1. Strategies for Success
Scholarships:
Strategies for Success
Shae Deschutter &
David Grant Sinclair
Scholarship Counselor
University of Nevada, Las Vegas

2. SOME BRIEF BACKGROUND

3. Ever ask a student about scholarships?
It’s free money! I want one! Where can I get one?

4. What kind of expenses will a scholarship cover?
In general…
Tuition
Fees
Books & supplies
Transportation costs
Room & Board
Miscellaneous/personal

5. Scholarship Criteria Academic Financial need: FAFSA Talent
Community Service
Personal Characteristics
Knowledge Gap: Students may not be aware that each scholarship has a unique set of criteria.
HSF Message: Each scholarship is based on a unique set of criteria that may include academic merit, need, talent, service, personal distinctions and other factors.
Misconception: Scholarships are just for students with good grades.
HSF Message: While academic merit is certainly a criteria for many scholarships, and having a strong academic record will increase your scholarship options, there are some scholarships without academic requirements.
Notes:
Each scholarship has a unique set of criteria. Make sure that you qualify before applying. Some criteria include:
Academic: merit-based, such as GPA or class ranking; can be specific to areas of study
Financial Need: many scholarships take a family’s financial need into account and may require tax forms or the SAR from the FAFSA
Talent: arts, sports, music, writing, research, etc.
Community Service: help a cause; be an ambassador - show leadership potential
Personal Characteristics – gender, ethnicity, height, parent’s employers, home town, etc.
Other: There is even a scholarship for the best prom dress made out of duct tape.

6. Questions to Ask about Scholarships
Is it Renewable or One Time?
How long is it renewable? (semesters or credit hours)
What are the renewing criteria?
Is it Merit based?
Is it Need based?
Is it Talent based?
Is it Restricted or Unrestricted:
major, tuition, room & board, books, etc. ?
Tuition discounting vs. refund?

7. Major UNLV Scholarship Sources
Financial Aid and Scholarships Office
Grid
(Rebel Achievement, UNLV Excellence, Provost, Top 10%)
Valedictorian
WUE/Rebel Challenge (Out of State Only)
Faculty Senate (Approved by Faculty Senate; Donor Awards)
Departmental Awards
State Awards
Millennium
GearUp
External Awards

9. External Scholarship Scams
A legitimate scholarship provider wants to give money, not the other way around
Don’t give out a bank account number or social security number!
Free scholarship seminars tend to not be free
If it sounds too good to be true, GOOGLE IT and check: Better Business Bureau, Federal Trade Commission, etc.
Recent Michigan State Scam:
Send us fees & taxes for the scholarship!
Scholarship checks then bounce!
Student out “fees,” bank fees, & ID theft.

11. AWARDING SCHOLARSHIPS TO STUDENTS

12. Scholarship Rosters We prefer them electronically
Ensures delivery
Easier to track
We prefer them early (if possible)
We prefer them for the entire year (split evenly between fall & spring)
Please use most current forms
Please fill them out completely

14. Grants
Scholarships
Loans
Cost of Attendance

15. What about International &Undocumented Students?
The criteria usually limits availability.
FAFSA requirements (SSN)
Residential requirements
No FAFSA Requirements:
WUE/Rebel Challenge
Valedictorian
Millennium

16. SCHOLARSHIP STRATEGIES

17. Scholarships as Recruitment Tool
The Goal:
High Achieving Students
We want them to attend
We want them to stay
Luncheons
2 this year for High Achieving Students
Early Award Package Letters
Stacking Faculty Senate and Provost Awards

18. Our Grid Awards

19. The Luncheon Awards Rebel Achievement: $1,750 UNLV Excellence: $2,250
Provost: $3,250
Top 10% : +$1,000
Valedictorian: $7,350 / $11,9000
WUE/Rebel Challenge: +$10,440 / $11,000
Faculty Senate: $2,000 to $5,000
IS Top Package: $9,250!
OS Top Package: $22,900!

21. Maximize scholarship dollars
Costs for Undergraduates
That Community College
Awesome 4 Year State University
Some Expensive Private College
Tuition and fees
$3,000
$8,000
$15,000
Off campus room & board
$7,000
Books & supplies
$1,000
Transportation
Subtotals
$12,000
$17,000
$24,000
Less scholarships from school
- $1,000
- $7,000
- $9,000
Total Expense
$11,000
$10,000

22. In the end it’s about timing and perception

23. Questions?