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Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications
2/4/20
Mapping Your Future 1
STRATEGIES FOR MAKING THE MOST OF
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
1
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STRATEGIES FOR MAKING THE MOST
OF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONSFEBRUARY 2020
Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications
2/4/20
Mapping Your Future 2
STRATEGIES FOR MAKING THE MOST OF
SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS
3
Audio
• Attendee lines are muted.
• Call in using a telephone if you
experience sound quality issues and
you are using VOIP.
Technical issues
• Contact us at
you experience technical issues.
Handouts
• In the Handouts pane of the GoToWebinar
toolbar
• In the one hour reminder e-mail
Questions
• Submit your questions using the question
function on the GoToWebinar toolbar.
PRESENTED BY
Beth Ziehmer
Customer Care Manager
Mapping Your Future
4
Cathy Mueller
Executive Director
Mapping Your Future
Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications
2/4/20
Mapping Your Future 3
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Agenda Develop a college financial plan
Develop a scholarship application plan
Conduct research
Get organized
Prepare applications
Write the essay
Manage scholarships
Favorite advice
STEP 1: DEVELOP A COLLEGE FINANCIAL PLAN
Determine cost of attendance
Financial aid
Scholarships
Need-based aid
FAFSA4Caster or https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa/estimate
Loans:
How much debt can you take out?
Can your parents borrow a PLUS Loan?
Financial resources
Set a goal to cover unmet need with scholarships
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Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications
2/4/20
Mapping Your Future 4
AVERAGE UNDERGRADUATE COST OF ATTENDANCE
https://research.collegeboard.org/trends/college-pricing/figures-tables/average-estimated-undergraduate-budgets-sector-2019-20
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SCHOLARSHIP MYTHS
Unclaimed money
Free ride
Only high school seniors should apply
Small scholarships aren’t worth pursuing
Understand the effect on need-based financial aid
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Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications
2/4/20
Mapping Your Future 5
WHY STUDENTS DON’T COMPLETE APPLICATIONS
Time constraints
Don’t perceive the benefit
Doubt ability to receive
Too much work
Perception that won’t qualify
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AVOID SCHOLARSHIP SCAMS
Read the fine print
Understand the terms and conditions
Beware of “guarantees”
Protect personal information
Never pay to submit a scholarship application
Learn more at the scholarship scams website:
Federal Trade Commission – http://www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams
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Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications
2/4/20
Mapping Your Future 6
TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS
Consider all types of scholarships:
Academic merit
Athletic ability
Field of study
Ethnic background
Religious affiliation
Special interests
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INSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS
Likely have different scholarships for entering,
returning, transfer students
Research deadlines
Understand the steps involved
Plan for the future
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Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications
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STEP 2: DEVELOP A SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PLAN
Set up a designated e-mail for scholarship information
Research possible scholarships
Review requirements and deadlines
Brainstorm essay topics
Complete the FAFSA/CSS Profile
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FAFSA
Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Base application for various forms of financial aid (need based and non-need based)
› Federal
› State
› Institutional
› Private
Available October 1, 2019 for 2020-21 academic year
Fafsa.gov
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Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications
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CSS PROFILE
Schools can choose to use in addition to the FAFSA
Use SAT log in
Submit information for last two tax years
Fee to send to a school, but fee waivers are available
Use the Dashboard to check status of application, messages from schools
Student will list all parents, step-parents
School can request information from non-custodial parent, waiver available
Independent, graduate, professional students may still be required to submit parental information
https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org/
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SURVEY RESULTS FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION PROCESS
Individual scholarship applications
FAFSA
CSS Profile
Other:
All of the above
None - just a short web form - no essay required!
Individual scholarship applications and suggest all students do the FAFSA
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Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications
2/4/20
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STEP 3: CONDUCT RESEARCH
Begin your search early
Look locally
High school counselor
Family, friends
Clubs, employers
Library searches
Internet searches
Some sites have apps, such as Big Future, FastWeb, Unigo, Cappex, Scholarships.com, Niche.com
State education departments
Postsecondary institution
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STEP 4: GET ORGANIZED
Gather scholarship materials
Transcripts
Standardized test scores
Tax returns and financial information
Student Aid Report (SAR) from the FAFSA
Financial aid forms
Résumé
Accomplishments portfolio
Essays
Letters of recommendation
Any additional proof of eligibility requirements
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Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications
2/4/20
Mapping Your Future 10
RÉSUMÉ
Address, contact information
Education
Employment
Community service
Extracurricular activities
Awards/honors
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ACCOMPLISHMENTS PORTFOLIO
Résumé
High school transcript
ACT/SAT score
Awards
Writing samples
Articles from local paper
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Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications
2/4/20
Mapping Your Future 11
SCHOLARSHIP TRACKING SPREADSHEET
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COMPARING SCHOOLS
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Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications
2/4/20
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STEP 5: PREPARE THE APPLICATIONS
Follow directions
List all activities and honors
Neatness and grammar count
Make a copy
Meet deadlines
Choose references that know you well
Proof your application and essay
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SURVEY RESULTS FOR SCHOOL DEADLINES
September 15
For state grants, ASAP after October 1
March 30
April 1 for August/fall term, October 1 for January/spring term
Ongoing
