5 tips forScholarship Success

1. Don’t assume. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year you need aid. Many students don’t realize they may qualify for federal aid such as grants, scholarships, work-study or low-cost student loans. Learn more at www.FAFSA.gov.
2. Be prepared. Consider starting a “my future” file for important college planning documents like report cards, ACT and/or SAT scores, letters of recommendation and documentation of community service projects and extracurricular activities. These documents will come in handy when completing scholarship applications and tracking your achievements.
3. Do your research. Set up an appointment with your school counselor to talk about your scholarship options or contact your local financial aid office for free resources.
4. Do the “write” thing. Many scholarships require an essay, but don’t let that discourage you. Preparing scholarship essays can often be a fun experience because it gives you the opportunity to write about interesting topics like your future goals or a favorite service project. Also, statistically speaking, scholarships that require essays have fewer applicants, which means you have a greater chance of winning the prize.
5. Don’t miss the boat. Nothing’s worse than writing a great scholarship essay only to realize you’ve missed the deadline. Apply for as many scholarships as you can and keep track of the requirements for each one so you don’t miss out on free money by forgetting to include your transcript or submitting your application after the deadline.