A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE TO APPLYING
FOR FINANCIAL
AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Constantly:
Check your
school email and School Loop frequently for financial aid and scholarship
information. There is a lot of money out there but you have to be willing to
put in the time and effort to get any of it. It would be beneficial to help out
your parents with the costly expense that college brings.
Step 1: Talk to your parents about your plans for education
after high school. Be open with them about your wishes and listen to
their opinions and feelings. Discuss the financial implications of your plans
and be clear about your familyŐs financial situation. Be clear about what you
are truly willing to contribute.
Step 2: As you apply for colleges or trade schools, always
indicate that you are interested in financial aid or scholarships. If there is
no place to indicate this on the application, inquire about aid and
scholarships at the schoolŐs Office of Financial Aid. If you are considering an
athletic scholarship, your coach should make contact with the coaches or
athletic directors of the schools to which you are applying. Athletic
scholarships are very limited. However, there are non-monetary benefits that
are available: easier admission, preferential housing or registration, etc. If
you are applying
to private or out-of-state colleges, find out if they need the "CSS
Profile" (found on collegeboard.com) and if so, when is the deadline for its submission.
Step 3: Be sure your parents attend to the information night on the
"Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)" that will be held
at California High School in December. The workshop will assist you
in completion of the form that is the basis for many federal and state grants
as well as many college financial aid programs. Many schools and programs use
the information from this form even for non-need based scholarships. Some
private and out-of-state colleges require the "CSS Profile" mentioned
in step 2. We encourage all students to fill out the FAFSA application
regardless of income. You can be eligible for lower rate student loans. You
can start filling out the FAFSA application on January 1st. It needs
to be submitted by March 2nd.
Step 1: Scholarships come in varied forms. The college that
the student will be attending sponsors some of these scholarships. Some are
sponsored by private organizations or local or school organizations. The
requirements for scholarships are vary. Not all are need based. Some focus on
ethnicity, sports, leadership, community service, or special interest. The
Cal High Counseling Office sends out scholarship bulletins about every two
weeks to the studentŐs email, School Loop, and is posted on the Cal High
website. Beware of any scholarships that ask for money. We feel there is
something fishy about those. Go to the Cal High website under ŇCounseling
ServicesÓ and find the ŇColleges/Career Planning and ResourcesÓ site. It lists
other websites that have been beneficial to students who are researching scholarships.
Step 2: Many scholarships require letters of recommendation.
You should develop a resume that you can give the person you are asking to
write a letter for you. This should include a description of your academic
program, a listing of awards and honors, a detailed listing of activities at
school and in the community, including any leadership positions, and a summary
of work experience. You may set this up either chronologically (i.e. year in
school) or by categories (i.e. awards and honors, community activities,
etc.). This is the time to "brag" so be all-inclusive. Review
the resume with your family and friends to be sure that you included
everything. Make copies of this resume and (if done) a copy of your personal
essay to give to teachers or others who may need to write a letter of
recommendation for you. Also make copies of your transcript to give to those
individuals. Always give people advance notice (at least two weeks) when you ask them to write you a
letter. Make sure you give them a stamped addressed envelope to send the
recommendation in. Be sure to thank them after they write the letter.
Step 3: Some scholarships will want to know more about you
and ask you to write an essay about yourself or a particular topic. Below are a
few of the topics you might expect.
Start to draft a personal essay about yourself. This
is going to be the most difficult part of the application process so you should
start formulating ideas now. You do not need to actually write out an essay
until you have the exact instructions, but thinking about it and putting down
ideas can save you time later. Some of the essays used for the UC and/or your
private school applications can be used here. However, make sure that essay
actually answers the question or adapt it so that it does. Readers will
recognize a quick cut and paste essay.
There are generally three types of personal essays
that are asked for in scholarship and college applications:
(i)
The future goals statement: What is required here is a thoughtful projection into the
future. They are not only asking what your goals are, but why you have decided
upon those goals. Did an experience or person inspire you? Have you considered
your personal abilities and interests in making this decision? Are you aware of
what your goals entail as far as training/education? It is not expected here
that you know exactly what you will be doing in five or ten years, but that you
have given some serious thought to determining the type of career and related
education that you desire.
(ii)
The description of accomplishments statement: This is the most common and the most
difficult type of essay. What these types of essays are looking for is your
depth of involvement, commitment and motivation. What is not wanted is simply a listing of all your
achievements or awards (those are usually on another part of the application).
It is not necessary that you present a multitude of activities here. You should
discuss those things that you have done that are especially meaningful to you
and tell why they have meaning for you. You should use examples of activities
that show your commitment, ability, leadership qualities, or special talents.
You should note any situations that show how you met and overcame adversity,
hardships or handicaps. If there are events or persons in your life that have
profoundly influenced you or shaped your character, you should mention those.
(iii)
The revealing question: Some scholarships will ask you to answer a question that is
designed to reveal something about you indirectly. Such questions as
"describe a person who greatly influenced you" or "if you were
the President of the United States, what would be your major goal?" are
really asking about you. They are getting at your values, your ability
to express yourself, and your logical thought processes. You cannot really
prepare for such questions, since they vary so greatly. However, if you have
given some thought to the first two types of questions, you have a base on
which to draw.
Step 4: Ask your parents to explore the possibility of
scholarships being available from their employer, union, church or clubs.
Search the Internet for possible scholarships. A good source is
www.fastweb.com.
Be sure to check the deadline date set by the
college for receipt of the "Free Application for Federal Student Aid
(FAFSA)" and the "CSS
Profile."
If in doubt, ask! DonŐt miss deadlines. DonŐt get
discouraged by rejection. Be optimistic but realistic. Pursue your dreams but
have an affordable backup. Apply for all scholarships for which you are
qualified. You canŐt get what you donŐt go after.