Scholarship Search

STEPS FOR GETTING A SCHOLARSHIP

Start Early

• Start your scholarship search at least two years before you need the scholarship.
• Good grades increase your chances of getting a scholarship above other applicants.

Prepare

• Conduct a scholarship research in the beginning to help you obtain more scholarships.
• To increase your chances of getting a scholarship, participate extra-curricular in activities both in school and out of school. Well-rounded students have the best chance of receiving scholarships.
• Research unique circumstances or conditions scholarships such as being a foster child, having asthma, being a single parent or having a disability; and many clubs, organizations and associations also have targeted scholarships.
• Scholarship opportunities can also be found in other places including financial aid offices, libraries, local civic organizations, your parent employer, local businesses, your high school guidance office, the internet and bookstores have scholarship reference books.

Request Applications and Information

• After you collect all the information on the scholarships you are interested in applying, contact them to request an application.
• Give the organization ample time to send you the application before the deadlines of the application.

Apply

• Many organizations require such information such as a completed application, an essay, recommendations, and/or a resume from each applicant.  Give yourself ample time to gather all of the required information for the scholarships.
• Keep a calendar of deadlines so you can submit applications on time.
• Proofread application to check for spelling and grammar errors.  Ask a teacher or friend to also proofread your applications.
• Submit a neat and organized application in order to be very competitive with other applicants.