2.  Where do I look?  What are they REALLY asking for?  Recommendation Letters  Applications DO’s and DON’TS  The Follow Up  Examples

3.  Family Connection  Accessible through Blackboard  Opportunities approved by Fairfax County  Fastweb.com  Create a profile  Scholarships are emailed to you  Finaid.org

4.  College or university website  Be aware of deadlines  Extra application needed?  Do I need the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)?  College/university alumni associations  Local chapters  Parents’ employer, social organizations, volunteer organizations, banks, etc.

5.  Scholarship applications  Basic personal information  Transcript-Official or unofficial  GPA Requirement  SAT Scores  Essay or personal statement  Letter(s) of recommendation  EFC (Expected Family Contribution) from FAFSA  Resume Volunteer service Extracurricular activities

6. Read the entire application before starting  Things to look out for:  What are the GPA & SAT/ACT requirements?  What are the other requirements, ethnicity, involvement in a sport, organization, etc?  How many recommendations do I need? From who?  Is there an essay requirement? If so, what is the topic? How long does it need to be?  How do I submit? To the Career Center? To the sponsor? Via email, mail, both?  What is the deadline? Postmarked by? Arrive by? All materials? Only the application?

7.  Who do they want recommendation letter(s) from?  Teacher, Coach, Boss, Counselor, Principal  Ask in advance (at least two weeks)  Don’t be afraid to tell the recommender what needs to be addressed Recommended!

8.  Example  An educator or team of educators from your school must write a student recommendation consisting of three separate paragraphs on the following three (3) topics:  1. The applicant’s reading activity (both required and voluntary)  2. The applicant’s attitude toward learning and leadership ability  3. The applicant’s scholastic work ethic, motivation, and achievements Each paragraph should be 50-100 words. Please note: Recommendations must be signed by the educator and be included in the application packet-do not send recommendations separately.

9.  Read all requirements before starting***  Type whenever possible otherwise print legibly  PROOFREAD  Ask recommenders ahead of time (two weeks)  Submit before the deadline  Plan ahead if you need materials from other people, letters of recommendation, signatures, etc.  Pay attention to submission guidelines: to Career Center, to sponsor, mail, email, etc.  Make copies for yourself

10.  Scratch out (always submit a clean application)  Submit after the deadline  Submit more than they’re asking for  (If they ask for 2 letters of recommendation, only submit 2 letters of recommendation)  Expect to obtain a letter of recommendation in a day

11.  Follow and/all guidelines for receiving money  Provide information promptly What school you are attending Student ID number at that school Address to the student accounts/Bursar’s office  Pay attention to renewal guidelines, if applicable  Example: must maintain a 3.0 GPA, must be a full time student, etc.  WRITE A THANK YOU NOTE!!

12.  Society of Professional Journalists Essay Contest Amount: $1,000 Due Date: March 8, 2012 (Postmarked by)  Requirements Currently enrolled as a high school student in 9-12 Essay: 300-500 words on “Why is it important that we have news media that are independent of the government?” Contest Entry Form signed by a teacher

13.  Holocaust Remembrance Project Holocaust Remembrance Project Amount: $2,500-$5,000 Due Date: April 19, 2012  Requirements Currently enrolled as a high school student in 9-12 Resident of the United States Essay: No more than 1200 words on prompt provided Do not include name on essay Submission must be online

14.  College Access Fairfax College Access Fairfax Amount: $1,000-$2,500 Due Date: April 13  Requirements GPA 2.5 or higher at the end of Junior Year Be a senior in high school Enroll full time (minimum of 12 credits or equivalent) in an accredited college, career or technical institution Must be a resident of Fairfax County or City May not hold a non-immigrant visa Recommendations –TWO –From guidance counselor, a teacher, your employer or other member of community (Both must be received by College Access Fairfax before you can submit this application. You will be notified via email once we receive each recommendation.

15.  Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Foundation, Inc. Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Foundation, Inc Award Amount: $2,000 Due Date: Postmarked by Friday, March 9, 2012  Requirements o 2.5 GPA or higher o 350 word essay o Graduating High School Senior o Documented school or community service o Acceptance into a 2 year or 4 year college o Official transcript of grades o At least two (2) letters of recommendation o Limited to students attending Fairfax schools o

16.  Esperanza Esperanza Amount: $5,000-$20,000 Due Date: April 1, 2012  Requirements  Must be born outside the U.S. or have 2 parents born outside U.S.  Must be a graduating senior at a high school in D.C., VA, or MD  Must enroll full time at an accredited public college or university in the 2012-12 academic year  Two letters of recommendation  Official high school transcript and SAT or ACT score report (if selected as a finalist)

18. Questions?