To gain a greater understanding of the scholarship process. To understand when a scholarship is right for you and you are right for.
Download ReportTranscript To gain a greater understanding of the scholarship process. To understand when a scholarship is right for you and you are right for.
To gain a greater understanding of the scholarship process. To understand when a scholarship is right for you and you are right for it. To avoid the pitfalls and traps associated with applying for scholarships. To successfully apply for and receive scholarship funds. Access to a computer A little planning A lot of research Time to prepare applications Academic Activity Skills Personal Characteristics Interests Major You Never Know High School – Guidance Counselor Colleges and Universities – check the EMCC Scholarship website often Library or Chamber of Commerce Internet – Updated Frequently Clubs – Whether or Not a Member Religious Organizations Employer – Yours and Your Parents Newspaper Apply Early and Often ◦ See College websites and scholarship information for deadlines ◦ Usually late Fall, early Spring of the year before you are to start school Apply ONLY if You Meet the Criteria Complete the Application Neatness, Spelling and Grammar COUNT! Read the application! Must you attend a particular school (or type of school) to receive the scholarship? Is there a GPA requirement? Is there a class level requirement (freshman, sophomore, etc.)? Is the scholarship based on your college major/area of academic emphasis? Scholarship Application – online or paper Personal Essay (s) Letters of Recommendation Academic Transcripts Erin Blomstrand English Professor Estrella Mountain Community College [email protected] Various Names Requirements and question(s)/prompts vary Opportunities to explain: ◦ Personal information ◦ Educational goals ◦ Professional history Admission committees rely heavily on essays ◦ Provides reasons why you should be awarded the scholarship ◦ Measures your ability to communicate, and think clearly and critically ◦ Indicates your ability to judge Persuade the committee that you are the best candidate for the scholarship Sets you apart from other applicants, test scores, and grade point averages What impression do you want your readers to have of you after reading your essay? • Unknown • Conduct an Audience Analysis Inventory • Adapt your writing to your audience Read the application question(s)/prompt Re-read the application question(s)/prompt Break down the application question(s)/prompt: ◦ Describe your most meaningful achievements and how they demonstrate your leadership ability, your contributions to public service, and your long-and-shortterm goals as well as how your education has contributed to who you are today. Utilize various prewriting techniques to help you reflect Techniques like: ◦ Free writing ◦ Graphic organizer ◦ Listing ◦ Discussion/Interview Return to the application question(s)/prompt Write a draft in which you answer the question(s)/prompt Ignore: ◦ Length ◦ Spelling ◦ Grammar ◦ Logic ◦ Transitions Focus on getting onto paper what is in your head Re-read the application question(s)/prompt Read your draft for ◦ Content ◦ Structure ◦ Consistency (logical progression of ideas) Make necessary changes Submit your revised draft to EMCC Writing Center or to a friend for review Double check grammar, spelling, and punctuation Double check application question(s)/prompt, length, and anything else required in essay Save essay in a Word format such as Rich Text Format (RTF) that is easily opened Congratulations! You have completed an essay that can be used for future scholarships or applications! Letters of Recommendation Marylyn Bradley Professor, Estrella Mountain Community College [email protected] Allows judges to learn about you/your achievements from a third party. Gives an expanded picture of what you offer as a scholarship candidate ◦ Academic and leadership accomplishments ◦ Personal character and work ethic ◦ Specific examples of engagement Attracts extra attention to your application. Read the scholarship rules for specifics Choose someone who: Has worked with you closely. Has known you long enough to write from real knowledge. Is relevant to the scholarship you have chosen. Has a positive opinion of you and your abilities. Has a personal writing style that is warm and supportive. NOT a family member or friend. Advisors or counselors Leaders of organizations where you have volunteered Mentors Religious leaders Teachers School principals and administrators Employers Read the scholarship requirements to decide who to ask. Letter must be from a current community Recommender should– give specific examples college faculty member who has had you in class and can speak about your academic and leadership abilities of how student has demonstrated intellectual capability and teamwork skills in the classroom. Letter must be from a mentor or supervisor Recommender should– who was directly involved in the activity that the applicant writes about in his/her essay. ◦ Focus on the merits and impact of the activity discussed in the applicant’s essay. ◦ If the activity discussed in the essay is a group project, discuss the role the student played in the project and its success. Give your letter writer information Your contact information The deadline for each letter you need The type of scholarship you're seeking Specific focus or instructions for letters Mailed applications only ◦ Any special forms ◦ SASE (self-addressed stamped envelopes) Give your letter writer information What do you want emphasized? ◦ Course of study ◦ Career interests ◦ Campus or community activities ◦ Honors and awards received ◦ Personal characteristics ◦ Anything you consider relevant to scholarship Remind writer when you last worked or studied with them Details are Important AS SOON AS APPLICATION IS AVAILABLE Submit Recommender name and contact information in your application Recommenders ◦ Receive instructions and access codes by scholarship site e-mail ◦ Submit online recommendation letter directly into student application ◦ Signed letters on letterhead may be acceptable *CHECK Follow-up to ensure letter has been received Ask Politely and Formally Start Early - 3-4 weeks lead time is best AS SOON AS POSSIBLE 2-3 weeks lead time is best ◦ 48-72 hrs minimum Clarify who will mail letter. ◦ If Recommender, provide SASE (self-addressed stamped envelope) ◦ If student, follow-up and mail early to avoid missing deadline Start Early – Ask Politely and Formally If online, If you’re mailing the application, If the writer is mailing the letter directly, ◦ Check your application 2-3 days before the letter is due to be submitted to make sure the letter has been received ◦ Send application early to avoid Internet traffic and time zone issues ◦ Check back 2-3 days before the letter is due to be mailed to make sure it is ready for you to mail ◦ Usually letter in sealed envelope with writer signature across flap – mail unopened ◦ Check back 2-3 days before the letter is due to be mailed to make sure it has been mailed or faxed Allow Time to Solve Problems before Deadlines More than just good manners Share results whether successful or not Positive relationships may result in other benefits or referrals later Build a Network of Supporters One way to think about the time spent researching scholarship opportunities is to consider you are getting paid for this research. If you spend ten hours finding and applying for a scholarship and you receive a $500.00 award, you just made $50.00 an hour! Even if you don’t get awarded a scholarship, you will have refined your research and writing skills. Once you have completed one application, you can save essay for future reference! Don’t waste your money on scholarship search services that promise to help you tap into vast amounts of unclaimed financial aid funds. There are many web sites that provide the same information for FREE. Apply for many scholarships with One Application Automatically matches you with scholarship that you may be eligible for Deadline March 22, 2015 http://mcccdf.org/apply-for-scholarships/ One application for all Maricopa Colleges Automatically matches you with scholarship that you may be eligible for Searchable Database https://maricopa.academicworks.com/ Alternative way to search for scholarships Online Scholarship Database Usually takes 15 minutes to sign up You’re matched with scholarships you qualify for Free service! http://www.schoolsoup.com Free Preparing for College and Scholarship Search Engine www.fastweb.com Free Scholarship Search Engine http://www.fastaid.com/ Free Preparing for College and Scholarship Search Engine Please go to the following website: http://www.estrellamountain.edu/ Click on Quick Links Choose Scholarships See “What is available right now at EMCC”