searching for scholarships

Searching for Scholarships

Stephanie Conrad – Private Scholarship DirectorOffice of Admissions and Financial AidUniversity of Arkansas at Little Rock

Searching for Scholarships

• You will find out how to:– prepare for the scholarship application

process– apply for scholarships– win scholarships

Searching for Scholarships

• You and your financial aid office– Create a relationship with the financial aid

advisors– Use prepared electronic resources– Review website and email for updates

Scholarship Search Tips

• Create a portfolio

• Use the web

• Apply for small scholarships

• Avoid mistakes

• Stay organized

• Never stop searching

Develop your Personal Brand• Write your story

• Key themes

• Inventory– Interests– Activities– Memberships– Community Service

Create your Scholarship Resume

• Education & Scholastic Achievement

• Experience, Training, and Employment

• Honors, Awards, Membership

• Leadership and Community Service

• Extra-curricular Activities

• Career Ambition: Statement of Goals

• References or Reference Letters

Sample Essay Topics• Evaluate a significant experience, achievement,

risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you.

• Discuss an issue of personal, local, national, or international concern and its importance to you.

• Explain your career goals and your plans for achieving them.

Essay Tips• Overcoming challenges

• Highlight accomplishments

• Think of the donor

• Make it personal

• Proofread!

Sources for Scholarships• College advisors

• Local businesses, churches, and community service organizations

• Local public libraries

• Employers and associations

• Business and industry

Web Searching• Over 32 million options with “scholarships”

• Refine your search– Use your personal brand key words

• Find 100 scholarships in a weekend– Put the application deadlines in a calendar– Apply for scholarships 1 hour an evening

Scholarship Information

• www.fastweb.com

• www.fundmyfuture.info

• www.scholarships.com

• www.collegeboard.com

• www.scholarshipexperts.com

Remember that for every ten scholarship

you apply for…you will receive one.

Arkansas Department of Higher Education Funding

How to Apply

• On-line YOUniversal application is available online at www.adhe.edu

• Students must complete the 2012-2013 FAFSA

• Deadline for most programs is June 1st

General Eligibility Requirements

• US Citizen or Lawful Permanent Resident

• Arkansas Resident

• Attend an Arkansas Institution

• No Income Requirement

• Complete both the YOUniversal Application and FAFSA

UALR Private Scholarships

• Application is available after January 1st. Forms can be completed online was http://ualr.edu/scholarships/private

• Application deadline is March 1st

• Essay is required

Local Scholarship Resources

• Arkansas Community Foundation

• Single Parent Scholarship Fund of Pulaski County

• Phyllis Keltner Scholarship for Women

Avoid Scholarship Scams• Anything with a required fee

• Asking for non-relevant personal information

• Guaranteed scholarship

• Receiving letters of potential scholarship you never applied for

• Free seminars with an up-sell

Scholarship Scams

http://ftc.gov/scholarshipscams

What pays?• Good grades

• Stay involved

• Good writing skills

• Stay organized

• Persistence

Never Give Up. Never. Never. Never. Never.In nothing, great or small, large or petty, never give up.

Winston Churchill Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

Commencement Speech Harvard University, 1941