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Scholarship Tips

This page is dedicated to helping students have success with scholarship applications.

The information provided is from www.fastweb.com, where you can sign up for more information and scholarship opportunities.

Scroll down for information on the following topics:

	10 Tips for Winning Scholarship Applications
	How Are Scholarships Judged?
	Earning Your Scholarship Letter of Recommendation
	Scholarship Apps: The Online Advantage
	Ace Your Scholarship Interview

10 Tips for Winning Scholarship Applications

Kay Peterson, Ph.D.

Before you submit your scholarship application, check out these tips, provided by scholarship sponsors nationwide.

Tip #1: Apply only if you are eligible.
Read all the scholarship requirements and directions carefully to make sure you're eligible before you send in your application.

Tip #2: Complete the application in full.
If a question doesn't apply, note that on the application. Don't just leave a blank. Supply all additional supporting material, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation and essays.

Tip #3: Follow directions.
Provide everything that's required, but don't supply things that aren't requested—you could be disqualified.

Tip #4: Neatness counts.
Always type your application, or if you must print, do so neatly and legibly. Make a couple of photocopies of all the forms before you fill them out. Use the copies as working drafts as you develop your application packet.

Tip #5: Write an essay that makes a strong impression.
The key to writing a strong essay is to be personal and specific. Include concrete details to make your experience come alive: the who, what, where, and when of your topic. The simplest experience can be monumental if you present honestly how you were affected.

Tip #6: Watch all deadlines.
To help keep yourself on track, impose your own deadline that is at least two weeks prior to the official deadline. Use the buffer time to make sure everything is ready on time. Don't rely on extensions—very few scholarship providers allow them at all.

Tip #7: Make sure your application gets where it needs to go.
Put your name (and Social Security number, if applicable) on all pages of the application. Pieces of your application may get lost unless they are clearly identified.

Tip #8: Keep a back-up file in case anything goes wrong.
Before sending the application, make a copy of the entire packet. If your application goes astray, you'll be able to reproduce it quickly.

Tip #9: Give it a final "once-over."
Proofread the entire application carefully. Be on the lookout for misspelled words or grammatical errors. Ask a friend, teacher or parent to proofread it as well.

Tip #10: Ask for help if you need it.
If you have problems with the application, don't hesitate to call the funding organization. Ask someone at your High School (teacher or counselor), they may be able to answer your question.

How Are Scholarships Judged?

Roxana Hadad

Wouldn't it be great to know what scholarship providers look for in an application? Take an inside look at how judges pick their favorites.

At First Glance

The judges' first evaluation of your application is a quick one—usually only 15 to 30 seconds. Most applications don't get past this quick but important first stage. Give your application one last review to be sure yours makes it through.

	Do you qualify? Nothing makes it easier for judges to say "no" than an applicant who doesn't meet the minimum requirements.
	Is your application neat? An application with coffee stains or messy handwriting won't make the cut.
	Are all of the required documents included? Be sure you're not leaving out references, transcripts, photographs or anything else the application requires.
	Are all of the questions answered? Scan your application to see if you've left anything out.

The Second Cut

After an application makes it past the first round, the judges separate "OK" from "great." The applications that make it through are those that have thorough and well-thought-out responses.

Make sure your responses are complete and answer the question. It's very important that your grammar and spelling are correct, so check and double-check all of your essays.

The Final Decision

This is the most difficult part of the process for judges. They've narrowed it down to a few highly qualified students. Now they must examine and compare every detail of the applications.

According to Mark Davis, President of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, judges pay special attention to:

· Academics—It's important to have a competitive GPA. However, providers also consider how challenging your course load and school are. They also check to see if you're taking the right courses to reach your goals and how well you did in those courses.

· Leadership—If leadership is part of the criteria they're looking for, judges will examine your activities. They’ll also look for a range of leadership positions.

· Service—Some providers are interested in knowing what community service you've done. They'll want to know if you've been continuous in your volunteer efforts. If volunteer work is required by your school, they'll look for activities that go above and beyond the required service job.

· Creativity—You can show your creative side if you play an instrument, write stories, paint pictures or act in plays. Demonstrate your ability by letting the judges know if you've won any awards.

· Special circumstances—If you've overcome any obstacles to achieve your goals, the judges want to know about it. Let them know how you achieved all that you've done, in spite of the roadblocks you've encountered.

