Myths, Facts, and Helpful Tips Scholarships Myths, Facts, and Helpful Tips

Introduction & Agenda Scholarship Applications: Facts, & Breakdowns Scholarship Essays: Tips and Common Mistakes Scholarship Scams Resources

Only students with the best grades wins scholarships? FACT OR FICTION?

FICTION Students with better grades are more likely to win scholarships, but B and C students also have an opportunity to qualify.

Let’s Put A Number On It Though GPAs are not the only determining factor to win scholarships, chances to win a scholarship improve with a higher GPA Additionally, students with above- average SAT and ACT test scores are twice as likely to win scholarships then those with below average test scores. According to College Board 2/3 of private scholarships are won by students with above-average SAT and ACT test scores. 35 students 19 students The chart demonstrates the percentage of students who are awarded scholarships based on GPA. The breakdown is as follow: 54.5% (GPA 3.5-4.0) Win 30.0% (GPA 3.0-3.4) Win 8.1% (GPA 2.5-2.9) Win 6.2% (GPA 2.0-2.4) Win 1.3% (GPA below 2.0) Win The numbers in the bubble demonstrate the number of students that win out of 64-the same number of students that is in UB 5 students 4 students 1 students

Its Not All About Grades Less than 10% of private scholarships are based on academic performance. Every scholarship sponsor is looking for the students who best match their criteria. Instead of academic talent, they might be looking for artistic talent or athletic talent or even something a bit unusual. DUCK Brand Duct Tape Stuck at Prom Contest http://stuckatprom.com

Most scholarships are restricted to minority students FACT OR FICTION?

FICTION Though there are scholarships available specifically to minority students, the majority of scholarships are won by white, middle-class students.

Let’s Put A Number On It 10.5% 14.4% 9.1% 11.4% Though there is an increasing representation of minority students at 4-year colleges , minority students still represent 38.2% of the college population in comparison to white students who represent 61.8%. Therefore, the odds of winning a scholarship are 14.4% for White students compared with 11.2% for minority students. Other factors that contribute to the lack of representation of scholarships awarded to minority students include but are not limited to: sponsors’ interests and values, and specific criteria; scholarships tailored to specific majors or sports; preparedness 10.5% In this section we are trying to breakdown a myth. We want to emphasize that even though the numbers show that the majority of scholarships go to white students we also need to remind them that there are scholarships for everyone. 14.4% 9.1% 11.4%

There’s a Scholarship For Everyone http://blackstudents.blacknews.com https://hsf.net/en/scholarships/programs/ http://www.apiasf.org/scholarships.html

Only athletes win scholarships FACT OR FICTION?

FICTION Students are more likely to win private scholarships than athletic scholarships

Athletic Scholarships Receiving athletic scholarships is a great honor for many students. However, there are a few things to keep in mind: Athletic scholarships are remote Most high school athletic scholarship recipients hold a B to A- Average Full ride scholarships are scarce A verbal agreement is not an official agreement For more information: http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/the-college-solution/2010/06/22/7-things-you-need-to- know-about-sports-scholarships http://www.fastweb.com/student-news/articles/athletic-scholarships-who-gets-them-and-how- many-are-there http://www.cbsnews.com/news/8-things-you-should-know-about-sports-scholarships/ http://www.ncaa.org/student-athletes/future/scholarships

It is very easy to win enough scholarships to cover all college costs FACT OR FICTION?

Very few students win a completely free ride each year FICTION Very few students win a completely free ride each year

Let’s Put A Number To It Students and parents often overestimate their eligibility for merit-based scholarships and underestimate their eligibility for need-based aid. Therefore, it is important to apply to forms of financial aid by filling out the FAFSA application and searching for applicable scholarships. Scholarships are part of the plan for paying for college, but not the entire plan. Most students will have to rely on student loans, student employment and need-based grants, as well as scholarships, to pay for college. 42 students The chart demonstrates the percentage of students who are awarded full-ride scholarships. The breakdown is as follow: .3% Scholarships cover full COA 1% Scholarships cover 90% COA 3.4% Scholarships cover 75% COA 14.3% Scholarships cover 50% COA 66% Scholarships receive less than $2,500 The numbers in the bubble demonstrate the number of students that would win out of 64-the same number of students that is in UB Chances do increase on the type of university a student attends. For example 8.3% of students attending 4-year college versus 2.6% of students who attend a 2-year college 9 students 1 student 1 student 2 students

Only poor students win scholarships. FACT OR FICTION?

FICTION Students who are from middle-class income are more likely to win a private scholarships than low-income or upper-income

Not All Scholarships Are Equal Need-Based Scholarships Merit-Based Scholarship These awards are limited to students who can show financial need DON’T assume that your family does not qualify for a particular need-based scholarship until you know how financial need is defined These awards are based on your achievements, ambitions and potential The term merit is broadly defined and does not necessarily mean academic achievement. Family finances are not considered

There’s A Scholarship For Everyone TRIO SLC Scholarship Scholarships in the slide are all need-based. The TRIO SLC Scholarship has been available every year. Open to all UB Seniors. http://blog.prepscholar.com/how-to-win-a-bill-gates-millennium-scholarship http://application.horatioalger.org

Only HS student seniors are eligible to apply for scholarships FACT OR FICTION?