Varies per scholarship program
Quarterly scholarship giveaway
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Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications
2/4/20
Mapping Your Future 13
REFERENCES
Select those who can provide specific examples of your character and
participation in activities
Give the reference:
Some suggestions of things to talk about
The deadline to complete
A copy of your resume
Send a nice follow-up reminder(s) to make sure the letter is completed/sent
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STEP 6: WRITE THE ESSAY
Prepare to answer questions on a variety of topics
Academic plans
Current events and social issues
Personal history
Achievements
Future plans
Make a strong impression, use a personal example
Showcase the positive
Make sure to tweak the essay to match the essay requirements
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Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications
2/4/20
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ESSAY TIPS
Read the directions carefully
Brainstorm
Make an outline
Brainstorm some more
Write a rough draft
Write a better draft
Don’t be afraid to start over
Ask for help
Use spell check and proofread carefully
Save your essay
Don’t be too generic
Target your essay
Give examples
Watch vocabulary
https://mappingyourfuture.org/collegeprep/essay.cfm
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SURVEY RESULTS FOR ESSAY WRITING
Be truthful and honest
Be creative and positive
Pick a subject that interests you
This is your opportunity to talk about you and not
just what you can do or produce
Focus on how you are the best candidate for the
award, based on the award criteria
Answer the questions they ask, and use pieces from
other essays you have written if they fit
Gather your thoughts and get assistance from a
writing center
Have 2-3 other educated people review it and
provide critical feedback
Take your time and seek input from parents, teachers
(English teacher!) and friends
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Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications
2/4/20
Mapping Your Future 15
INTERVIEW/PRESENTATION
Bring accomplishments portfolio
Dress professionally
Practice
Know the audience
Choose appropriate topics
Be knowledgeable about the organization
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STEP 7: MANAGE SCHOLARSHIPS
Understand all terms and conditions
Accept the award
Follow the requirements of the scholarship program
Understand how scholarship may impact other aid
Some scholarships will go directly to the student, others to
the school
Send thank you notes
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Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications
2/4/20
Mapping Your Future 16
FINANCIAL AID OFFERS
Also known as award letters
Student information
Cost of attendance information
Aid known by the Financial Aid Office
Scholarships
State aid
Federal aid
Accept or reject aid and return/submit
May complete electronically
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MANAGE MONEY
Use available dollars as efficiently as possible
Manage your money page: https://mappingyourfuture.org/money/
Start budgeting https://mappingyourfuture.org/money/budget.cfm
Calculators
Budget
Savings
Student loan repayment
12-step guide to financial success
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Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications
2/4/20
Mapping Your Future 17
TAX IMPLICATIONS
Scholarships are considered:
Tax-free: If used for tuition and fees
Taxable: If used for room and board, travel, and optional equipment
Institutions issue the 1098-T Tuition Statement that lists
payments and scholarships received
Topic Number 421: Scholarships, Fellowship Grants, and Other Grants
https://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc421
Mapping Your Future provides this information as a service to you.
Every tax situation is different and the regulations are complex. If you are uncertain about your rights and responsibilities,
contact a qualified tax advisor or visit the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website.
33
SURVEY RESULTS FOR FAVORITE SCHOLARSHIP ADVICE
Always be searching!
Apply early and apply often
Apply early and be creative in your essays, if required
Build a portfolio of activity involvement (student
groups, community service, volunteerism, etc.)
Don’t give up! Apply to as many as you can.
Have all of your information together: classes,
activities, volunteer work
Keep a good tracking system, hard copy and online
Scholarships make it possible to lessen your loan
debt. The work to apply for a scholarship now is
much easier than the work to pay your loans after
leaving school.
Take the time to do it, it is worth it.
Utilize the scholarships wisely, complete all classes.
Don’t wait until the last minute to get a tutor/help if
you need it.
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Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications
2/4/20
Mapping Your Future 18
ADDITIONAL INSIGHT FOR CURRENT COLLEGE STUDENTS
Apply for:
Scholarships in field of study
Departmental scholarships
Institutional scholarships
Watch deadlines
Complete the FAFSA
Comply with renewal criteria for existing scholarships
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SURVEY RESULTS FOR OTHER TIPS
Getting ready
Stay organized and write down all of the scholarships with due dates
Parents can help do the research and getting the students organized
Look for scholarships with items you use in your home
Never pay a fee for a scholarship search
Resources
Dollars for Scholars
https://www.goodcall.com/education/scholarship-guide/
Applying
Apply early. Read rules.
Earlier is better than later. Always be organized and know your individual college deadlines since they are the earliest of scholarship and grant deadlines.
Keep an open mind and apply for all of the scholarships you are eligible for.
Keep a record of your applications and respond to any inquiries you receive.
Apply for two scholarships a week, treating it like a part-time job.
Money management
Do two budgets as if you are getting your first job out of college—one to include student loans and another without student loans. See the difference it can make! 36
Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications
2/4/20
Mapping Your Future 19
RESOURCES
College Navigator
Federal Student Aid: studentaid.ed.gov/sa/
MappingYourFuture.org
Scholarship searches
FastWeb: www.fastweb.com/
GoodCall: www.goodcall.com/scholarship/
BigFuture: bigfuture.collegeboard.org/
mappingyourfuture.org/paying/scholarshipresources.cfm
Dollars for Scholars: https://public.dollarsforscholars.org/
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MAPPING YOUR FUTURE
MappingYourFuture.org
Guide to Life after High School
MappingXpress
Online Counseling
Member resources
Newsletters
Early Awareness E-News
Social networking tools
Twitter - @MYFinc
LinkedIn – Mapping Your Future group
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Strategies for making the most of scholarship applications
2/4/20
Mapping Your Future 20
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39
Cathy Mueller
Beth Ziehmer
(800) 374-4072
MappingYourFuture.org
Thank you for attending today’s webinar!
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