SCHOLARSHIPS Nancy Oliveira Career Counselor noliveira@helenaschools.org
TYPES OF SCHOLARSHIPS 1. Merit (academic record) 2. Financial Need 3. Talent (athletic, music, art, etc.)
SCHOLARSHIPS BASICS Apply, Apply, Apply! Small amounts add up! But, don t pay to apply! You don t have to accept it! Pay attention to the details: In-state only? Tuition only? Post-marked by or received by deadline? Renewable? Follow the instructions! Oftentimes, whether or not an applicant followed the instructions is the first level of screening. Don t give them more than what they request!
SCHOLARSHIP NAME SCHOLARSHIP CHECKLIST DEADLINE (Received or Postmarked) APPLICATION (Online Or Paper) ESSAY LETTERS OF REC (# Needed) TRANSCRIPT (Official Or Unofficial) DATE SUBMITTED AWARD
ELEMENTS OF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS 1. Application Form 2. Transcript 3. Letters of Recommendation 4. Essays 5. Activities/Awards/Service Resume 6. Copy of School Acceptance Letter 7. Financial Information 8. Display of talent; interview; picture
ELEMENTS OF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS 1. Application Form *Contact information create a professional e-mail account for applications (college & scholarships) *GPA, Class Rank keep an unofficial transcript for easy access to this information; don t guess! *Activities and Awards
ELEMENTS OF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS 2. Transcript Unofficial: a printout of your academic record Official: signed, stamped, sealed, initials Part of the application packet or mailed directly? Request transcripts in the counseling office or from Parchment
ELEMENTS OF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS 3. Letters of Recommendation Choose wisely! Pick authors who know you well on a variety of levels. Choose a variety of authors (teachers, coaches, community members) Ask now; they need time! Give them information about you! The counseling office has forms you can use.
ELEMENTS OF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS 4. Essays Your essay can make or break you! Follow the instructions for format and topic! Ask your teachers to edit! Re-use your essays when appropriate Common topic: career and college goals
ELEMENTS OF SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS 5. Activities/Awards/Service Resume Be thorough; useful to have so put it together now! 6. Financial Information Copy of tax return FAFSA information 7. Display of talent; interview; picture
EXAMPLES OF SCHOLARSHIPS HHS David Strong Memorial Scholarship (3 CTE credits) Darwin L. Simac Memorial Scholarship (financial need; MT school) Jack Cohn Memorial Scholarship (1 varsity activity) Elwell-Leger (transcript & essay) Shawn Moothart Memorial Scholarship (pursuing trades) Cleve A. Malmstrom Memorial Scholarship (football, track & GPA)
EXAMPLES OF SCHOLARSHIPS LOCAL Wyatt Winfield Memorial Scholarship (pursuing trades) Angel Fund (financial need) Joseph Joey McKeon Memorial Scholarship (swimming) Helena Lions Clubs Helena Moose Lodge Soroptimist Club Lewis & Clark Republican Women Last Chance Audubon Society Employers Many others!
EXAMPLES OF SCHOLARSHIPS STATE Montana Community Foundation (many scholarships) Horatio Alger Montana www.reachhighermontana.org December 1 st January 5 th Youth Serve Montana (use in MT; 100 hours of community service) Montana University System (Honors, Governor s Best & Brightest, STEM) December 1 st March 15 th 2+2 (merit; graduates of 2-year schools transferring to a 4-yr school) Institution Scholarships (Merit based)
University of Montana s MAA Scholarship Grid
EXAMPLES OF SCHOLARSHIPS REGIONAL/NATIONAL Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Coca-Cola Scholars Questbridge National College Match Horatio Alger JFK Profiles in Courage Essay Contest Thousands more.
HOW TO FIND SCHOLARSHIPS Your college/university Helena High School Scholarship List (online and paper copy available for student pick-up) Many institutions will offer scholarships to new students so check out their financial aid webpage www.careercruising.com www.fastweb.com www.myscholly.com (code: RHM2018) https://mtcis.intocareers.org/materials/portal/home.html
SCHOLARSHIPS Nancy Oliveira Career Counselor noliveira@helenaschools.org