FICTION Students can apply for scholarships at every grade level, including kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school, & college

Research, Plan, Apply Many families wait until spring of the senior year in high school to figure out how to pay for college. But there are scholarships with deadlines in every month of the year. The deadlines tend to peak in the fall and spring, so a student who waits until spring of the senior year in high school will miss about half of the deadlines for seniors. JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC JAN FEB MAR APRIL MAY JUN Scholarships are winding down. Time to research! Scholarships open back up. Time to plan & update New scholarships open up. Time to begin & submit applications Scholarships deadlines Time to wrap up. http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/the-scholarship-coach/ 2014/01/16/follow-a-scholarship-application-calendar-in-2014

Searching & applying for scholarships is too much work, especially for small scholarships FACT OR FICTION?

The amount of work is minimal compared with the potential rewards. REALITY The amount of work is minimal compared with the potential rewards.

Let’s Consider MORE LESS EFFORT COMPETITION Applying for scholarships is hard, but then so is applying for college admission. It gets much easier after the first half-dozen applications, since the student can reuse and adapt previous application essays. No scholarship or essay contest is too small. Sometimes these are easier to win because some students don’t like them. Small scholarships can also add up. These scholarships add lines to your resume, making it easier for you to win bigger awards. MORE EFFORT LESS COMPETITION

Strategies & Tips For Winning Scholarships It’s a number game To win more scholarships, apply to more scholarships – but only if you qualify You can’t win if you don’t apply One in four students never applies for FAFSA – If you qualify, apply It gets easier after your first patch of applications Essays can be reused and tailored to each new application.

Strategies & Tips on Winning Scholarships Cont. PRIORITIZE your application deadlines and the expected value of the scholarship Use a calendar/planner/phone calendar and checklist to get organized Create an accomplishment resume/brag sheet READ & FOLLOW instructions Tailor your application to the sponsor’s goals ASK to be nominated

Strategies & Tips on Winning Scholarship Cont. Use a professional email address as: bob.smith97@gmail.com Clean up the content on your social media (i.e. FB, IG, Snapchat) Make a photocopy of your application before mailing it Send applications by certified mail If rejected, ask for the reviewer comments

Scholarship Essays

Scholarship Essay Writing Tips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yS2r3GWudc#t=4.352454

College Prompt or Scholarship Essay? Pick an experience from your own life and explain how it has influenced your development. COLLEGE Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story. Reflect on a time when you challenged a belief or idea. What prompted you to act? Would you make the same decision again? SCHOLARSHIP COLLEGE Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations SCHOLARSHIP Explain the importance of (your major) in today’s society. Choose a book or books and that have affected you deeply and explain why. SCHOLARSHIP COLLEGE

Writing a Winning Scholarship Essay Answer the essay question Use an outline to organize your thoughts Give examples to support your claims and be specific Write about your passions and interests Talk about your impact on other people Proofread your essay for spelling and grammar

Most Common Application Mistakes Missing deadlines Failing to proofread the application Failing to follow directions (i.e. essay length, number of recommendations) Omitting required information Not meeting application qualifications

Scholarship Scams Never pay for scholarship paper Never pay to have someone prepare the FAFSA Nobody can guarantee that you’ll win a scholarship Do NOT give out personal information like bank account numbers, credit card numbers, or Social Security numbers

Scholarship Resources

Scholarship Where Are You? Your high school has some great scholarships available at your college center Community Organizations (i.e. nonprofits) Community Businesses Local Foundations Prospective college campuses Internet Talk to your UB Coordinator

Key Scholarship Resources www.fastweb.com www.scholarships.com www.finaid.org/scholarships www.finaid.org/websearch www.finaid.org/scholarshipscams www.finaid.org/taxbenefits www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf

Top Ten Most Unusual Scholarships Scholarship for Left-Handed Students Duck Brand Duct Tape Stuck at Prom Contest David Letterman Telecommunications Scholarship Zolp Scholarships Patrick Kerr Skateboard Scholarship Scholar Athlete Milk Mustache of the Year Award National Marbles Tournament Scholarships Klingon Language Institute Scholarship National Beef Ambassador Program Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship

Top Nine Most Prestigious Scholarships Marshall Scholarships Rhodes Scholarship Winston Churchill Scholarship Program Harry S. Truman Scholarships Henry Luce Foundation Scholarship Morris K. Udall Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest National Merit Scholarship Corporation

Top Ten Most Generous Scholarships Intel Science Talent Search Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology NIH Undergraduate Scholarship Program Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Competition Davidson Fellows Intel International Science and Engineering Fair Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships Collegiate Inventors Competition Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship Gates Millennium Scholars

Top Ten Scholarships for Age 13 and Under National Spelling Bee National Geography Bee National History Day Contest Jif Most Creative Peanut Butter Sandwich Contest Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Christopher Columbus Community Service Awards Dick Blick Linoleum Block Print Contest Gloria Barron Prize for Your Heroes Patriot’s Pen Prudential Spirit of Community Awards

Top Ten Scholarships for Community Service Segal AmeriCorps Education Award The Do Something Awards Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarship Discover Card Tribute Award Echoing Green Fellowship The Heart of America Christopher Reeve Award Kohl’s Kids Who Care Program Samuel Huntington Public Service Award National Caring Award Youth Action Net

Top Ten Scholarships that Don’t Need an “A” US Department of Education AXA Achievement Scholarship Program Horatio Alger Association Scholarships Ayn Rand Institute Girls Going Places Scholarship Holocaust Remembrance Project Essay Contest Americanism Essay Contest AFSA National Scholarship Essay Contest Red Vines Drawing Contest Community Foundation Scholarships

Thank You Questions or Concerns? Contact Information: Birmingham Community Charter High School - College Center 17000 Haynes Street Lake Balboa, CA 91406 Phone: (818) 758 – 5200 ext. 5250 College Counselors: Rochelle Kronstadt Email: r.kronstadt@birminghamcharter.com Cynthia Cifuentes Email: c.cifuentes@birminghamcharter.com