Etiquette and the Scholarship Search
July 9, 2007
Today searching for scholarships is easy for students—the internet has made it so. With scholarship databases containing millions of dollars in financial assistance at your finger tips, like Scholarships.com, you can literally earn a scholarship from a business or organization with which you have no affiliation. Getting out of the car, opening the door, and walking in to the scholarship provider’s office to pick up an application is a method of the past because of the effort and time it involves.
Scholarship providers want thousands of students to have a chance at earning their scholarship, and so many choose to list their awards in databases like Scholarships.com to make their gifts available. Most have even gone so far as to encourage students to apply online. When you are applying for a scholarship, consider the things that the scholarship provider has already done to make the process easy for you and show your appreciation accordingly. Think about it- they haven’t even determined that you will be the recipient, and yet they have stretched to extraordinary lengths to make the chance at financial assistance easy for you to take.
When requesting information about a scholarship:
- Write a letter expressing your interest in the scholarship and request an application if the application is not available online.
- Look for answers to your questions about the scholarship online before making a phone call or sending an e-mail. Take the initiative to find the information in the materials they have made available to you because usually it is actually there.
- If the scholarship is discontinued, do not write unreasonable e-mails or letters expressing your contempt for the removal of the award. Scholarships are gifts and, as such, nobody owes you one. Move on to another scholarship and apply elsewhere.
- If you place a phone call to the organization, be patient, polite, and appreciative even if you are just requesting certain information about the scholarship. Thank them for offering the award.
When submitting an application:
- Follow the guidelines for submission that the scholarship provider has given you exactly. They’re considering giving you free money, comply with their instructions and pay attention to detail.
- Include a cover letter if the application is submitted by mail, unless the scholarship provider specifically requests that you don’t. Include a self-addressed stamped envelope with the correct amount of postage.
- Proofread any materials that are submitted along with your application and take any essays seriously. There is nothing that puts off a scholarship provider like an apathetic student applying for free donations.
When you receive the award: Send a hand-written note or an email thanking the scholarship provider. This is very important. Too often, as soon as the cash is in hand, students forget to acknowledge who gave it to them – please don’t let this happen. Scholarship providers are anxious to hear from you and excited that they are helping you attend college. The silence that falls when they hear nothing from a recipient after they have cut them a check for several thousand dollars is disheartening to say the least.
One year after you receive the award: Say thank you one final time if the award is not renewable. Write your scholarship provider and tell them about what their award has helped you accomplish in the past year, even if the award was small. Such a gesture will be greatly appreciated. If your scholarship is renewable you should still express your gratitude for their continued support and give them an update about your academic progress.
Thank you in advance for using proper scholarship etiquette. By doing so, you will help ensure that scholarship providers will continue to reward deserving students in the future and help another student like yourself attend college.
The Siemens Competition
June 27, 2007
Interested in science, math, engineering or technology? The Siemens Foundation is offering students an opportunity to compete for $100,000 scholarship!
The Siemens Competition promotes excellence by encouraging students to undertake individual or team research projects in science, mathematics, engineering and technology or in combinations of these disciplines. In 1999, the Foundation hosted the first national Siemens Competition in Math, Science & Technology. With its high academic standards, rigorous judging process and emphasis on authentic scientific research, it has quickly become the leading science and mathematics research-based competition for high school students in the United States.
Contact:
The Siemens Foundation
170 Wood Ave South
Iselin, NJ 08830
Phone:
877-822-5233
Email Address :
foundation.us@siemens.com
Application Deadline :
October 1, 2007
Maximum Amount :
See Description
Website Address :
http://www.siemens-foundation.org
Remember, there are millions more scholarships and grants at Scholarships.com, along with a huge resource section to help you deal with all phases of attending college including essay writing tips!
As a member of Scholarships.com, you could win cash prizes just for helping us spread the word about our free college scholarship search. All you have to do is enter up to ten of your friends’ names and email addresses. If they join the site, you’ll both be eligible for the $1,000 sweepstakes. The more friends you refer, the more entries you’ll get!
For more information, visit Scholarships.com today!
Scholarship Winners Dish on Secrets to Success
June 15, 2007
It may be difficult to convince yourself to write a scholarship essay. All of that work, and you’re not even guaranteed to win? I mean, for all you know, there are hundreds of people competing against you, and they’re all overachievers. Yes, yes, you know that it’s silly to work for months for this money and not give a scholarship opportunity a few hours. Still, it’s just that there are no guarantees. If only you knew what the winners were doing, things would be different. Well, we’re here to help with that one. We have gone through winners’ testimonials to find out the secrets of their success. Here is what we found.
