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Plan ahead, don’t lose out by missing a deadline.
- Develop a list of your best scholarship prospects.
- Make a timeline with the deadlines for each scholarship.
- Request or download copies of each application.
- Make a checklist of requirements for each.
- Order academic transcripts if needed.
- Complete and organize any financial forms and records (income taxes, FAFSA, etc).
- Ask early for letters of recommendation.
Start a scholarship portfolio.
Use a binder/folder or online storage program (Dropbox, OneDrive, flashdrive, etc.) to organize your scholarship portfolio. Create separate sections for the items you will need. See below for example items:
Documents File:
- Most recent tax-return
- Financial records to explain your financial circumstances (e.g. utility bills, child care bills, medical expenses, etc.)
- Financial aid and award notices
- Copy of your FAFSA, DREAMer Application, or other financial aid forms
- Updated resume
- A list of extracurricular activities, community services or awards/recognitions
- Academic transcripts
Application File:
- A checklist of your scholarship search
- Timeline for your scholarship search with every deadline record clearly recorded and post it where you’ll see it everyday.
- A copy of your completed sample application
- A copy of every application you have obtained
Essay File:
- Drafts of your general scholarship essay (personal statement)
- Drafts of essays tailored for particular scholarships
- Back-up records of your essay(s)
Letters of Recommendation File:
- Updated contact information for each person writing on your behalf
- A list of the dates you contacted them to ask for a letter
- Copies of all letters received
Give it your best shot!
- Be proactive – search for new scholarships regularly.
- Be persuasive – write a winning essay.
- Be professional – submit a timely, complete well-written application.
- Be patient – don’t give up!
Most scholarships are for small amounts so you can count on applying for a lot of applications. Your portfolio is complete by now, so this wont be too hard.
- Never build a strong portfolio and then just apply for one scholarship.
- Update your portfolio at least twice a semester; at the beginning and at the end.
- Reapply! If you are rejected, ask about reapplying. If you are successful, also ask about reapplying. Some community groups like to support individual students over time.
Who gives the scholarships?
- Charitable Foundations
- Memorial scholarships established by family members
- Businesses
- Professional Associations
- Labor Unions
- Women’s groups
- State and Federal government
- College and academic departments
How do I find the right one for me?
Find a good fit by thinking for yourself! Where do you come from? What is your family history? Where are you employed? What organizations do you belong to? What about your family situation? What makes you who you are?
Keeping your grades up is important, but not all scholarships put grades first.
Don’t limit yourself. If you meet the criteria – apply!
Where can I find help on campus?
Metropolitan State University of Denver
The Gender Institute for Teaching and Advocacy
303-615-2052
Boulder Creek, Room 132
Office of Financial Aid Scholarship Center
303-556-8593
MSU Denver Student Success Building, Area 6, Suite 130
http://www.msudenver.edu/financialaid/scholarships
The Writing Center
303-556-6070
King Center, Room 415
Make an appointment
University of Colorado Denver
Financial Aid & Scholarships Office
303-315-1850
UCD Student Commons Building, Suite 5105
Learn More
Community College of Denver
Office of Financial Aid
Confluence 120
303-556-5503
https://www.ccd.edu/org/financial-aid-scholarships
In the community
Ask people about local organizations and groups offering scholarships. Are you connected with particular advocacy groups or professional associations?
Remember to ask your own employer or union. Perhaps the national office or local branch offers scholarships to employees.
Ask your parents about their own employers, social groups, professional affiliations, unions, military service, and so forth as you may qualify as a family member.
The essay is probably the most important part of any scholarship application.
This is your chance to make your application jump out of the pile – make the most of it!
Use an outline to organize your thoughts
Hook readers early
Write a powerful, short paragraph expressing the theme of your essay.
Address every question asked.
Tell a compelling story – it’s all about you!
What makes you unique?
What obstacles have you overcome?
What is your family history?
Are you the first generation in your family to go to college?
What are your educational plans and goals?
What are your career goals?
How will this scholarship benefit you?
Put yourself in the selection committee’s shoes.
What do you want them to know about you?
Be creative.
Be honest.
Make your strengths shine!
Write your essay very carefully. Look for feedback, revise, and rewrite.
Use active verb form and descriptive language.
Be specific (early childhood education, not “education”).
Answer the question prompt.
Follow guidelines for length very carefully.
Use standard font size and spacing margin
Proofread for grammar and punctuation more than once. Don’t rely on Spell Check!
For personal help with an application or essay, make an appointment with one of our scholarship tutors by calling 303-615-2052. Walk-ins welcome!
Asking for help can be difficult
but typically your professor, employer, or colleague will be very pleased to do what they can to help with your scholarship search. Unless the scholarship application specifically advises against it or requests that no additional materials be forwarded, don’t hesitate to include a strong letter of reference.
