H O W T O E A R N “F R E E ” M O N E Y

SCHOLARSHIPS:

SCHOLARSHIPS

• WHAT are scholarships?

• WHAT types of scholarships are out there?

• WHEN should students apply for scholarships?

• WHERE can scholarships be found?

• HOW do you apply for scholarships?

• HOW do you navigate the process?

WHAT IS A SCHOLARSHIP?

• A gift of money that does not need to be paid back• Sometimes a check to student• Sometimes a check directly to the college or university

• Offered to students who meet certain requirements

• Majority will target college-bound high school students

• School or organization’s financial investment into a student’s potential to succeed, make a difference and embody their institution’s core values

TWO CATEGORIES OF SCHOLARSHIPS

• Merit-based• Awarded to

recognize outstanding academic performance, athletics, talents and/or leadership abilities.

• Need-based• Awarded to those

who demonstrate financial need.

TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS

• Also known as “Institutional Awards”

• Most common type of scholarship

• Based on a variety of factors:• Merit, financial need, intended major, ethnicity

• University-wide or particular college or major

• Honors Colleges/Programs within a college or university

COLLEGE/UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS

• Might be automatic when submit financial aid forms• School’s financial aid officer will have details

• Watch deadlines!!!!• Scholarship deadline might be BEFORE the

college application deadline• If you miss it, you will not be considered for any

institutional scholarships

INSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS—IN STATE COLLEGES

Washington State University

• University Achievement Award• GPA and SAT/ACT requirements $2,000 to $4,000 for 2 years

• Regents Scholars Program• Competitive merit scholarship, Nominated by high school• GPA and SAT/ACT requirements • All nominated earn $4,000 for 4 years• Distinguished Regence Scholar: • Full tuition and fees for 4 years • 10 Per Year

• WSU Visit Program Awards• Destination WSU: Come to visit in spring $1,000/year for 4

years

INSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS—OUT OF STATE COLLEGES

Boise State University

• Gem Scholarship• 3.6 GPA (AND)• SAT combined Reading and Math 1170 (or )• ACT 26• Waiver of entire full time nonresident portion of tuition for

out of state residents (about $12,000/year)• Renewable for 3 more years

INSTITUTIONAL SCHOLARSHIPS—PRIVATE COLLEGES

Gonzaga University• Freshmen Merit Scholarships• GPA and SAT/ACT and maintenance of good academic

standing• $3,500-$16,000 per year for 4 years

Seattle University• Trustee Scholarship -- $20,000/year• Campion Scholarship -- $16,000/year• Bellarmine Scholarship -- $12,000/year• Arrupe Scholarship -- $7,000/year• All Renewable up to 4 years

WESTERN UNDERGRADUATE EXCHANGE (WUE)

Regional Tuition-Reciprocity Agreement• 150 participating 2 year and 4 year STATE

FUNDED institutions • 150% Resident Tuition Rate• Example:• Resident Tuition Rate: $10,000• WUE Rate: $10,000 x 1.5 = $15,000 • Non-Resident Rate: $20,000• Savings: $20,000-$15,000 = $ 5,000 (per year)

WESTERN UNDERGRADUATE EXCHANGE (WUE)

• Number of WUE Awards Changes Each Year• Some institutions off all or most of majors• Some select majors• Check institutions profile on website

• Can Be Selective

• Most Do Not Require Financial Need

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR PARTICULAR FIELD OF STUDY

Professional organizations or companies affiliated with majors offer scholarships to entice

students into their field.

• Based on a student’s intended are of study

• Most common areas of study: education, health, science, technology

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENT ATHLETES

Traditional Athletic scholarships

• Sponsored by the college or university

• Very competitive• Must market self to recruiters• Get advice from coaches

• Run by the NCAA, NAIA or NJCAA• Be familiar with regulations• Grades important / minimum standards

SCHOLARSHIPS FOR STUDENT ATHLETES

• Athletic-Related Scholarships

• Sponsored by sports related companies, foundations, associations• Often connected with athletics some way

• Based on accomplishments in high school—not on playing at the college level

• Can find in same ways you find other scholarships

OTHER TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS

• National Scholarships:• More competitive• Examples:• National Merit Scholarship• Gates Millennium Scholars• Intel Science Talent Search• Coca Cola Scholars Foundation

OTHER TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS

• Local Scholarships• Northshore Scholarship Foundation• Northshore PTSA• WHS PTSA• NEOPA • Rotary Club or the Kiwanis

• Scholarships from:• Parent’s employer• Your Employer

OTHER TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships based on:

• Artistic abilities (art, film, dance, music)• Ethnic background • Medical disabilities (Cancer, Epilepsy, etc.)• Community service• Religious affiliations/communities• Environmental causes• Military• Union affiliation• Parents’ fraternity or sorority

TIMELINE FOR APPLYING

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F R O M S C H O L A R S H I P S . C O M

Large majority of scholarship deadlines are within the months of February-April.

