Scholarship Bulletin

A scholarship bulletin is generated primarily for the senior class.  On occasion, there will be scholarships available for the underclassmen.  The scholarship bulletin is updated on a monthly basis.  Hard copies of the bulletin can be viewed in 12th grade classrooms, the career center, counselors' and administrators' offices.  Students can access some applications online or in the Career Center, room 715.  Students must verify that they qualify for a specific scholarship before obtaining an application.  If you have any questions, please see Miss Arceo in room 115.

Article can be found online at http://www.fastweb.com  (under scholarships)

-- by Kay Peterson, Ph.D.

Before you submit your scholarship application, check out these tips, provided by scholarship sponsors nationwide.

Tip #1: Apply only if you are eligible.
Read all the scholarship requirements and directions carefully and make sure you're eligible before you send in your application.

Tip #2: Complete the application in full.
If a question doesn't apply, note that on the application. Don't just leave a blank. Be sure to supply all additional supporting material, such as transcripts, letters of recommendation and essays.

Tip #3: Follow directions.
Provide everything that's required. But don't supply things that aren't requested—you could be disqualified.

Tip #4: Neatness counts.
Always type your application, or if you must print, do so neatly and legibly. Make a couple of photocopies of all the forms before you fill them out. Use the copies as working drafts as you develop your application packet.

Tip #5: Write an essay that makes a strong impression.
The key to writing a strong essay is to be personal and specific. Include concrete details to make your experience come alive: the "who," "what," "where," and "when" of your topic. The simplest experience can be monumental if you present honestly how you were affected.

Tip #6: Watch all deadlines.
To help keep yourself on track, impose your own deadline that is at least two weeks prior to the official deadline. Use the buffer time to make sure everything is ready on time. Don't rely on extensions—very few scholarship providers allow them at all.

Tip #7: Make sure your application gets where it needs to go.
Put your name (and Social Security number, if applicable) on all pages of the application. Pieces of your application may get lost unless they are clearly identified.

Tip #8: Keep a back-up file in case anything goes wrong.
Before sending the application, make a copy of the entire packet. If your application goes astray, you'll be able to reproduce it quickly.

Tip #9: Give it a final "once-over."
Proofread the entire application carefully. Be on the lookout for misspelled words or grammatical errors. Ask a friend, teacher or parent to proofread it as well.

Tip #10: Ask for help if you need it.
If you have problems with the application, don't hesitate to call the funding organization.

Guess what? You're a "finalist" for a scholarship. And you never even applied! Too good to be true? Probably so. The sad truth is that there are scammers out there—posing as scholarship providers or scholarship matching services—who take your money and leave you with nothing. The good news is, you can protect yourself from scholarship scams by following these tips.

Know Your Scams

Scams come in many flavors, but there are a few typical moves you should be aware of :

·         The phony scholarship: You receive a notice about a scholarship that promises you cash. All you need to do is pay the registration fee. So why not apply? Because there is no award. Or there is one small award used to lure you in.

·         The phony scholarship matching service: Pay a fee, and they'll do all the work. They'll find information that you can't get anywhere else! Not only that, they will guarantee that you'll win. The outcome? You never hear from them again or (even more frustrating) you receive a list of inappropriate or defunct awards. And forget your money-back guarantee: The company is long gone.

·         The phony educational loan: a low-interest loan in exchange for an up-front fee. You pay the fee, but never receive the loan.

·         The phony free financial-aid seminar: a thinly disguised sales pitch for a bogus scholarship search or insurance offer.

Scam Warning Signs:

·         The fee. Your best rule of thumb: Financial aid should never cost you. Never invest anything beyond the cost of a postage stamp in your search for financial aid.

·         The "money-back guarantee"—especially if the company tries to "guarantee" that you will win an award.

·         Credit card verification. If they ask for a checking account or credit card number—for "verification" or to "confirm eligibility"—stop listening. Scammers use this ploy to get your financial information and then drain your account or run up charges on your credit card.