“Scholar Dollars” for Juniors?

Rock Hill High School11th Grade Advisory

Can Juniors Receive Scholarships?

YESYESYES

How to Apply For Scholarships…

Start the Research Early: plan time to research scholarships, request information and application materials, and complete applications.

Read Eligibility Requirements Carefully: If you have a question about eligibility for a particular scholarship, contact the scholarship sponsors.

Organize All Scholarship Materials You should create a separate file for each

scholarship and file by application date. Keep a calendar of application deadlines and follow-up appointments.

How to Apply For Scholarships cont…

Proofread Applications Carefully Have a family member, teacher or friend read

your essays.

Don't Leave Items Blank Contact scholarship sponsors if not sure how to

fill out any part of the application.

Follow Instructions to the Letter Make sure you do not go over the length limit

for the essay. Don't send supporting materials that are not requested in the application.

How to Apply For Scholarships cont…

Make Sure the Application Is Legible You should type or print application forms and essays.

Make Copies of Everything You Send If application materials are lost, having copies on hand makes it much

easier to resend the application quickly.

Double-Check the Application If you are reusing material (such as a cover letter or essay) from

another scholarship application, check to make sure no incorrect names are left in or there are blank fields. It should be carefully checked for incorrect names or blank fields. Make sure you do not forget to sign and date the application.

Get Applications In Early You miss out if deadlines are missed. Consider using certified mail or

requesting a return receipt. 

http://www.collegeboard.com/parents/pay/scholarships-aid/21402.html

SCHOLARSHIPS11TH GRADE TO DO-LIST

First things first – start a file for scholarships, awards, and contests. Keep adding and updating it yearly.

Search the sites. Register at the following web sites. Update your list yearly or when your GPA and class rank change.

www.finaid.org www.fastweb.com www.collegeboard.com www.scholarship.com www.review.com www.srnexpress.com www.xap.com www.wiredscholar.com www.eduprep.com www.allaboutcollege.com www.meritaid.com

o Check out the scholarship section at the library and bookstores.

o Check out who won. Go to the scholarship’s web site. The winning essay or portfolio is usually available. Study it for tips.

Information obtained from: Countdown to College: 21 ‘To Do’ Lists for High School by Valerie Pierce and Cheryl Rilly

Why Should I take the PSAT?

High school juniors may qualify for National Merit Scholarships by receiving a high score on the PSAT taken in October of the junior year.

Juniors need  a high selectivity index score in the 99 percentile range.

The score is obtained from the total of three sections on the PSAT: the critical reading, math and writing scores. The highest score would be 240 (80+80+80=240) since each section of the PSAT ranges from 20 to 80 points.

www.nationalmerit.org

More PSAT Opportunities… The National Achievement Scholarship Program

provides recognition for outstanding African-American or Black American high school students. Black students may enter the National Merit Program and the National Achievement Scholarship Program by taking the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in October.

A free college advisory and referral service is available for student who plan to attend a two-year or four-year college. You need to indicate you are African American or Black.

Visit http://www.nationalmerit.org/prn_nasp.php for more information.

More PSAT Opportunities cont. National Hispanic Recognition Program

(NHRP) provides recognition for outstanding Hispanic/Latino high school students.  You must be at least one-quarter Hispanic/Latino, meet the minimum PSAT/NMSQT cutoff score for your state which varies each year.  Honorable Mention Finalists need a GPA between 3.0 to 3.49 and Scholar Finalists need a minimum GPA of 3.5 and a 30 ACT or 1330 SAT.

Visit nhrp@collegeboard.org for more information.

Other Scholarship Opportunities…

The Sylvia K. Burack Writing Award This writing contest is open to high school juniors and seniors in

the U.S. and Canada. Entrants must submit a previously unpublished 600- to 800-word personal essay in English on the following topic: "Select a work of fiction, poem or play that has influenced you. Discuss the work and explain how it affected you." One winner will receive $500, publication in The Writer magazine and on WriterMag.com, a one-year subscription to The Writer and a copy of the Gotham Writers' Workshop anthology Fiction Gallery – a huge springboard for any aspiring writer.

Voice of Democracy This VFW scholarship is an annual nationwide audio essay

competition designed to give high school students the opportunity to voice their opinion on their responsibility to our country. Former first place state Voice of Democracy winners and high school students over the age of 19 are not eligible. U.S. Citizenship is not required, although students must be permanent residents of the U.S. Make your voice heard!

Other Scholarship Opportunities cont…

C-SPAN StudentCam StudentCam is C-SPAN’s annual national video

documentary competition for middle and high school students where applicants create a five- to eight-minute documentary that presents multiple views on a specific topic and includes C-SPAN video. A total of $50,000 will be divided between 75 winners.

Discover Scholarship Program Here’s a biggie: This program awards up to $250,000

annually (that’s 10 scholarships of $25,000 each) to high school juniors nationwide to support continued education and training beyond high school. Applicants must be U.S. residents, high school juniors at the time of application, have cumulative GPAS of at least 2.75 on a 4.0 scale for the 9th and 10th grade years and display outstanding achievement in academics, leadership, community service and obstacles overcome.

Questions…

See your counselor for more scholarship information!

CF10/4/11