of employment or parents employment

Outside organizations such as non profits, professional organizations in your field of study and religious affiliated

Overwhelming amount of information is available- beware of scholarship scams from organizations and websites that charge a fee

and/or guarantee that you will receive a scholarship

Step 3- Organizing Gather items needed to apply

Create a new personal/professional email for all responses

Save all academic transcripts and test scores as a pdf

Save variations of your personal essays in a word doc for revising Refer back to your thoughts on your unique story

Outline essays on academic goals, volunteer service and financial need

Ask for recommendation letters from people who have witnessed your growth Scan copies of letters and save as a pdf for easy submittal

Step 4- applying Set aside a dedicated time to apply for scholarships- same time each week

Finalized personal essays with help from teachers, guidance counselors, family and friends

Create calendar reminders for scholarship application deadlines- make the deadline two days or a week before the actual deadline

Apply with the end in mind- envision yourself on campus

Work with a buddy and set achievement milestones

Create a reward system for each scholarship application submitted

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