Simplify Your Life -- Tip #2

Go to your  closet and take out ten items you haven't worn in the past year, then schedule ten minutes to take them to the nearest consignment shop.  -- Elaine St. James

Important Scholarship Resources

From Fastweb Bulletin

Fastweb Free Scholarship Matching Service:  www.fastweb.com
FinAid's Scholarship Section: www.finaid.org/scholarships
Search for Scholarships on the Web:  www.finaid.org/websearch
Beware of Scholarship Scams:  www.finaid.org/scholarshipscams and
                                     
Education Tax Benefits: www.finaid.org/taxbenefits and
                                        www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p970.pdf
Federal Student Financial Aid:  www.fafsa.ed.gov
Eve-Marie's Website & Blog:  www.findingmoneyforcollege.com

What Are Judges or Scholarship Readers Looking For?

Tips for having your application read:

1. Be sure you meet the eligibility requirements.
2. Read all of the directions carefully.
3. Highlight important info like the deadline, amount of the award, contact and any checklist that may be provided.
4. Check for grammar and spelling.
5. Be sure to include all of the required documents.  The average scholarship will need the completed application form, three letters of recommendation, personal essay, transcripts, FAFSA and/or tax returns.  Incude ONLY what they request.
6. Do not fold or staple anything.
7. When you type your essay, be sure that you have enough white space.  Your margins (top, bottom, left and right) should be about one (1) inch.
8. Personally, I prefer to have the page justified -- right margin straight (no indents).
9. Place the documents in the same order as the checklist if one is provided.
10. Submit all of your documents in a 9 X 12 WHITE envelope.
11. Type the labels for the outside of the envelope.

Remember, that your application is the first contact with judges and it is IMPORTANT to make a good first impression.

Scholarships for Community Service

In an other week or so, I will be presenting information on the importance of  COMMUNITY SERVICE.  This has become an important factor when applying for scholarships AND for being accepted to a four-year college.  Although being a top student is important, it is not enough to get you the big scholarships and into the college of your choice.

• Segal Americorps Education Awards
• The Do Something Awards
• Comcast Leaders and Achievers Scholarships
• Discover Card Tribute Awards
• Echoing Green Fellowships
• The Heart of America Christopher Reeve Awards
• Kohl's Kids Who Care Program
• Samuel Huntington Public Service Awards
• National Caring Awards
• Youth Action Net 

Simplify Your Life #1

You know it's time for you to simplify your life when you're spending more each month then you make. -- Elaine St. James

Create a Scholarship Email

Once you start completing profiles for scholarships, you will be inundated with emails from banks trying to convince you that you need a loan and colleges wanting you to apply to their college or university.  A designated scholarship email will provide you with a filter.

When you create your new email, be sure that you select an appropriate name for your site -- it should be professional.  Although your personal email may be cute and funny, you don't want to give out information that shows you in a negative light.  Something like sober4@gmail.com might work against you when you are competing for a scholarship award.

Use something simple like firstname.lastname#227@gmail.com.  Give it some thought.

Most Prestigious Scholarships

Reach for the Sky!!

• Marshall Scholarships
• Rhodes Scholarships
• Winston Churchill Scholarship Program
• Harry S. Truman Scholarships
• Henry Luce Foundation Scholarships
• Morris K. Udall Foundation Undergraduate Scholarships
• Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship Program
• Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships
• Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest
• National Merit Scholarship Corporation
• Jack Kent Cooke Scholarships