Amanda Skorich
Everyone wants free money, right? But… Applying for a scholarship is difficult! This self-reflective workshop will provide you with tips for building a successful application highlighting communication about your strengths and give you valuable resources for finding scholarships that apply to you. Come prepared for a workshop filled with activities to help you leave ready to click submit!
4. Facts about Scholarships
Many scholarships actually don’t have many applicants.
Boards are excited to give away their money.
If you apply once and don’t get it, it’s ok to apply again.
Applying should be free! Never pay a cent!
In 2007-2008, The National Postsecondary Student Aid Study
said that $2.91 Billion were awarded in Undergraduate
Scholarships
5. The Basics
Read the Whole Application
Research the Company
Set Calendar Deadlines
Apply for as many as you can/set a goal!
Apply for ones that are specific to you, not ones
anyone can apply for unless it’s very simple.
Proof Read
7. Did I Do That…?
What you will need to know about yourself
Activities/ Clubs you are involved in on your campus and
community
Occupation you would like to enter
Subject areas you excel at/favorites
Honors/Awards/Special Recognitions
Cumulative GPA
Your positive qualities and strengths
People who could write letters of recommendation
People who could proof your application
8. Strengths
Don’t Just List Your Jobs/Positions Held
You need to express what skills you
learned/used.
Why you are passionate about it?
Worksheet
• List your Jobs/Positions Held
Choose three skills to match up with each
9. Draw Them a Picture
How will you do that?
You don’t know them!
Share your personal stories.
Tell them the truth!
What’s different about you that is memorable?
Tell them things that they can relate to.
Ex:
Question: What is your favorite subject in college?
I love history class because I’m always learning
something new. My favorite history topic is the Civil War
because I like to participate in reenactments in my spare
time.
People can relate better to the above statement
rather than “History” being your answer.
Always think of a question as ending with, “why?”.
10. Letters of Recommendation
Components
Introduction
Explain that you are applying for scholarships and the
criteria you want them to talk about.
Express why you picked them to talk about those points.
Hard Ask
Inform them about the company they are writing the
letter to so they can keep that in mind while writing the
letter.
Give them the due date. If you are giving them plenty
of time, tell them the day before it’s due, just to make
sure.
List where/how to submit it.
Tell them when you want to know if they can do it by.
Thank them for their time, their patience with you, their
mentorship, their support, etc.
11.
12. There are Scholarships for Everything!
Check out these areas you could receive a scholarship from:
College Specific
Athletics
Academic
Departmental
Private Organizations
Corporations
Unions
Volunteerism
Religious
Gender
Profession/Career
Need Based
Parent/Family Member’s Employers
Local Festivals
Honor Societies
Michigan Llama Association Membership Scholarships
13. Check these out!
Careerinfonet.org/scholarshipsearch/
Search over 5,000 Opportunities
ScholarshipExperts.com
Helps you find scholarships that match your profile
FastWeb.com
Create a profile, scholarship opportunities sent to you based
on your provided information
Financialaidfinder.com
Provides many sources for financial aid, not just scholarships.
SFM Foundation Scholarship
For Children with Parents Injured on the Job
MSCSA McCormick and Leadership Scholarship
www.mscsa.org/scholarship
American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship:
afsascholarship.org
Applicants read about fire sprinklers and answer questions
using the book for a chance at $2,000
14. Apply!
Questions?
Amanda Skorich
Director of Development
MSCSA
1515 Robert St. So. West Saint Paul, MN
55118
(651)203-9462
askorich@mscsa.org