Carefully select the person
Consider the particular scholarship requirements.
Ask a professor, mentor, supervisor, colleague, or associate in your community or volunteer work.
Provide ample time – this is critical!
Allow four to six weeks for your references to write the letter.
Ask to have it at least one to two weeks before the deadline.
Provide a personal profile and the application. By giving these to your reference, they will have the following information:
- When the letter is due.
- To whom the letter should be addressed.
- What scholarship you are applying for.
- Description of the kind of letter you need and specific questions to be addressed in the letter, if any.
- Details about your future plans.
- Jog their memory about your relationship.
- Provide the information for a more personal, convincing, and complete letter of recommendation.
Don’t forget the details
- Is your letter to be attached to the application?
Select a date for your to either pick up your letter of reference or have it mailed to your home, but be sure to include a self-addressed stamped envelope.
- Is your letter to be mailed directly to the scholarship committee?
Include a self-addressed stamped envelope and the date it is due to the committee.
Be Professional
- Writing letters is time-consuming and difficult work.
- Let your reference know whether you were successful or not.
- Thank you notes are always appreciated!
Scholarship Tutors
Did you know GITA has a team of scholarship tutors ready to help you with anything scholarships related? We can help educate other students about the scholarship application process and give individual assistance to students in pursuit of scholarships. We offer virtual scholarship workshops, as well as one-on-one appointments. Whether you need assistance finding scholarships, creating a portfolio, or writing essays, we’re here to help!
FAQ
Start early! Don’t Wait until the last minute. Look for scholarships throughout your academic career. Develop a list of scholarship prospects suited for YOU.
Make time for scholarship searching and applications. Think of it as a research project — take it step by step for the best results, and ask for help when you need it. If you are persistent and effective, your time and effort can bring you money.
Remember, scholarships are a competitive process — and you must be your best advocate. You know best which scholarships fit you situation.
Start Today! And don’t stop until you graduate. Even if you’ve just missed an important deadline, there are always more scholarship deadlines. Although the majority of scholarship applications are due in the spring, don’t forget community-based scholarship applications can have summer and fall deadlines.
Financial Aid is governmental funding coordinated through the Office of Financial Aid at colleges and universities. Federal grants, (i.e., Pell grants) work study, and student loans, are forms of financial aid. Most aid funds are limited; it is critical that you meet your college priority date by submitting you Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on time. The date may vary from year-to-year, but is usually mid March.
Scholarships are competitive awards offered by various sources. Business, corporations, civic and social clubs, churches, individuals and colleges offer scholarships with specific eligibility criteria. These national or local scholarships are open to the general college population. Colleges also offer scholarships through major/minor departments and endowments, and these are for students attending a particular college.
Scholarship applications are usually available four to eight weeks prior to the application deadline. The application process usually takes place a semester prior to the semester that you receive the money.
Eligibility criteria vary greatly and are usually based on the values or goals of the group offering the scholarship. Some of the more common criteria include grade point average (GPA), financial need, sex, age, race, ethnic identity, religious affiliation, major or minor, geographic location, talent, athletic ability, community activism, hobbies, and/or membership or involvement in a particular organization. You must meet all the criteria for a particular scholarship in order to be eligible.
The application process for each scholarship is different. A typical application consists of a one-to-two page form requesting general biographical information and an essay. Essay topics also vary. The essay is a critical part of the application because it is often the only information the selection committee will have about each candidate.
Scholarship awards vary in amount from $50 to thousands of dollars. You are allowed to receive more than one scholarship at a time.
Scholarship money in excess of the cost of tuition and fees, books and supplies, is subject to federal income tax under the Tax Reform Act of 1996. Contact your local IRS office for more information. Ask for IRS Publication 520 (1991)
Scholarship money will affect your financial aid if you are offered an amount over the “unmet need” listed on your Award Offer. If you do receive more than your unmet need, the amount will be deducted from your loans before it affects grant or work-study money. If you have any concerns about financial aid or have been offered a scholarship, talk directly to your personal financial aid counselor to clarify your situation.
More people apply than can be awarded funds so rejection comes with the territory. Don’t personalize this! Many factors come into play:
- Your competition in this round may be especially steep.
- You may not make the first cut if some factors are weighted more than others (e.g. economic need).
- The selection committee imposes new criteria as they go.
- You met the basic criteria, but were not a good fit with the overall goals of this particular application.
- And, of course, if your application is incomplete, sloppy, poorly written or late, it may not be considered at all.
Being patient is hard, especially when you really need money. You may not hear back about a scholarship you applied for, however you may call them and ask:
- If they accept reapplications. How often can you reapply?
- For guidance about submitting a stronger application.