Be Persistent. Most of the winners who have contacted us have received numerous scholarships. Coincidence? Probably not. To win numerous scholarships, you have to apply regularly. Stephanie Sylvester, a college student who has received several scholarships is a great example. “Just because I’m a sophomore in college doesn’t mean I’ve quit the scholarship search here at Scholarships.com,” she said. “I’m still searching and don’t count me out.” Stephanie began her search as a junior in high school and is still going strong. You don’t need to throw your hands up if you haven’t received a scholarship by the end of your senior year. Systematically apply, and you will see results.
Apply Early. The same hints that apply to college applications apply to scholarship ones. Applying early may significantly increase your chances of winning. Once deadlines draw near, applications may be skimmed through by overworked readers. You have a greater chance at having your essay thoroughly reviewed if you get a head start. Let your seriousness and responsibility shine through by getting things done early. Readers are likely to take notice.
Carefully Read Required Qualifications. This is crucial. Your time is precious and so is that of the judges who will be reading your submission. Your ability and willingness to follow simple instructions is often one of the first things scholarship providers will look for. Using your profile, Scholarships.com will help you find scholarships that apply to you. To maximize the amount of scholarships you qualify for, make your profile as detailed as possible. Nikki from Chicago had this to say on the topic, “Scholarships.com was incredibly helpful in my search for scholarships that fit my criteria. When I knew that I wanted to study abroad, I went to Scholarships.com and found so many scholarship programs for students like me.” We can help you too. If you give us the details, we’ll show you the scholarships.
Stay Positive. Many scholarships are open to all prospective college students, regardless of GPA. Just because you are an average student doesn’t mean that you cannot write an excellent essay. That is what numerous scholarship reviewers are looking for. When you are asked to write an essay on a given topic, do your best to give solid support for your thesis. Do some research and include personal thoughts as well as applicable facts. Scholarship readers aren’t looking for the perfect person, but they are looking for someone who has put obvious effort into their essay. You may feel average, but your attitude doesn’t have to be.
There are plenty of scholarships out there, for all students. By taking the advice of those who have been awarded scholarships, you may save yourself the trouble of learning what works and what doesn’t first hand. You can get a lot more than a penny for your thoughts, but you have to share them first.
Start your road to success by visiting Scholarships.com!
It’s true, after you receive your first scholarship the sky becomes your limit. You’ve succeeded in gaining recognition and praise from someone other than a family member. Bonus cash aside, earning such recognition is an impressive achievement that should motivate you to continue achieving other great things throughout your life. Getting to college is just the beginning. Once you’re there you begin deciding who you will become by focusing on points of interest in your life. Having a passion for your interest will always put you head and shoulders above the rest in class, in your social life, and in your career.
If you are just looking for easy money, the truth is, a scholarship may be difficult to obtain. But if you are attempting to distinguish yourself from your peers, set a standard for excellence, and ease the financial burden of college so that you can focus on your studies, you have a much better chance at succeeding. Before you begin your scholarship search remember that success is created, not found. Likewise, money is earned and, not surprisingly, typically follows success.
How to Create Success.
Research. Research the scholarship opportunities available to you. You should have a good idea about what your options are before you begin submitting. There are millions of scholarships available, but you won’t qualify for all of them. Gathering information about your options should help you prioritize the offers in which you are interested.
Prepare. Research should give you an idea of the criteria for the scholarships for which you qualify. If you fall short in any areas like community service or extracurricular activities, get involved while you have the chance, and establish a background in these areas. Additionally, build your writing skills. This is critical because most merit scholarships require that you respond to an essay question or submit a writing sample. Prepare a couple of solid essays on vanilla topics like your future goals or interests. These are good practice, and you might even be able to use them for some of the scholarships for which you are applying.
Organize. Many scholarships will require you to submit the following articles:
- Letters of recommendation from teachers or employers
- A small photo
- Cover letter
- History of community service
- School transcripts
- An essay
Have these items compiled ahead of time so that when you find a scholarship you are interested in you are prepared to apply as soon as possible.
Submit. Submit your portfolios to the scholarship providers in whose awards you are interested. If you choose to send your application by mail, be sure that the address is correct. Follow the guidelines, and be certain that you meet all of the criteria for a specific scholarship so that you don’t waste your time.
To start your scholarship search or to find more financial aid information, visit Scholarships.com
You could win $1,000 just for referring a friend to Scholarships.com.
As a Scholarships.com member, you’ve gotten free access to customized, detailed scholarship searches and other financial aid information. Tell your friends how they can do likewise and you’ll both receive a chance to win $1,000! Just enter up to ten of your friends’ email addresses, and for every one you refer who fills out a User Profile at Scholarships.com, you’ll both be eligible to win the $1,000 prize. Your friends will thank you for telling them about Scholarships.com (and giving them a chance at the prize), and you’ll be entered once for every valid referral you give.
For complete details, visit scholarships.com
