SCHOLARSHIPS

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Who couldn't use a few extra dollars?

 

While most colleges and universities offer merit-based scholarships only to their top admitted students, those dollars are usually reserved for admitted students with the very highest test scores and grades, or for students with exceptional talent needed by the school. It is rare for most typical students to receive full-ride scholarships to college.

 

Begin your scholarship search in 9th grade! There are millions of scholarship dollars available from non-college/university sources that every student should apply for! Each year, foundations, employers, religious organizations, service organizations and municipalities work hard to raise money so they can give it away as scholarships to deserving students! It's up to students and their families to aggressively search and apply for these opportunities beginning as early as possible!

 

Scholarships help fill in the financial gaps between merit money and federal financial aid offered by schools. Ask your BRACE Advisor how to access the exclusive NovaBRACE Scholarship Bulletin!  And check out this website for some great scholarship search tools. Log into the Scholarship List on Xello for a list of many currently available scholarship opportunities. And there are many more! Ask your employer, church, temple or mosque, city or favorite retailer if they offer scholarships in your community. Google search "scholarships for high school students," and include your specific interest, talent, disability or location!

 

Of course, there are no guarantees, but one: If you don't apply for scholarships, you won't get any!

 

Nova High School students: Scholarship transcripts are always free! 

 

Tips on Winning a Scholarship courtesy of FastWeb.com:
 

1. Start searching for scholarships as soon as possible. Don’t wait until spring of your senior year in high school to start searching, or you’ll miss half the deadlines. There are many scholarships available to students in grades 9, 10 and 11, not just high school seniors. There are even scholarships for students in grades K-8. Continue searching for scholarships even after you are enrolled in college.

 

2. Answer all of the optional questions on a scholarship matching web site for about twice as many matches.

 

3. Use a free scholarship matching service like Fastweb.com. The Fastweb database is updated daily, and the site will email you notifications of new scholarships that match your personal background profile.

 

4. Look for local scholarships on bulletin boards near the BRACE or Guidance offices, or the public library’s jobs and careers section.

 

5. Apply to every scholarship for which you are eligible. Pursue less competitive scholarships, such as small awards and essay contests, since they are easier to win and the money adds up and helps you win bigger scholarships.

 

6. Don’t miss deadlines. Use your cellphone's calendar and create a checklist to get organized.

 

7. Tailor your application to the sponsor’s goals. Read and follow the instructions carefully.

 

8. If you have difficulty writing essays, try recording yourself as you answer the question out loud, and transcribe the recording later. Most people can think and speak faster than they can write or type. Create an outline afterward to organize your thoughts.

 

9. Personalize your essay and be passionate. Don't hold back when writing about adversity! The scholarship readers won't know your story unless you tell it completely. Write about something of interest to you. Make your application stand out from the crowd. Talk about your impact on other people. Give examples and be specific.

 

10. Google your name and make sure you have a professional online profile. Use a professional email address, such as firstname.lastname@gmail.com. Clean up the content of your Facebook account, removing inappropriate and immature material.

 

11. Use a word processor like Word to write and save your essays. Then copy and paste them into the online scholarship application! You'll discover that many essays are similar and that you can tailor your essay for many scholarship applications.

 

12. Proofread a printed copy of your essay and the application for spelling and grammar errors.

 

13. Scan, copy or make a screenshot of your application before submitting it. If you mail it, send the application by certified mail, return receipt requested or with delivery confirmation if it isn't going to a P.O. Box address.

 

BEWARE OF SCHOLARSHIP SCAMS!!!

 

Every year, several hundred thousand students and parents are defrauded by scholarship scams. The victims of these scams lose thousands, if not millions, of dollars collectively on an annual basis according to multiple sources. Scam operations often imitate legitimate government agencies, grant-giving foundations, education lenders and scholarship matching services, using official-sounding names containing words like "National," "Federal," "Foundation," or "Administration."

 

NEVER PAY TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS!! If you need money, why would you pay to get it?

 

Here are some signs of a scholarship scam:

 

"The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back"

No one can guarantee that they'll get you a grant or a scholarship. Refund guarantees often have conditions or strings attached. And you should never have to pay for scholarship information.

 

"You can't get this information anywhere else"

There are many free lists of scholarships available. Research scholarships online or at the library, but don't pay someone to do the work for you. Try our free Scholarship Search to start.

 

"I need your credit card or bank account number"

Some agencies claim that they need your credit card or bank account number to "hold the scholarship." Never give out this information.

 

"We'll do all the work"

Although the offer is tempting — especially during a busy time like senior year — don't be fooled. There's no way around it. You must apply for scholarships or grants yourself.

 

"The scholarship will cost money"

Applying for a scholarship generally does not cost money. Only a few legitimate scholarships ask for a small application fee. If a scholarship requires a fee, do some research to make sure it's not a scam.

 

"Millions of dollars in scholarships go unclaimed every year"

Few scholarships go unclaimed. The fact is, nearly all available financial aid comes from the federal government or from colleges.

 

The facts on scholarships

• You should never pay for a scholarship search. There are many free ones.

• Organizations like businesses, clubs and churches usually fund private scholarships for students who belong to a certain group or meet certain requirements.

• These institutions want the funds to go to qualified students. They don't keep the money a secret.