1. FUNDING YOUR EDUCATION
SCHOLARSHIPS

2. Financial Aid: Money for College
What is Financial Aid: All the programs that help students pay for higher education.
Who gives Financial Aid: Federal government, State Government, colleges and universities and private organizations.

3. Grants Loans Work Study Scholarships
Types of Financial Aid

4. Grants
Money you do not have to re-pay. They are normally based on financial need and tend to come from the federal and state government.

5. Loans
The money must be repaid. Usually low interest rate and flexible repayment plans. You may be eligible for loans whether or not you show financial need.
Unsubsidized vs. Subsidized

6. Work Study
This program allows you to work to earn money. Normally you will work part time on campus.

7. Scholarships
You do not have to re pay scholarships. Usually awarded based on merit and not financial need. For example you may receive scholarships because you get good grades, excellent athlete, perform community service, artistic. You may also receive money based on who you are: minorities, women, veterans, disables, religious groups etc.

8. Who funds Scholarship?
Usually scholarships come from private sources, such as corporations, foundations, non profit groups, churches, and the schools themselves. Usually you must apply for them separately from other forms of financial aid.

9. Types of Scholarships

10. Merit Scholarships
Scholarships typically revolve around this type of award. People who excel in academics are awarded a scholarship on the basis of their overall academic achievement. This may come in the form of top GPA, excellent SAT scores, and so on. These are highly competitive and may come in various forms.

11. Need-Based Scholarships
This type of scholarship is given purely on financial means. They are designed to fund the less-fortunate students in their academic pursuits. Scholarship committees look at various reasons for this hardship: Parents' income, number of siblings in school simultaneously, expenses, cost of living, etc.

12. Athletic Scholarships
Scholarships are popularly given to star athletes by universities to recruit them for the athletic teams. Many athletes complete their education free of charge, but also pay the price of overworked team sports. Usually full-scholarship athletes are recruited by "scouts" while in high school. You don't usually pursue this type of scholarship; it is given to you.

13. School-Based Individual Scholarships
Every school offers specific scholarships relevant to specifics from the university: donors, individual name scholarships, personal scholarships, and so on. Sometimes you have to apply directly to the scholarship, and other times, just by being accepted, you are placed in the bowl for possible scholarship awards

14. Full/Partial Scholarship
Many people look at scholarships as a whole and think that they sometimes cover everything. If you are lucky enough to receive a full scholarship, then yes, they cover living, books, and tuition. However, many scholarships are partial, meaning they may cover simply living, simply books, or part of the tuition. If you are awarded any type of scholarship, take it and run! They are prized, wonderful gifts, and you should feel honored to receive one.

15. Minorities
Women
Creativity Based
Unusual

16. Community Service
Field of Interest
Average Academic Performance
Military

17. Searching for
Scholarships

18. Websites www.scholarships.com www.fastweb.com www.zinch.com `

19. Other Scholarship Sources
Local ISD websites:
Blackboard
Community organizations
Non- Profit organization
Churches
Employers
Banks
Organizations or club Affiliation
Local government offices

20. College Resources College Website Financial Aid offices Career Centers
Professors/Coaches/Faculty members
Alumni Associations
Clubs/organizations
Other students
School newspaper and bulletin boards

21. Scholarship Application Process
Starting the
Scholarship Application Process

22. Obtaining a Scholarship Application
Visit the Scholarship Website
Write or ing the scholarship provider
Call the scholarship provider

23. Common components of the scholarship Application
Contact Information
College and Career Plans
Education
Extra-Curricular Activities
Achievement, Awards, Honors
Supporting Documents

24. Supporting Documents: Academic Transcripts
Academic Transcript: This is an official record of all your grades, some scholarship want the schools to mail the transcripts directly to the them, some schools charge a fee for transcripts.

25. Supporting Documents: Test Scores
Official SAT and ACT test scores: You can request test scores from the testing institution. Look online to find out how to request scores. You can also ask your high school to send your scores to the scholarship program

26. Supporting Documents: Personal Essays
Personal Essay/Statements: This is one of the most important parts of the scholarship application. It is a self portrait of you. It tells what your values, experiences, dreams etc. are. It also communicates your method of thinking, ability to communicate and write effectively. Your essay can make or break you. Scholarship essays and college application essays often cover the same topics. You can reuse the essays by revising previous essays and tailoring them to each individual scholarship.

