Mt. San Jacinto College Spring 2010 What are Scholarships? Scholarships are merit based gifts designed to help with the cost of a college education. Millions of dollars in scholarship monies are available from private companies, non-profit organizations, universities and other sources. Many of these scholarships are available to students who meet a defined eligibility requirement. Regardless of what the requirements may be, selection committees are looking for well-rounded candidates who excel in one or more of the following categories: Academics, Internship & Work Experience, Community Service, Leadership. By being able to demonstrate strength in one or more of these categories you will have the essentials to advance your standing! Academics Your GPA, major, minor and course load may be considered. Internship & Work Experience Demonstrate responsibility. You can do this by presenting strong and compelling letters of reference from your employer and showing a history of commitment to your place of work. Community Service By volunteering, you show not only that you are civic-minded but also that you care about a cause broader than your own advancement. Provide letters of recommendation from volunteer supervisors. Letters should stress your commitment, dedication, selflessness and maturity. Leadership Focus your essays on a pivotal leadership opportunity or challenge and reflect on how that experience shaped you. Letters of recommendation that cite examples of your leadership skills can be very helpful to your candidacy, as well. INSIDE THIS ISSUE Scholarship Info... 2 New Scholarships... 3 Scholarship Tips... 4 ESSAY WRITING TIPS Your essay should say something meaningful about yourself. Define your Major/Goals Describe why you selected your major, area of study and your future academic and career goals. Adversity/Challenges. Describe any adversity or challenges you may have overcome or anticipate in pursuit of your educational goals.
MT. SAN JACINTO COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP Although your financial need may be considered in determining eligibility, it must be emphasized that eligibility for scholarships is mainly based on your ability to meet scholastic and other criteria as set forth by the scholarship donors. Some scholarships require full-time enrollment (12 or more units) and a minimum 2.0 GPA (this varies depending on the scholarship). For a list of scholarships available for Spring 2010, visit the scholarship page on the MSJC website. Visit our website for scholarship information and applications at www. msjc.edu/scholarships TO APPLY Complete the application forms available online at www.scag.ca.gov/ scholarships Submit the completed applications by mail to: So. Cal Association of Governments Attn: SCAG Scholarship Program 818 W. 7th Street 12th Floor Los Angeles, CA 90017 2 SCAG SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM 2010 The Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Scholarship Program is designed to offer local government and planning experience that students can use to develop long-term career goals. The scholarship will provide up to $3000 scholarship awards for seven high school or community college students from the SCAG region and a two-week externship with a local government planning agency. Recipients will also have an opportunity to meet with their local government representatives and practicing planners to discuss the importance of urban planning and a future career in public service. All materials for the Summer 2010 SCAG Scholarship Program must be post marked by Friday, March 5, 2010. Requirements: Must be a Southern California Resident in the SCAG Region (Imperial, Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura County or Tribal Lands). Currently enrolled at MSJC with a minimum 3.0 GPA. Must be available for a two-week externship with a local planning agency and attend a seminar in July with the SCAG offices in Downtown Los Angeles Summer 2010.
INFORMATION Apply early. Specific deadlines apply to each individual scholarship. NEW SCHOLARSHIP! GATES MILLENNIUM SCHOLARS 2010 Students are eligible to be considered for the Gates Millennium Scholars Scholarship if you meet the following criteria: Are African American, American Indian/Alaska Native, Asian or Pacific Islander American or Hispanic American. Have a minimum cumulative 3.3 GPA. First-Year Full time student in Fall 2010. Have demonstrated leadership abilities through community service, extracurricular or other activities. Meet the Federal Pell Grant eligibility requirement. Submit the following 3 forms: Nominee Personal Information Form completed by the student, Nominator Form completed by an educator familiar with the students academic record and a Recommender Form completed by a person familiar with the student s leadership and community service). For more information or to apply for this scholarship, you can visit the Gates Millennium Scholarship at http:// www.gmsp.org/ The scholarship is funded by a grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 1999, to provide outstanding, low income students with an opportunity to complete an undergraduate college education in any discipline area of interest. The Goal of GMS is to promote academic excellence by providing thousands of outstanding students, who have significant financial need, the opportunity to reach their full potential. Deadline Nomination materials must be post marked on or before Monday, January 10, 2010. Mail Nominations Materials to: Gates Millennium Scholars PO Box 1434 Alexandria, VA 22313 3
SCHOLARSHIP TIPS Don t procrastinate. Turn in your application by the deadline. Read carefully and follow all instructions. Submit clean and neat applications. LENA T. POND NURSING SCHOLARSHIP The Lena T. Pond Scholarship Program has been developed to assist serious students in the study of or training for a certificate or associate degree in nursing or pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing or Allied Health. The 2010-2011 application has not been made available yet, however please continue to visit the MSJC Scholarship page for updates. Complete the entire scholarship application. Respond to all essay questions in type written essay format. Submit all required documents. Don t be discouraged if you are not selected the first time. Keep applying for scholarships. The more you try the better your chances! FOUNDATION/GENERAL SCHOLARSHIP The Foundation General Scholarship is now available for 2010-2011. The MSJC application can be downloaded from the MSJC website in a PDF format or a paper application may be picked up at the Financial Aid Office. Your application must be complete and include all the requirements listed. Evaluation is based on the most current scholarship application information you have submitted. Deadline is Friday, February 10, 2009 at 12:00 pm (noon). OSHER INITIATIVE FOR CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE STUDENTS The Osher Initiative for California Community College Students scholarship application has been closed for the 2009-2010 semesters. More information will be made available once the scholarship process re-opens. Please check back in the future for updates. 4
WHO IS REQUIRED TO ATTEND? If you are receiving Financial Aid for the 2009-2010 Academic Year, you are required to attend a Financial Aid Orientation. This is a one time requirement as long as you continuously attend MSJC and apply for financial aid. If you have been absent for 1 year from MSJC and reapply for financial aid, you will need to attend another orientation. FINANCIAL AID ORIENTATION Are you confused with all the rules governing your financial aid award? Come to a Financial Aid Orientation! It is a workshop designed to help you learn about your financial aid award. It includes information to obtain and manage your money, policies that effect repayment of money received, Satisfactory Academic Progress regulations and student success tips. A complete list of days and times are on the MSJC Financial Aid Site, beginning in February. Workshops are available on alternate days between our San Jacinto Campus and Menifee Campus. Office Hours Monday & Thursday 8:00 am 7:00 pm Tuesday & Wednesday 8:00 am 5:00 pm Friday 8:00 am 12:00 pm Mt. San Jacinto College Financial Aid Office San Jacinto Campus Bldg. 1150 Phone: (951) 487-3245 Menifee Valley Campus Bldg. 100 Phone: (951) 639-5245 Email: Finaid@msjc.edu