May 11
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If you have done the search for local or PC Pro Schools scholarships already then you have also taken stock of your own goals and what you have to offer. The next step in defraying college tuition is to apply for state and national scholarships. The locations you can look for this information include some of the same places you would find local scholarship information, your school counselor and the library. You should contact you state’s department of higher education to see what exists for state granted scholarships. If you want to attend a college within the same state you were raised in, this can be a great boost to your financial aid package.
You will find clearinghouses with information on the Internet. There are a number for scholarship search companies that collect information on just about every type of award or scholarship. Once you turn in a questionnaire the service will give you a list of possible scholarships to try for. From that list, you can chose which ones appeal to you. Never pay for an “exclusive” scholarship lead. To make sure you are not being scammed try Scholarship Search, Fastweb, Sallie Mae, and/ or FindTuition.com.
Another source of national PC Pro School scholarships is awarded by various colleges and universities themselves. Checking with the campus you are interested in and browsing their website can tell you what programs they have and what scholarships they offer. Some scholarships awarded this way apply to specific disciplines while others apply to the university in general. You will want to investigate what the requirements are for such scholarships and determine if they are based on merit (like gpa or SAT scores), financial need, intended major, ethnicity or other things. You should inquire as to what the specific application process is, the materials they ask for when the application is submitted, and if it is a onetime award or one that can be extended from semester to semester.
Having a list of scholarships to apply for is not enough. One must successfully apply for those awards. There are steps to follow to be successful at this process. First off, you need to look at the extended list of possible scholarships and narrow down which ones are the best match for your needs. It is not size of the award alone you should look at. A scholarship for a college in state when you wish to attend an out of state university will be a waste of your time, so you should not apply for those unless your plans change, for example.
Once you have those set aside, the next step is crafting an email archiving application that stands out from the others and will convince those awarding the scholarship that you should get it. Your achievements, recommendations, and interviews need to support what you say in your application. A few tips to help you in your application process are in order here.
The top one is to read the directions for applying several times and the follow those directions as closely as possible. Each PC Pro Schools application will be different, and each one will require work on your part to make it compelling. Common sense in this is vital. If you don’t understand one of the questions on an application or the directions that are there then take the time to contact the sponsor and get the information you need.
Give yourself plenty of time, start researching early and working out what you are saying. Take the opportunity to ask questions about the scholarship by way of requesting information and getting all the application materials. Work on each application as if it were a standalone item. Pay attention to the dates that the application is due.
Make sure you have all the things you need for your application process together in a file. This will help simplify the entire thing by keeping the materials together. You should include your transcript, your standardized test scores, your financial aid forms like the FAFSA, your parents’ financial information and tax returns, one or more essays written for this purpose, letters of recommendation, proof of eligibility which will vary depending on the source of the scholarship, and anything needed to prepare for a personal interview, to show a talent, or the like.
On the application itself, make sure you proofread it, checking for spelling and grammar issues. Fill in all blanks. Print or type your essays and applications. Follow the instructions to the letter. Make copies. Check for signatures and proper dates.
Related posts:
- College tuition: New law aims for more transparency in costs (The Christian Science Monitor)
- Writing a College Letter of Intent For PC Pro Schools
- College tuition costs climbing again this fall (AP)
- PC Pro Schools & College Email Retention Frequently Asked Questions
- HS students make B’way debut; 5 win scholarships (AP)
