Scholarships for High Scholarships for High School StudentsSchool Students

Presented by Presented by Neena AgnihotriNeena Agnihotri

College Counselor College Counselor James Monroe High SchoolJames Monroe High School

What Are Scholarships?What Are Scholarships?

Scholarships are forms of aid that help Scholarships are forms of aid that help students pay for their education.students pay for their education.

Unlike student loans, scholarships do not Unlike student loans, scholarships do not have to be repaid. have to be repaid.

How Are Scholarships How Are Scholarships Awarded?Awarded?

Scholarships are awarded based on the Scholarships are awarded based on the following criteria:following criteria:

The Basis of Financial NeedThe Basis of Financial Need Academic AchievementAcademic Achievement Community InvolvementCommunity Involvement Specific TalentSpecific Talent First Generation College StudentFirst Generation College Student

How Can I Get Scholarships For How Can I Get Scholarships For College?College?

The scholarship application process is similar to The scholarship application process is similar to the college application process.the college application process.

First, you should filter a large list of possible First, you should filter a large list of possible choices into a focused list that matches your choices into a focused list that matches your needs.needs.

Then create compelling applications that are Then create compelling applications that are supported by your achievements, essays, and supported by your achievements, essays, and recommendations.recommendations.

Searching For ScholarshipsSearching For Scholarships

Students should search for scholarships Students should search for scholarships on their own using web sites and on their own using web sites and scholarship guides.scholarship guides.

Some college scholarships and grants are Some college scholarships and grants are included in college financial aid packages included in college financial aid packages and do not need to be applied for and do not need to be applied for separately.separately.

Scholarship Application TipsScholarship Application Tips

Start your research early.Start your research early.

The more time you can put into your The more time you can put into your scholarship search, the more options you scholarship search, the more options you will have.will have.

You need time to research scholarships, You need time to research scholarships, request information and application request information and application materials, and complete your application.materials, and complete your application.

Read Eligibility Requirements Read Eligibility Requirements CarefullyCarefully

If you have questions about eligibility for a If you have questions about eligibility for a particular scholarship, contact the particular scholarship, contact the scholarship sponsors.scholarship sponsors.

Get Organized!Get Organized!

Create a separate file for each scholarship Create a separate file for each scholarship and file by application date.and file by application date.

Keep a calendar of application deadlines Keep a calendar of application deadlines and follow-up appointments.and follow-up appointments.

Scholarship RequirementsScholarship Requirements

Many scholarships require you to provide Many scholarships require you to provide the following:the following:

TranscriptTranscript Standardized Test ScoresStandardized Test Scores Parents’ Financial Information, Including Parents’ Financial Information, Including

Tax ReturnsTax Returns An EssayAn Essay A Letter of RecommendationA Letter of Recommendation

Proofread Your Applications Proofread Your Applications CarefullyCarefully

Use your computer’s spelling and Use your computer’s spelling and grammar check features.grammar check features.

Have a family member, teacher, Have a family member, teacher, counselor, or friend read your essays.counselor, or friend read your essays.

Don’t Leave Items BlankDon’t Leave Items Blank

Contact scholarship sponsors if you are Contact scholarship sponsors if you are not sure how to fill out any part of the not sure how to fill out any part of the application.application.

When in doubt, ask questions.When in doubt, ask questions.

Follow Directions CarefullyFollow Directions Carefully

Read directions carefully.Read directions carefully.

Avoid going over the length limit for the Avoid going over the length limit for the essay.essay.

Don’t send supporting materials that are Don’t send supporting materials that are not requested in the application.not requested in the application.

Make CopiesMake Copies

Be sure to make copies of everything you Be sure to make copies of everything you send.send.

If application materials are lost, having If application materials are lost, having copies on hand makes it easier to resend copies on hand makes it easier to resend your application quickly.your application quickly.

Double Check Your ApplicationDouble Check Your Application

If you are reusing material (such as a If you are reusing material (such as a cover letter or essay) from another cover letter or essay) from another scholarship, check to make sure you scholarship, check to make sure you haven’t left in any incorrect names or haven’t left in any incorrect names or blank fields.blank fields.

Don’t forget to sign and date your Don’t forget to sign and date your scholarship application.scholarship application.

Get Your Application In EarlyGet Your Application In Early

You miss out if you miss deadlinesYou miss out if you miss deadlines

If you need to mail the scholarship If you need to mail the scholarship application, consider using certified mail.application, consider using certified mail.

Scholarship Search EnginesScholarship Search Engines

www.fastweb.comwww.fastweb.com A comprehensive scholarship search A comprehensive scholarship search

engineengine With his site, you can match scholarships With his site, you can match scholarships

that fit your specific criteria.that fit your specific criteria. You will be notified when new awards, that You will be notified when new awards, that

match your profile, are added to their match your profile, are added to their database.database.

Scholarship Search EnginesScholarship Search Engines

www.collegeboard.comwww.collegeboard.com

Lists 2,300 private scholarships, contests, Lists 2,300 private scholarships, contests, internships, and loans for undergraduatesinternships, and loans for undergraduates

Scholarship Search EnginesScholarship Search Engines

www.finaid.orgwww.finaid.org

Another comprehensive scholarship and Another comprehensive scholarship and financial aid sitefinancial aid site

Scholarship Search EnginesScholarship Search Engines

www.collegeanswer.comwww.collegeanswer.com

Scholarships and tools that help families Scholarships and tools that help families compare affordability of different collegescompare affordability of different colleges

Scholarship OpportunitiesScholarship Opportunities

The College Office has up-to-date The College Office has up-to-date scholarship for high school students.scholarship for high school students.

Scholarships are updated regularly, so Scholarships are updated regularly, so come in monthly to get an updated come in monthly to get an updated scholarship list.scholarship list.

Scholarship ScamsScholarship Scams

Never pay for a scholarship or grant! Never pay for a scholarship or grant! Remember, scholarships and grants are Remember, scholarships and grants are freefree money. money.

Scholarship ScamsScholarship Scams

If you hear these lines from a scholarship If you hear these lines from a scholarship service, you may be getting duped:service, you may be getting duped:

• ““The scholarship is guaranteed or your money The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back.”back.”

• ““You can’t get this information anywhere else.”You can’t get this information anywhere else.”

• ““I just need your credit card or bank account I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship.”number to hold this scholarship.”

Scholarship ScamsScholarship Scams

• ““We’ll do the work for you.”We’ll do the work for you.”

• ““The scholarship will cost money.”The scholarship will cost money.”

• ““You’ve been selected to receive a You’ve been selected to receive a scholarship.”scholarship.”

Scholarship SummaryScholarship Summary

Remember, nothing in life is free. You Remember, nothing in life is free. You need to work for the rewards in life.need to work for the rewards in life.

Follow the tips presented tonight to help Follow the tips presented tonight to help offset your college costs.offset your college costs.