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General rules on receiving a scholarship

The following is a list of helpful hints you need to follow in submitting scholarship applications. Students who are declared winners are usually the ones who do what is expected plus that little extra that distinguishes their application from others.

1. Complete applications neatly and accurately - type, unless it it specifies to be completed in the students' hand.

2. Follow instructions as outlined by the sponsor or agency to the "T".

3. Submit only complete folders. If you omit any item from the list of requirements or fail to respond to parts of the application form you may automatically disqualify yourself. Some scholarship applications include photographs, autobiographies, essays, letters of recommendation, etc.

4. Meet all deadlines. Do not wait and just get in "under the wire," but complete the application and submit it as soon as possible.

5. If your application dictates letters of recommendation, it is your responsibility to request teachers to send the letters to the counselors' office.

6. Do that little something extra special which will distinguish your application from others.

7. Apply for all scholarships for which you are eligible. Do not be selective. Some students will not apply if the scholarship has a small value. However, in the past many students have been recipients of several of these smaller scholarships which, when added together are most helpful in meeting college costs.

8. Do not not become discouraged, if you do not get the first scholarship for which you apply - (Remember the competition is high). In the past, Kerr scholarship winners have been those that have been persistent and have applied for several.

Scholarship Checklist

Develop a check list for each scholarship application.  Many scholarships ask you for the following information: transcripts, standardized examination scores, financial aid forms, parent’s financial information, scholarship essay, and letters of recommendation.  Some applications will require an interview.  Most applications also have a deadline.  Make sure you include the application deadline on your checklist.

   Ten Places To Look For Scholarships

1.     Investigate the possibility of scholarships that might be offered through the company for which your parent works. Many large companies offer scholarships for the children of their employees; your parent may inquire about this possibility through the personnel department of his/her company.

2.     If you have a special skill, talk to a teacher in that particular field. Athletic coaches, band or choral directors; distributive education coordinators; home economics, art, commercial, speech or drama teachers; and other specialists in particular fields may be able to help you.

3.     Lodges, unions, or clubs to whom your parents belong may offer scholarships. Inquiry should be made through the organization’s committee on education or through officers of the organization. You may belong to some organization which offers scholarships: DECA, Junior Achievement, 4-H groups, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Variety Boys Club. Inquire about these through local club sponsors and seek information in books about scholarship aid.

4.     Often, church groups offer scholarships. Inquire about this possibility of aid through your church, synagogue or temple.

5.     If you are the son or daughter of a veteran, investigate the possibility of aid through veteran’s organizations.

6.     If you have decided on a career, find out if there is an organized group of people in that business or profession with a scholarship to offer. The possibilities here are many. Teachers, engineers, chiropodists, doctors, nurses, printers, secretaries, and others have their professional organizations, which offer scholarships of various types.

7.     Check carefully the lists of scholarships available through tests. The Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT), is now given combined with the national merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT), which is given in the fall of the junior year. Although scholarships are comparatively limited in this nationwide competition, many colleges and scholarship programs request scored from the PSAT-NMSQT.

8.     Libraries have some books with information about scholarships and loans.

9.     Check the Senior Newsletter each month. Copies are available in the College & Career Center or the Counseling Office.

10.            PELL (Basic Grant Program). This program makes funds available to eligible students based on the financial circumstances of the family and do not have to be repaid.  Application is made by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

TIPS FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICANTS

·         Applications should be neatly typed.  Do not resort to “extra tiny” type to cram information in.  Use only allotted space or, if allowed, additional sheets of paper.

·         Make sure your application is perfect in every respect…spelling, grammar, no erasures or correction fluid.  Your application’s appearance presents a picture of you “worth thousands of dollars”.  High school applicants should seek recommendations from people who know them well.  The applicant’s record generally speaks for itself.  Recommendations should highlight the applicant’s achievements and place them in context for the reviewer(s).

·         A reference from the high school principal is generally better than one from a guidance counselor if she/he knows you well.  After all the principal must really think highly of the applicant if he/she takes time out of a busy schedule to expend the extra effort to recommend an applicant.

·         Be sure your references know you and are solid before submitting them.  The best reference is honest, enthusiastic, and clearly shows that the writer knows the applicant well.  A reference should say what the applicant is too modest to say for themselves.

·         Applications often seem rather “light” in terms of activities and achievements; there is nothing wrong with listing experiences and accomplishments starting from high school to date; in fact, this might enhance the application.

·         Extracurricular activities, after school work, and nonprofit labor are all of interest.  More important is what the applicant achieved, demonstrating leadership and accomplishment in a rich mix.  For example:  chess club, debate, football, supermarket clerk, church youth groups and volunteer firefighter.  A few endeavors are more important than mere membership in several activities.  What has the applicant done to make things better?

·         Be honest and open.  There is nothing wrong with experimenting in high school and college; that is why you are there.  Explain for example, why you changed your major from music to physics and what you learned in the process.  The more often you present coherent explanations and answers to the “great why”, the better your application will be.