It's not an easy job being a scholarship judge. Deciding who will receive an award is a tough decision. By knowing what's on the minds of scholarship judges, you'll have a better chance at being one of those winners.

Earning Your Scholarship Letter of Recommendation

Roxana Hadad

Your scholarship application is complete. All that's left is your letter of recommendation. Your work is done, right?

Actually, no. Even though you don't write the letter, you're responsible for making sure it gets written. And there's a lot you can do to ensure it's the best letter possible.

Who Should Recommend You?

The best recommendations come from people who have worked closely with you and who understand the award you're applying for. Teachers and professors are excellent sources, but also consider previous employers, coaches, clergy members and community leaders.

Pick someone who can address the award's special criteria or the sponsoring organization's particular interests. For example, the director of the homeless shelter you volunteer at would be a great reference for an award sponsored by a community service group.

Don't ask a family member for a recommendation. Their praise won't have the credibility to impress the admissions staff.

When to Ask for a Recommendation Letter

In most cases, you'll ask for recommendations as you need them; for example, when you apply for college or scholarships. But you should also plan ahead. Start by making a list of potential letter-writers, including names, addresses, e-mail and phone numbers.

Next, compile a file of letters before you need them, especially once you've started college. Ask for letters right after you've finished a course with a professor who likes your work. If you wait until you need the letter (maybe two or three years down the line), you risk losing it because the professor doesn't remember you.

Some colleges can help by maintaining a dossier, or official letter file. When requested, letters from your dossier are sent directly and (if you waive your right to see them) can carry more weight with the judges because they know the recommender was able to express his or her true opinion.

Make It Easy

The people writing your recommendations are doing you a favor, so make it easy for them by being polite and organized. Here's how:

	Provide ample time for the letter to be written. Give at least three weeks advance notice.
	Make a formal request. Schedule an appointment to discuss the recommendation fully.
	Supply your recommender with as much information as possible, including:

	Your correct contact information (your full name as it appears on the application, address, email and phone number).
	Materials/information needed for the application, including two copies of any forms the recommender is to fill out (for a "rough draft" and a "final draft"); the full title and description of the award; the correct name, title and mailing address of the recipient; a copy of your completed scholarship application/essay; complete instructions on how the letters should be handled; and correct deadline information.
	Information about your achievements such as your transcripts, your resume, and reminders of your past work with the recommender (e.g. a description of coursework, a copy of an essay or class project, etc.).

If you're concerned that your recommender has forgotten your letter, gracefully remind them by asking if they need more information.

Once your letter's been sent, be sure to send a thank-you note to your recommender.

It's a lot to keep in mind, but all this work should produce a great letter of recommendation. Which means you can ... whew! ... breathe easier.

Scholarship Apps: The Online Advantage

Chris Diehl

Audrey Martinko, a freshman at Ohio State University, won several scholarships and applied for most of them online. "It was a lot more convenient," she says. "The problem with paper is that you have to mail it. Things get lost. Sending it online was more secure."

Simpler. Quicker. More secure. It's no wonder each day, more sponsors make their applications available online.

Online Advantages

There are a myriad of advantages for online applications:

	Apply anywhere: Whether you're at home, school or work, apply anywhere you have an Internet connection.
	One click: In general, once you click your mouse to send your application, that's it - there's no further paperwork.
	Catch errors: Many online applications alert you if spaces are left blank, preventing you from sending an application that is missing required information.
	Immediate confirmation: Usually a page thanks you for your submission right away. If you submit your application via email, save a "sent" copy.
	Quick processing: Sponsors have the ability to score and select applications automatically, which means less time to find out if you're a winner.
	Save money: There's no charge for postage. Plus, you avoid paying overnight shipping costs if you need to submit an application in a hurry.
	Save time: Online applications enable you to complete more applications in less time. "Our application takes about 10 minutes to fill out," says Kristi Sherrill, executive director of the Education is Freedom Scholarship.

Sponsors Benefit Too

By accepting online applications, sponsors don't have to mail out applications, or manually process them when they come back, saving time and money.

"Paper costs a lot of money to process," says Greg Lee, the associate program manager at the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. "An average mailing can be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The money we save can be used to fund more scholarships, larger scholarships."

And sponsors find the increased convenience attracts more applicants. "We've found that the likelihood of a student sending in an online application is greater than when we offered only paper," Sherrill says.

