Financial Aid Information for Seniors

SENIOR CHECKLIST

Scholarship Links:

www.fastweb.com - Register for free scholarship matches
www.fastaid.com - Largest private sector scholarship database
www.freshinfo.com - Free scholarship search & information
www.collegeboard.com - Scholarship search and financial planning resource
www.free-4u.com - Scholarships for ethnic groups and minorities
www.gmsp.org - The Gates Millennium Scholars Program

All About Preparing for Scholarships

Dates

What to Do

AUGUST-OCTOBER

Research scholarships to determine awards for which you are eligible.

Set up a timeline, listing awards in chronological order by deadline.

Spend some time thinking about your goals and aspirations; nearly all applications contain a question pertaining to your academic and professional plans.

OCTOBER-JANUARY

Most scholarship applications become available during this time.

Hint: Give your teachers and counselor at least 2-3 weeks notice when requesting letters of recommendation.

JANUARY-APRIL

This is scholarship season!

Most applications are due during these months

It is very important to visit your high school counseling office for scholarship lists. Apply for the local and area scholarships.

Most scholarships require:

A completed application form
A personal statement letter as to why you consider yourself a candidate
Brain storm by writing out short & long term goals
How can the scholarship help me accomplish my goals?
Why should I receive the scholarship?
Mention that you are a first generation college bound student
State your Educational goals
Two or three letters of recommendation from a teacher, advisor, employer,leader in your church, or a prominent member or your community.
Make copies of your personal data sheet and give them to the people who will be writing a letter for you.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 (The GPA requirements differ from scholarship to scholarship)
A copy of your high school transcript.

Top Ten Tips for Winning Scholarship Applications

TIP #1: Apply only if you are eligible
Read all the scholarship requirements and directions carefully and make sure you're eligible before you send in your application.

TIP #2: Complete the application in full
If a question doesn't apply, note that on the application. Don't just leave it blank. Be sure to supply all additional supporting material, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation and essays.

TIP #3: Follow directions
Provide everything that's required. But don't supply things that aren't requested—you could be disqualified.

TIP #4: Neatness counts
Always type your application, or if you must print, do so neatly and legibly. Make a couple of photocopies of all the forms before you fill them out. Use the copies as working drafts as you develop your application packet.

TIP #5: Write an essay that makes a strong impression
The key to writing a strong essay is to be personal and specific. Include concrete details to make your experience come alive: the 'who,' 'what,' ' where,' and 'when ' of your topic. The simplest experience can be monumental if you present honestly how you were affected.

TIP #6: Watch all deadlines
To help keep yourself on track, impose your own deadline that is at least two weeks prior to the official deadline. Use the buffer time to make sure everything is ready on time. Don't rely on extensions—very few scholarship providers allow them at all.

TIP #7: Make sure your application gets where it needs to go
Put your name (and Social Security number, if applicable) on all pages of the application. Pieces of your application may get lost unless they are clearly identified.

TIP #8: Keep a back-up file in case anything goes wrong
Before sending the application, make a copy of the entire packet. If your application goes astray, you'll be able to reproduce it quickly.

TIP #9: Give it a final 'once-over'
Proofread the entire application carefully. Be on the lookout for misspelled words or grammatical errors. Ask a friend, teacher or parent to proofread it as well.

Tip #10: Ask for help if you need it
If you have problems with the application, don't hesitate to call the funding organization