1 The Search for Scholarships 6:45 p.m. Mon., Oct. 6 GOALS : Understand the basics about scholarships Learn how to find scholarship opportunities Know

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The Search for Scholarships

6:45 p.m. Mon., Oct. 6

GOALS:• Understand the basics about

scholarships• Learn how to find scholarship

opportunities• Know how to apply for awards• Maximize your potential for

getting scholarships• Get your questions answered!

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a cramping and oppressive lack of

resources (i.e. money)

Definition of PENURY:

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SCHOLARSHIP BASICSFinancial Aid 101

How is financial need determined?-Families provide financial data through FAFSA/Profile-The EFC (Expected Family Contribution) is calculated-The difference between college cost and EFC determines the amount of need

What kinds of aid make up a financial aid package?

- Grants (free $, usually need-based)- Loans (must be paid back)- Work Study (payment for a campus job)

- Scholarships

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SCHOLARSHIP BASICS“Sticker Price” vs. “Out-of-Pocket

Cost”Students could have a lower or manageable

“out-of-pocket” cost at a school with a higher “sticker price” because: Higher need will exist at a higher cost

school, and financial aid is proportional Less popular, less competitive, and smaller

schools may give more money Private schools might have more money to

give away Larger endowment schools give less merit

aid and more need-based aid Some schools guarantee loan-free

packages (some are “568” schools) – Davidson, Amherst, Williams

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SCHOLARSHIP BASICSCriteria, Types, & Sources of

Scholarships

• Criteria: Need-based vs. Merit/Skill-based• Types:

Local / Regional / State / National Nomination-based / Open application Renewable / Non-renewable Contingency-based (dependent on GPA, service, etc…)

Could be terminated Could require payback (i.e. scholarship loans)

• Sources: Federal, State, Local Government Colleges/Universities Private organizations

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SCHOLARSHIP BASICS

What scholarships CAN and CAN’T do:

Scholarship money can: Lower your unmet need Decrease loan amounts Decrease the need for work/study Lead to a decrease in other scholarships/grants

Scholarship money cannot: Diminish the EFC (Estimated Family

Contribution), unless that’s all that’s left of college costs

Provide personal profit above the cost of education (sum of awards cannot exceed college cost)

$20,000 (Cost of attendance)-$8,000 (EFC)$12,000 (Amount of need) - Aid package offered:

$4,000 Loans$4,000 Grants$2,000 Institutional Scholarships$2,000 Work study

If a student earns $5,000 in “outside” scholarships, a student will likely be able to use it by replacing the loans, and cutting the work study hours in half. 8

SCHOLARSHIP BASICSExample: How a scholarship affects college cost at one specific school

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HOW TO FIND SCHOLARSHIPS

Use a variety of resources

• Browse individual college websites for scholarships offered institutionally

• Browse websites and search programs (College Board, CFNC, FastWeb, etc….) for scholarships that can be used at any college

• GOOGLE for scholarships Don’t give up easily Spend time weeding through options and

following links• Review your school’s newsletter, website, etc…

(know how your school advertises opportunities)• Notify your counselor of interest in awards for

which nomination is required

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Ask questions & make phone calls

• CALL the college admissions or financial aid office when: You can’t find any info about their scholarships

(inability to find them doesn‘t mean they don’t exist!)

You want advice on how to make finances work out after you’ve received your aid package

• CALL or EMAIL the sponsoring organization if: A deadline date is not listed for a scholarship found

online (to be sure the competition is not outdated) The scholarship instructions or eligibility

requirements are unclear

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Be realistic in your approach

• Expect to spend time/effort searching• Know that no one can give you a personalized list of

scholarships for which you should apply• Increase your odds by applying for many awards

(multiple “small” awards can add up!)• Narrow your focus to awards for which you qualify

(eligibility exceptions are rarely made)• Be aware of scams or marketing ploys

Avoid application fees or consultation fees Watch for red flags (i.e. “guaranteed” awards,

awards to colleges you haven’t applied to, etc…) Educate yourself (Google “Federal Trade

Commission Scholarship Scams”)

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HOW TO FIND SCHOLARSHIPSUse strategy and creativity

• Apply for many locally sponsored scholarships, for which the applicant pool is smaller

• Consider military scholarship options• Consider application to smaller, private, lesser

known schools that might offer more aid• Keep an open mind to “labor-intensive”

applications Less students want to apply when a complex

application is involved A good writer can have a great edge in competing

when essays are required

• Remember that you can still apply for new scholarships AFTER enrolling in college

