Scholarship+Information

This is a page that can be very helpful to any student considering going to college. College is expensive and this page will offer you advice and examples of how to apply for scholarships to help you reduce the expense of your future college expense.

Before we discuss how to apply for scholarships let's take a look at some valuable information. As you work on your Senior Checklist use the information and links below to research what you need for your reflection.

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 * First student loans**: Student loans are are loans that you can take out to pay for part of your college education. You will be limited to how much you can borrow so be aware of that as you look at the colleges that you might want to attend. This is not free money, it is money that you will pay back and it will have an interest amount connected to it. Students sometimes can borrow too much money and are then obligated to pay back the money for a much longer time. It is important that you only borrow money to pay for actual college expenses. There are stories where students borrow the maximum and then use it to buy cars, and flat screen TV's or just go shopping. This money can become very expensive overtime so be very careful and only use it for your actual education expenses. Before you can apply for loans, grants, or scholarships you need to fill out the **FAFSA**. (Free application for student aid)=====

Helpful websites:
 * MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT PAY MONEY UP FRONT TO APPLY FOR FAFSA!**

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=State Grants & Scholarships=
 * Next up Grants**: Grants are payments provided by the school or government and are free money, it is usually a needs-based program. If you come from a family with a lower income, or several students in college, you might qualify for a grant. This type of payment does not need to be paid back, it is still important that you be conservative when you use this money, if you have money left at the end of a semester, might wisely help reduce the next terms possible needed loans.=====
 * MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT PAY MONEY UP FRONT TO APPLY FOR GRANTS!**

I Can Succeed

As with applying to college, the scholarship essay can either make or break your chances of winning. This guide outlines the steps you need to take to ensure that your essay gives you the best chance of winning. And winning the scholarship is, after all, what it's all about! Let's get started.
 * How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay**

We're the leading online resource in finding scholarships to help you pay for school.
 * Fast Web**

Scholarships can make a difference They're not just for freshmen, jocks, and geniuses. Billions of scholarship dollars are available and Scholarship Search can help you find the right ones for you. Plus, you can win $1000 when you register.*
 * Salliemae**


 * Scholarship Search**

Wondering how you will find the college scholarship money to pay for your dream college? We can help!

 * FastAid**

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The world's largest and oldest Private-Sector Scholarships, Graduate Scholarships, Worldwide Scholarships, Fellowships, Grants and Free Undergraduate College Scholarship database. 30+ years of College Scholarship Research, Scholarships Constantly updated. =====


 * Collegenet**


 * FinAid**


 * Collegeboard**


 * CollegeAnswer**

[|College Scholarships.org]

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 * Now Scholarships:** Scholarships are money streams that you apply for and they can be offered by several sources. Some colleges offer scholarships and they can be need based, or academic based, or both. Your high school will also have several scholarships available, and private organizations and people have scholarships available. Make sure that you spend time with your high school counselor to find out the scholarships available through your school. Many school counselors have websites available with the scholarships they over see. In addition; outside sources have scholarships available. Make sure that you are proactive and search for scholarships and apply to all. Many times scholarships are not paid out because someone did not apply for the scholarship. Follow the suggestions below and search all web sites available.=====
 * MAKE SURE THAT YOU DO NOT PAY MONEY TO APPLY FOR A SCHOLARSHIP OR TO SEARCH FOR A SCHOLARSHIP.**

**Iowa Scholarships and Grants**
1. Apply for far more scholarships then you think you will need. 2. Keep very good track of which scholarships you have applied for, and any results that you hear about a scholarship.3.3 3. Create a resume, include all jobs, volunteer activities, and school organizations 4. Create a beginning scholarship essay. All scholarships should have their own scholarship essay, but if you start one then you can create additional tailored essays. 5. Create a letter to share with your references, these are teachers and other important people in your life that can off a positive statement about your qualifications for the scholarship. The letter will need to be tailored for the scholarship and the person you are asking for the letter of recommendation from. 6. Write thank you letters!!!! Thank the scholarship committee, thank the people writing your recommendation letters, thank the people that are trying to help you. If you receive a scholarship write a thank you immediately to thank the committee for the scholarship. Let all involved know how much this will help you with your future education. 7. Keep a copy of everything that you send off for each scholarship, including all letters. Put dates on everything so you know when you sent it off. 8. Create a way to track the scholarships that you are working on. (see uploaded example)
 * Fastweb
 * College Board Scholarship Search
 * Scholarships.com
 * Peterson's Award Database
 * Scholly (smart-phone app)
 * HOW BEST TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS:**
 * HOW BEST TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS:**

**Sample scholarship letters:**
**Writing an Application Letter for Scholarship (with Sample)**

Advice: Do's and Don't for Writing Personal Statements
http://www.scholarships.umd.edu/advicestudentwriting.html

**Other Important items:**
Types of Resumes: 1. **Activities Resume** 2. **Resume,** Mrs. Petersen calls this a "Gold" Resume
 * What is an Activities Resume? This is a resume that you create to keep track of you school related and volunteer related activities. This is a way to keep track of your extracurricular activities, honors, and awards throughout high school.
 * Why do I need an Activities Resume? This resume is a way to keep track of your activities that might not be directly related to a job. It will help you show future scholarship committees or even first employers what you have been doing during your time in high school.
 * Why should you get involved? Your experiences outside the classroom will help you explore career interests, earn scholarships, and develop organization and time management skills.
 * This is a resume that you begin to develop as soon as you have a first job. It can help you keep track of the jobs that you have and can also have a record of your volunteer work. This is a way to show an employer that you have developed good work related skills during your high school career.
 * Calculators:**

How Much Will College Actually Cost You?
FinAid