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Don’t Let Your Scholarship Slip Away
The key to success in winning scholarships is knowing how to better market yourself.
By Roxana Hadad
March 05, 2009
You may be eligible for more awards than you think. The secret is to “type” yourself. Find the maximum number of scholarship opportunities by thinking about who you are and what you do.
College Major/Field of Interest
If you’re in college, start with your major or academic area. Departments and schools, as well as academic and professional organizations, offer scholarships for students based on their majors. High school students can look for awards in subject areas in which they excel or that they’re considering studying in college.
If you’re a double major, check under both majors to make sure you’re not missing anything. Also, don’t be too specific. For example, if you’re an English major, you can look for scholarships listed under “English,” “literature” or “literary studies” as well as broader categories like “humanities.” If you’re majoring in physics, check “physical sciences” and “science,” too.
And don’t forget to include what you’ll become as well. Whether you want to be a lawyer, doctor, journalist or teacher, you may find awards to help you pursue the career of your dreams, regardless of your major.
State of Residence/State of Study
Part of who you are is where you live. Many state governments offer financial assistance to in-state students. Simply establishing residency, even just in your first year of school, may qualify you for one of these awards. Check with both your home state and the state where you attend college.
Private organizations also offer state-specific scholarships that reward academic merit and extra-curricular achievements. Some scholarships are also available for residents of certain counties or cities.
Student Affiliations
Also think about things you like to do. Start with clubs and organizations. As a member or officer, you’ll qualify for awards sponsored by your club.
Don’t stop there. What are your hobbies? Have you trained in any special skills or sports? Do you attend religious services? Have you worked a part-time job? All these activities are part of your “type” and can lead to scholarships.
Ethnic Background
Awards are given to students of certain ethnic or minority groups. For most of these awards, you don’t have to be a full-blooded member of a particular ethnic group. If your parents are from different ethnic groups, look for awards for each group. Also look for scholarships targeting students from broader ethnic categories like “Asian” or “Hispanic.”
Disability
A wide variety of students may find that there are awards available to them because they are physically challenged, learning-disabled or suffer from long-term illness. Look for scholarships listed under your specific disability or illness, as well as more general awards for students with disabilities.
Foreign Students
If you are a citizen of a country other than the U.S., that’s part of your “type” as well. You’ll find that some awards are restricted to students from certain countries, but many more target international students in general. Look for awards for both categories.
mcunningham59
about 2 years ago
i,m trying to further my education to help myself and my family to enjoy just some of the activitys in our area and maybe one day i,ll be able to give something to someone less fortunate than me
toddandtoby
over 2 years ago
Thank you for your time and the opportunity to share my thoughts with all of you.
My name is Pecola Colby. I am a student at South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, Wasington. My GPA is 3.1. I will have my requirements satisfied with South Puget Sound Community College in the Fall 2010. I will transfer to the University of Washington - Tacoma. My ultimate goal is a Doctorate Degree in Social Work.
I am unemployed. I lost my home five years ago to foreclosure.
I am single/divorced, African American female, head of household and sixty-four years old. I am testimony to the challenges and yes resilience related to me being socioeconomically and ethnically challenged when comparing me to the dominant culture. My observation and/or perception with social services programs is that of a system at times, lacks fairness, responsiveness and accountability to some of the families they serve. I believe it is imperative that social workers remain accesible to families for support, to establish at all costs, courtesy with integrity and respect for all people regardless of race or culture. Trust is essential and this is one way to build trust. Further, it is necessary to take appropriate and necessary steps to become as proficient as possible on cultural beliefs with protocol, respect, sensitivity and with care, to recognize cultural barriers, to embrace cultural differences and to learn how best to develop the relationship in order to provide the best possible service care.
My interest and passion then and now is to obtain a Doctorate Degree in Social Work. My heart's desire is to become a Social Worker because I am caring, compassionate, sensitive and believe all families/people are significant, their voices count and should be heard. Further, obtaining an advance degree will allow me to have opportunities to embrace all families and cultures including attending to their needs and providing multiple levels for services with care. I envision my role as a Social Worker to be a voice for families as they journey through various programs for services and resources in order that they receive the very best with care. I will ensure families are not allowed to wander simply because they have come to believe no one cares about them or their well being. As a Social Worker, I will serve as an Advocate for families when necessary to ensure they receive the services and programs best for them. I will work with families to mobilize formal and informal resources; to support family development and to make certain families are on solid ground; to allow for flexibility; and to recognize emerging family needs and community issues.
I began my educational pursuit with Fort Steilacoom Community College, now Pierce College in 1981-1982. It was an honor and privilege to begin my educational journey with Fort Steilacoom Community College. The instructors were personal, engaging and worked as closely as necessary with students to ensure successes in the classrooms. However, without family support, eventually I became overwhelmed in my attempt to carry alone all the family and household responsibilities and I had to place my educational dream pursuit on hold until NOW. At this time in my life, however, there are no obstacles to deter or distract me from achieving a Doctorate Degree in Social Work. My vision is clear. I am determined to succeed AND I know I will be an asset as a Social Worker to any organization or organized structural body.
From May 2004 to July 2008 I was employed with the Family Support Center in Olympia, Washington. I served as the Family Resource Specialist, and assisted in meeting the needs of low-income families. My responsibilities were to work with families and support them in identifying and prioritizing their needs. I helped them identify the most appropriate resources to meet those needs and empowered them to follow through in accessing those resources. I also served as an Advocate for families when necessary and worked with case managers from other agencies to ensure a complete network of services.
My volunteerism also demonstrates my commitment to families and communities. I serve as a Volunteer with my church, New Life Baptist Church in Lacey, Washington in many roles and functions. I have successfully brought for more than five years with the assistance and support of a cadre of medical and non-medical volunteers, multiple services and programs to the immediate and surrounding communities in Thurston County, e.g. The Smilemobile, a mobile dental unit for children in low-income families and fifteen years old and younger, a "FREE" Back to School Physical Examination Day, Health Fairs, Walk-a-Thons, etc. I served as Chair-person for the Unity For Excellence Tutorial Program. I also serve as Chair-person for the Senior Adult Ministry.
My efforts were recognized in the community. In April 2004, I received the Making a Difference in The Life of A Child Award from Thurston County and in June 2004, I received the Unique Achievement Award from the Thurston County Council on Cultural Diversity.
Again, it has been my privilege to share my thoughts with all of you. Please contact me if further assistance is necessary for clarification. Further, please know any amount of financial support is most appreciative.
Please contact me at: 9225 Windsor Ln., NE
Apt E-103
Olympia, WA 98516
OR my email address is: pediandsons@comcast.net
Respectfully,
Pecola Colby