Meridian Career Meridian Career InstituteInstitute

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A Learning Resource Center A Learning Resource Center SeminarSeminar

Searching for Searching for ScholarshipsScholarships

First things first!First things first!

Before applying for ANY scholarships - Before applying for ANY scholarships - complete the FAFSA (Free Application complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) at:for Federal Student Aid) at:

fafsa.ed.govfafsa.ed.gov

Create a free Web-based Create a free Web-based email account just for email account just for

scholarship responses!scholarship responses!

yahoo.com

Yahoo email is a very popular

choice.

hotmail.com

Hotmail is another.

gmail.com

Gmail has many added features, making it an

excellent choice.

Create a document to keep Create a document to keep track of all the Scholarships track of all the Scholarships for which you are applying.for which you are applying.

This is an example of a Spreadsheet used to keep track of scholarship applications.

Now you’re prepared to Now you’re prepared to dig for the gold!dig for the gold!

Google the word “scholarships” Google the word “scholarships” with any of the following:with any of the following:

* Your field of study * Your field of study * Your ethnic background* Your ethnic background

* Your disability (if any) * Your disability (if any)

Scholarships and “field of study”

Scholarships and “ethnicity”

Scholarships and “disability”

Read over the scholarship Read over the scholarship details to see if you are details to see if you are

eligible to apply.eligible to apply.

If you are eligible, put the If you are eligible, put the details into your details into your document right away and document right away and save it.save it.

Sign up with TWO (or more) Sign up with TWO (or more) scholarship matching scholarship matching services, such as:services, such as:

* FastWeb.com* FastWeb.com* Collegeboard.com* Collegeboard.com* Scholarships.com* Scholarships.com* Nextstudent.com* Nextstudent.com

www.fastweb.comwww.fastweb.com

Complete the requested information.

Collegeboard.comCollegeboard.com

Complete the requested information.

Scholarships.comScholarships.com

Complete the requested information.

Nextstudent.comNextstudent.com

Many scholarship Many scholarship applications require an applications require an

essay. essay.

Get help writing your essay Get help writing your essay by taking the LRC’s “How to by taking the LRC’s “How to

Write a Research Write a Research Paper/Essay Seminar.”Paper/Essay Seminar.”

Ask for a Letter of Ask for a Letter of Recommendation (LOR) Recommendation (LOR) from your teachers and from your teachers and

other professionals.other professionals.

Check the LRC’s blog for Check the LRC’s blog for Letter of Letter of

Recommendation Recommendation postings.postings.

Search for “Letter of recommendation”

Two results appear. Click on the title to view the blog posting.

This is the first title that appeared in the search results.

This is the second title that appeared in the search results.

Watch out for Scams!Watch out for Scams!

A scholarship offer might A scholarship offer might be a scam if:be a scam if:

You are asked upfront for a fee (it might You are asked upfront for a fee (it might be called an application fee, processing be called an application fee, processing fee, origination fee, guarantee fee, fee, origination fee, guarantee fee, default fee, or insurance fee).default fee, or insurance fee).

You are asked for your social security You are asked for your social security number, bank account number, or credit number, bank account number, or credit card number.card number.

There are scam artists in There are scam artists in EVERY field, including the EVERY field, including the scholarship field.scholarship field.

Scholarship Scholarship notifications are notifications are

ALWAYS done by mail.ALWAYS done by mail.

If someone calls you on the If someone calls you on the phone to notify you that you phone to notify you that you won a scholarship, BEWARE!won a scholarship, BEWARE!

Do NOT hire anyone to apply Do NOT hire anyone to apply for scholarships for you!for scholarships for you!

Remember, Remember, YOUYOU must must write any required essays write any required essays

and and YOUYOU must get your must get your own Letters of own Letters of

Recommendation.Recommendation.

Start searching for scholarships TODAY!!

If you have any If you have any questions, please see questions, please see

your Librarian.your Librarian.