27. Supporting Documents: The Resume
The main components of the scholarship
Contact information (address, phone numbers and addresses)
Education
Achievements, awards and Honors
Extra curricular Activities
Work Experiences: volunteer, research projects, internships, work experience
Resume Format

28. Supporting Documents: References
Who to ask to write a letter of recommendation
-people you worked with closely
-people who known you for a long time
-people who are well known
-People who have a positive opinion of you and your abilities
Start early- Give references plenty of time to write a good letter of recommendation three to four weeks is customary.
Keep track of references: Use a log
Scholarship Details- Give reference information about the organization awarding the scholarship and scholarship purpose, guideline, eligibility requirements, deadline and specific instructions.
Provide information about yourself to your references: college and career plans, interest, resume etc
Ask your reference for an extra copy for the recommendation letter: Keep for your records.
Send a “Thank you Note”.

29. Supporting Documents
Samples of Your Art work or Performance: Follow instructions of how to submit your work.
Auditions: Adhere to audition requirement.
Photographs: If you are asked to submit photos, choose professional photos.
Federal Income tax Information: Some scholarships are awarded based on financial need and the scholarship program may request a copy of you and your parent Federal Income Tax Return Form or Student Aid Report.

30. Completing the Paper Scholarship Application
Ensure that you read and follow the instructions.
If you have questions ask your counselor, pre-college advisor or call the scholarship provider.
It may take you several drafts to complete the applications.
Have someone look over your application.
After finalizing the draft, transfer the information to the original application.
Make copies of the application.
Keep the copies in a safe place.
Keep the original application clean and neat.

31. Completing the Online Application
You may need to submit an application online
Before you complete and submit the application, gather all the information you need.
If possible print out the application and complete it as a draft application.
Bookmark the scholarship provider web site so that you will easily find that website.
Again, have someone else look over your application.
If possible print a copy of the application for your records and then submit.
Keep in mind that you may still need to mail.

32. Putting your application package together
Ensure that your application package is put together in a professional manner and submitted on time.
Arrange the supporting documents in the order listed in the application instructions.
Type or print your name in the top corner of every page.
Use a large envelope to mail out your application.
Ensure that you use the right amount of postage to mail out your application if you need to mail it out.
Some scholarship providers do accept applications via hand delivery and fax.
If plan to hand deliver your application make sure that you dress and conduct yourself in a professional manner when you do so.

33. The Scholarship Interview
You many need to interview for some scholarships. Some questions are based on the information in your application package. Thus review your application draft package before the interview and be familiar with what is in your application.
Research information on the scholarship provider to learn more about their organization and background.
During your interview the provider will observe your overall appearance, abilities, career objectives, strength, and weakness etc. The interviewers may also invite you to ask questions. Practice via mock interview and have others give you feedback

34. Sample Interview Questions
What can you tell us about yourself?
Why should we award you this scholarship?
What are your favorite academic subjects?
What do you see yourself doing after college?
How are you involved in your community?
What are your short and long term goals?
What are your strengths and weaknesses?

35. Interview Tips Make sure you know where you are going ahead of time
Take a copy of your application package with you to the interview
Bring a portfolio of your work, list of activities, newspaper clipping with you
Arrive about 15 minutes before your interview time
Dress professionally
Carry yourself in a professional manner
Be yourself
Use a firm handshake
Make eye contact
Maintain good posture
Think over your answers before you answer
Show interest in the interviewers’ organization
Make sure you thank the interviewer for his or her time
After the interview send a thank you card or letter to the interviewers.

36. After Winning the Scholarship
Send a Thank you Letter
Avoid Senioritis
Notify your school’s Financial Aid Office and inform them of being awarded the scholarship or many times the scholarship provider may submit the scholarship check directly to the college
If you have specific questions about the disbursement of the scholarship contact the scholarship provider or the college
Make sure you know and follow the scholarship guideline for renewal (if it is renewable)
Make sure you know what you need to do to maintain the scholarship
Some scholarships may be renewable and may have certain conditions to renew
If you have unusual circumstances (such as sickness, death of a family member, family hardships, transfer to another school) contact your scholarship provider.

37. Scholarship Scams Scholarships that require money
Scholarship offers that claim everyone is eligible.
Guaranteed scholarships with small registration fees
Scholarships with no telephone number.
Scholarships with no mail drop for a return address
Scholarships that claim that they will do all the work
Scholarships that claim that you cannot get the information from anywhere else
Scholarships that use the un-claim myth claim
Scholarships that claim you are a finalist in a contest you never entered

38. Who to Contact to report Scams
National Fraud Information Center PO Box Washington, DC 20035
Phone number:
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Correspondence Branch Federal Trade Commission, Room 200 6th Street & Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20580 )
Council of Better Business Bureau 845 Third Avenue New York, NY

39. Sources Fast Web.com FinAid.org Education Grant.com
Getreadyforcollege.org
Scholarshipworkshop.com