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Get out your Get out your smartphones and follow smartphones and follow

along!!along!!Google “ADHD Scholarships”

Out of these many results, let’s look at one of the awards we can find, and decide whether

or not to apply:

• Click on “Shire 2014 ADHD Scholarship Program”• Find either the application deadline or the link to the

applicationResults:Application Deadline: March 19, 20142015 Deadline: Not yet announcedAction to take: Sign up for updates, call the number listed, check website again in January

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HOW TO FIND SCHOLARSHIPSSample Web Resources

www.cfnc.org – Pay – Grants and Scholarships www.BigFuture.collegeboard.org – Pay for College

– Grants and Scholarships www.wsfoundation.org – Students - Scholarships www.maldef.org – Education – Scholarship

Resources www.scholarshipexperts.com www.fastweb.com www.scholarships.com

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HOW TO APPLY FOR AWARDS

Application Procedures

• College/University Scholarship Application Methods: Admissions application sometimes doubles as a

scholarship application Admissions application sometimes triggers an invitation

to apply for scholarship Scholarship application is sometimes a totally separate

process

• Scholarship application materials could include: FAFSA and/or PROFILE Application form Recommendations and/or essays Transcript and test scores Interviews Family financial data

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HOW TOAPPLY FOR AWARDS

Application Tips

• Read directions and follow them exactly !!!!

• Familiarize yourself with the program Background and purpose of the scholarship Who funds the scholarship What the organization does

• Treat essays seriously Review samples of “standout” essay responses

(many sources on the internet) Address the prompt accurately Determine your unique qualities, experiences,

perspectives, & goals Review essay writing tips Work on rough drafts

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Application Tips (cont.)

• Apply throughout the year Don’t wait for college acceptance to apply Look for applications to come out about 4-12

weeks prior to deadline• Prepare for interviews

Review sample interview questions Practice through mock interviews

Set up through school counselor or other adult Practice with an adult you do not know

Determine what is unique about yourself - What do you want the interviewers to know about you?

• Don’t let your parents do it for you! This can affect your opportunities and recommendations!

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VIDEO from FASTWEB How to make your application stand out

www.fastweb.com/content/scholarship-videos

Episode THREE


Application Tips (cont.)

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• **Academic excellence (rigorous curriculum, GPA/rank, SAT, grades)

• **Meaningful involvement in activities (clubs, sports, service, hobbies, enrichment, etc…)

AND• Professionalism (use formal instead

of familiar language, use black/blue pen instead of pencil, type instead of print when possible, etc…)

HOW TO MAXIMIZE YOUR ELIGIBILITY POTENTIAL

Know What Scholarship Programs Look For

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• Creativity and originality• Clear and mature communication of

ideas, and self-advocacy• Ability to present oneself with sincerity,

rather than in trendy or “cookie-cutter” packages

• Demonstration of self-awareness, curiosity, kindness, collaboration, etc …..

• Evidence of earned respect from adults (teachers, etc…)


Know What Programs Look For (cont.)

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Create and Enhance Your Resume

• Donate your time in service to others (volunteering is a BIG plus for scholarships!)

• Take a class• Learn a new skill• Job-shadow a career professional• Go to a “camp” or a seminar (leadership training,

etc…)• Find a job• Travel somewhere new and keep a journal• Become aware of current events• LET YOUR TEACHERS GET TO KNOW YOU!!!!

Use your time for productive and enriching activities, rather than for purely recreational activities.

One final tip: Have the parent/student discussion

For most of their school years, students are kept protected from

decisions and discussions about parent income and family financial status. However, it’s important to have a

candid family discussion about financial matters as related to realistic

college options. 22

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QUESTIONS?Downloadable Handbook (Reagan Senior Handbook)

Go to Reagan High website Click on Departments, then Student Services Click on Seniors Scroll down halfway, and click link “Download Senior

Handbook You will find handouts including “Scholarships 101,” “Websites:

A ‘Get Started List’,” “College Essay-Writing Tips,” “Interviewing Skills”

Online PowerPoint presentation

Go to Reagan High website, go to “Faculty/Staff Web Pages,” go to “Randy Norris,” then click on “Resources

and Handouts” after 10-8-14

Randy Norris, Counselor, Reagan High

[email protected]

Documents

1 The Search for Scholarships 6:45 p.m. Mon., Oct. 6 GOALS : Understand the basics about scholarships Learn how to find scholarship opportunities Know