FEB

MARCHAPRIL

January February

March April

May June

July August

September October

November December

When to apply for scholarships?

WHEN TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS?

• Year Round

• Majority of deadlines February, March and

April

• Search regularly

• Variety of grade levels

FINDING SCHOLARSHIPS

WHERE TO FIND SCHOLARSHIPS

• Check College and Career Center at WHS• Updated Monthly list• Online on the Career Center’s Website

• Check the website and Financial Aid Office of the school the student plans on attending (institutional awards)

• Check with local organizations and community foundations

WHERE TO FIND SCHOLARSHIPS

• Purchase a scholarship book• Not all scholarships are online• “The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2014” or “2014 Scholarship Book”

• See Senior Handbook: Useful Web Resources• Downloadable at the College and Career Center

Website

• Create profiles with online scholarship search sites• Billions of dollars of scholarships

INTERNET SEARCHES

• Student creates a profile• Narrows scholarships applicable to them• Some offer other college planning tools too• thewashboard.org• fastweb.com • scholarships.com• bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search• petersons.com/college-search/scholarship-search.aspx• scholarshipexperts.com• collegescholarships.com—list of sites• LIST in Senior Handbook

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH SERVICE

• Profile matches are key.• Look for sophisticated matching technology.• Beware of simple keyword search services. • Beware if only ask a few questions.

• Easy process• Check that it is easy to edit and save student’s profile.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR IN A SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH SERVICE

• Up to date scholarship information• Look for current academic year.

• A Focus on finding scholarships• Look for primary purpose is to help find scholarships.• Avoid overly commercial sites.• Avoid sites that compromise privacy.

HOW TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

HOW TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

• A lot like applying for college• Start with large number Narrow down so it’s manageable

and not overwhelming.

• Complete and Submit Applications• Essays• Recommendations• List of Achievements• High School Transcript• Standardized Test Scores• Financial Aid Forms (i.e.. FAFSA)• Parents’ Financial Information• Proof of Eligibility for Scholarship

NAVIGATING THE PROCESS

HOW TO NAVIGATE THE PROCESS

Get organized

• Pull together the necessary information. • Academic Information • GPA, SAT/ACT scores

• Recommendation letters• Personal essay• Resume: • Extracurricular activities, community service,

volunteer work, job, list of obstacles overcome

• College choices

HOW TO NAVIGATE THE PROCESS

Create a list of eligible scholarships

• Create a personal inventory:• Who are you? Where are you headed?

• Create a resume or list of accomplishments

• Create a list of affiliations

• You need to be a great self advocate

HOW TO NAVIGATE THE PROCESS

Set Timelines

• Create a scholarships calendar with deadlines• See Chart “Timeline for Applying for Scholarships”• From University of Portland

• Create a spreadsheet of deadlines and requirements

Excel Spreadsheet or Word Table

Scholarship Deadline Amount Letter of Rec Essay TranscriptTest Scores

(SAT or ACT) Other

HOW TO NAVIGATE THE PROCESS

Start applying

• Be sure to read the directions, qualifications, and

fine print carefully

Stay Organized

• Separate file for each scholarship• Organize in order of deadline

Accordion File Folder Systems

Mini-File Cabinets / Accordion Files

SCHOLARSHIP SCAMS

Illegitimate programs take advantage ofloose rules and regulations regarding scholarships.

Red Flags for Suspicious Scholarships:• Application fees – if there is a fee it should be VERY MINIMAL• Hard-to-Reach scholarship provider• No recent winners• Website woes• Unsolicited scholarship offers- you should have to take

part in an application process• Limited time offers• “Free Seminar” or “Candidate Review”

SCHOLARSHIP SCAMS

Red Flags for Suspicious Search Services:• “Secret” scholarships or “Exclusive” searches• “Guaranteed” scholarships

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

How to Investigate:• Better Business Bureau• Trade Commission • State Department of Consumer Protection

FINAL THOUGHTS

• Applying takes time and dedication.• Thousands of dollars that can be earned makes the effort

worthwhile.

• Stay positive.• Hard work and time will pay off eventually

• Remember: Determination might not be the most glamorous talent, but it works!

RESOURCES

Useful Scholarship Tips and Advice• Scholarships.com• Scholarshipexperts.com• Collegeboard.org• Petersons.com

• WHS Senior Handbook

THANK YOU!HAPPY SEARCHING!