Get Around the Disadvantages

The drawbacks to online applications for the student and sponsor are few, but they are significant:

	Computer or site malfunction resulting in loss of data
	Limited access to the Internet

Avoid the risk of lost data by applying early. The increased application activity just before the deadline can slow or shut down a provider's Web site.

Check if the provider's site enables you to save your information online. Texas A&M University offers an online application form that saves your information and allows you to make updates up to the deadline. "Our students love our online application process, because if they forget to include something, they can always come back and make changes," says Jody Ford, assistant director of financial aid at Texas A&M University.

If the provider does not offer this feature, print off the application and use it as a guide. Save your answers to a word processing document, when you're ready, copy and paste your answers to the online form.

If you have limited Web access, check for a public Internet connection at your local public library, community college or neighborhood Internet café. Also, ask the scholarship sponsor if they have a paper copy available or if you can submit your information via regular mail.

Tips for Success

Consider these other tips when completing your online application:

	Use proper, professional email etiquette: An electronic format doesn't give you license to be informal. Present yourself professionally. Don't send your essay from an email address that contains offensive or questionable references.
	Include the right attachments: Verify the required electronic form (plain text, MS Word, PDF, etc.).
	Mail additional items: Some providers may ask for hard copies of documents like transcripts, letters of recommendation or signature pages. Verify the postmark deadline for any such materials and mail the items before that date.
	Follow the directions: The answers to most questions are located in the scholarship rules. If there is any ambiguity, the earlier you can ask the sponsor to clarify their rules, the better.
	Spell and grammar check: This holds true for any kind of scholarship application - spelling and grammatical errors lead to easy disqualifications.
	Contact information: The application should have a place for you to enter it. Provide a mailing address, phone number and/or email address where you can be contacted a month or two after the deadline.

Ace Your Scholarship Interview

Lisa Portenga, scholarship coordinator for the Fremont Area Foundation

A good interview is vital to your scholarship application. It's an opportunity to supplement your credentials with the kind of impression that can't be put on paper.

But for most, interviews are a major source of stress. Keep the anxiety level under control by thinking ahead and following these tips from a scholarship expert.

It's a Conversation

To keep yourself relaxed, think of your interview as a conversation rather than a test. The interviewers are there to learn more about you. View the interview as an opportunity to discuss your goals, plans and concerns with experienced professionals.

Be Prepared

You can also decrease your anxiety level and improve your experience by anticipating the questions you'll be asked. Be prepared to discuss:

	Your background: your educational history, your employment experiences, family background and upbringing.
	Your academic achievements: class-ranking, grade point average, awards you have won or projects you have undertaken (science fairs, debate competitions, etc.).
	Your future plans: academic plans, career plans.
	Your hobbies and interests: extracurricular activities, skills, jobs, etc.
	Your financial profile and needs: income, savings, parent's resources, level of financial need, anticipated expenses, etc. Information about your financial resources is especially important if the scholarship is need-based.
	Your personal "value structure": the things you think are important in your life. Information about your personal value structure helps the interviewers determine whether you would serve as an appropriate representative for their organization.

Don't Forget the Basics

To keep your interview running smoothly:

	Be punctual. Check the interview time and location before leaving home.
	Dress appropriately. Select conservative, semi-formal wear: slacks and a jacket or a dress shirt for men; dresses, skirts or pantsuits for women. Never wear jeans or t-shirts to an interview.
	Make a good first impression. When you meet the interviewers, introduce yourself, make eye contact and use a firm handshake.
	Be brief and honest with your answers. Try to sum up your thoughts quickly. Interviewers will ask follow-up questions if they want to know more.
	Have some questions ready for the interviewers. Prepare these questions in advance by researching the sponsoring organization, school or company.
	Be prepared to reiterate the basic information you supplied on your application. Review your application before the interview to jog your memory.
	Don't be negative. Interviewers value the individual who perceives difficult situations as challenging and interesting.
	Don't be afraid to say "I don't know" or ask questions. It's better to ask for clarification than to miss an opportunity to produce an insightful answer.
	Don't chew gum, bite nails, smoke, yawn, stretch or slouch.
	Show your appreciation. Thank the interviewers for their time at the end of the interview. Afterwards, send a thank-you note.

Use these tips to prepare, and you may find the interview isn't so scary after all.