Expanding Horizons: Scholarship Tips
Scholarship Tips
- Fill out the scholarship application - you have nothing to lose.
- The personal statement is important
- be sure to stand out: share something special about yourself
- take your time - it should be well written
- proof read, proof read, proof read - errors can be deadly
- Read the application - follow instructions. Don't ignore deadlines.
- Ask EARLY for letters of recommendation from
- school: faculty and staff
- community: club leaders, advisors, etc.
- someone who will actually write the letter
- Follow timelines. Doing so will ensure that your application
gets there on time.
- Sources:
- Educational Opportunity Centers:
- Ed Central - Worcester
- Boston Public Library - Boston
- College Financial Aid Office
- Internet
Sites (word doc)
- Student Support and Student Affairs Office
- Local home town/community
- Parents place of business
- Clubs and organizations
-
Determine what the scholarship is looking for:
- good academic performance
- this may be important, but is often not the only requirement
- community service
- this includes volunteer activities also
- special interests/talents
- athletics
- hardships/obstacles
- interests and talents - music, art, drama, etc.
- maybe you are a left-handed oboe playe
- For scholarship programs seeking diversity, now may be a great
time to highlight your uniqueness, e.g., race, gender, ethnicity,
disability, sexual orientation.
FINALLY......Give it a try - you have nothing to lose. These searches
can take up some of your time, but the potential "awards"
are worth it.
Scholarship Timeline
| January 1 - February 1 |
Do Taxes |
|
Research & Scholarships |
|
Request recommendation letters |
| February 1 - February 15 |
Reminders to letter writers |
|
Pickup Scholarship Applications |
| February 15 - March 1 |
Pickup recommendation letters |
| March 15 |
Many scholarship apps. due - "Don't Be Late" |
| April 1 - May 1 |
Track scholarship applications |
|
