The Scholarships Blog

Archive for May, 2007

The Online Degree Scholarship

Thursday, May 31st, 2007

Need money for school? Don’t have the time to bother applying for scholarships with a lengthy application process? Online Degree Scholarships.com is now offering the perfect scholarship for you.

Online Degree Scholarships.com is now offering a scholarship for students who are interested in registering on their website. The process is simple: simply register on their website to review offers from their marketing affiliates. After reviewing the offers, you will automatically be entered into their Online Degree Scholarships Contest.

Be sure that when you are reviewing the offers from their marketing affiliates that you give the offers a fair and accurate analysis–this is part of the deal. You get a chance to win a scholarship without writing an essay, and they get a student to review relevant offers. Who knows what great things their affiliates have in store for you!

One student will be awarded the $2,000 scholarship. The award can be used towards tuition, books and fees, room and board and other related expenses.

The next drawing is June 15, 2007. If you miss the opportunity to participate in this drawing however, the website offers the scholarship on a regular basis, so check back for more information about future awards. Past winners and their backgrounds can also be reviewed on the site.

The Components of an Appropriate Scholarship Application Request

Thursday, May 31st, 2007

Many scholarships require students to request an application by mail. Though it is less common now that many sponsors have online application processes available, you may at some point in your search find that it is necessary to write an application reqest letter.

Here is a good place to start:

Avoiding generic statements like, ‘To whom it may concern,’ is always a smart move. Get the attention of your audience by calling them by name. You may have to do a little digging to find the person that the letter needs to be addressed to as some scholarships (especially many that you find on the internet) do not provide detailed contact information. If you can’t get a name, however, it’s okay to address the letter to the organization.

In the first paragraph, introduce yourself. And remember that first impressions actually are important. State your year in school (this will also qualify you as an eligible candidate) and your goal. Tell the scholarship provider where you first learned about the scholarship through their organization. Was it on a bulletin board? In a newspaper? On a scholarship database? Some scholarship organizations like to know what door their applicants are arriving through and it’s helpful if you just mention it in your application request.

In the second paragraph, tell the scholarship provider a bit about yourself. Why are you a good candidate for the award? Find a fact that you feel sets you apart from other candidates and state it here.

Use the last paragraph to request an application and thank the scholarship provider or sponsor. It takes time, dedication, and money to offer a scholarship for students and it’s more than appropriate to let the sponsor know that their efforts are appreciated, even if you haven’t won the award.

Last but not least, check for spelling, punctuation, and grammar errors before submitting your request. Always include a self-addressed, stamped envelope so the organization can easily send you the information that you have requested.

Sports Journalism Scholarship

Thursday, May 31st, 2007

Have an interest in journalism, sports or both? This could be the scholarship opportunity that you’ve been waiting for.

Each year the NCAA Sports sponors the Freedom Forum-NCAA Sports-Journalism Scholarship Program. This program is designed to support and encourage students who are interested in pursuing a career in sports journalism and will give them an opportunity to demonstrate their talents to a scholarship committee.

The award is administered by the Freedom Forum by means of a grant from the NCAA. This is an annual scholarship program that rewards students whose work distinguishes them form their peers and, according to the website, “who have career goals in sports journalism and major in journalism or have experience in campus sports journalism.”

The scholarship is $3,000 and is awarded to eight students.

Eligibility requirements include:

  • Full time enrollment status in a college or
    university.
  • A U.S. citizen.
  • Students must be a college juniors entering their
    final year of study.
  • The goal of the program is to create an interest and passion for the freedoms of speech and press while encouraging students to develop quality journalism skills that can be applied later in their careers.

    For more information about this scholarship program contact:

    The NCAA Leadership Advisory Board
    P.O. Box 6222
    Indianapolis, Indiana 46206-6222
    317/917-6477

    A Solid Submissions Packet: The Key to Earning a Scholarship

    Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

    The title may sound dramatic–and maybe it is–but don’t dismiss the impact that a well prepared scholarship submission packet can have on the award commitee. Give the scholarship organization the right impression of you by presenting yourself in the best possible light when submitting to an award. This may mean tossing out your coffee stained essay and printing a new one–an incredible amount of extra effort, but it’s more than worth it.

    In my experience reviewing scholarship submissions, entries that were stained, crinkled, and looked as though they’d been put through a shredder and pieced back together, simply didn’t go over too well. When evaluating essays like this it was difficult not to notice how little effort the student was willing to put in. Is printing a fresh copy really that hard?

    Make an impression with your submissions packet; don’t just focus on a couple elements that you feel are the most important. Every piece of information that you include is significant, from the envelop to the essay. Some scholarship providers allow you to include more information that others; take advantage of this opportunity. Awards that allow you to include multiple pieces of information in your submissions packet are encouraging you to make a case for yourself. Why are you a good scholarship candidate? What separates you from other applicants? Use each article that you are including in your packet to answer these questions.

    Okay, so you’re starting to get just how important the overall quality of your submissions packet is, but getting started on this task can be challenging. Below you will find a checklist of the items that are typically included in a scholarship submission packet. Remember that most scholarship sponsors do not return the contents of your submissions packet, so save a copy of any essays or photos that you choose to include.

    Submissions packet checklist:

  • Cover letter
  • Current resume
  • A small photograph (optional)
  • Any essay, art work, or other entry media required to
    apply for the scholarship
  • A self-addressed, stamped envelop for notification
    purposes
  • The requirements for each scholarship submissions packet you submit will vary. Some may request that you only submit exactly the information that they have requested and no more. If this is the case, stick to the guidelines that they have provided. For scholarships that don’t clearly outline the information that should be included in your submissions packet, it is typically safe to include each of the items listed above.

    Good luck with your scholarship search!

    Increase Your Chances of Winning a Scholarship Right from the Start

    Wednesday, May 30th, 2007

    Requesting a scholarship application is an important part of the process of earning scholarships. Many students over look the fact that their application request is the first impression that they make on the scholarship sponsor.

    To request an application, hunt down the contact information for the scholarship that you are interested in. You’ll notice that many of the addresses associated with scholarships are P.O. boxes—mostly because many of the awards are made available by the relatives of a deceased individual, not necessarily by an organization. If you find an award online that you would like to apply for and find that there is no website link provided, or that the information is incomplete, I would suggest that you Google the title of the award. Google will typically find information about the award, so long as there is information to be found. If you still don’t prevail, try looking for the award listing in another scholarship search service database; you might find that their information is more complete.

    Once you have obtained the address or the phone number, you’re ready to begin inquiring about the award. Call first. Be polite and explain that you are calling in regards to scholarship xyz. Tell the sponsor where you found the information about their award and let her know that you are interested in participating. This is a great way to confirm the address of the organization before going to the trouble of preparing and sending a letter, only to find that the address has changed or that the organization is no longer offering the award.

    Your application request should be customized. It can be very tempting to download sample request letters online, but for the sake of demonstrating a sincere interest in the award, avoid relying solely on this approach. Instead, use any sample application request letters as a starting place. Begin building your own application request letter on top of the samples that you have found. Not only will this strengthen your appeal, but it will show that you are concerned enough about obtaining financial assistance to devote your fullest effort to this mission.

    The Leonardo Davinci Scholarship

    Sunday, May 27th, 2007

    Leonardo Davinci.org is offering a scholarship that appeals to art students and supports their interest in the great masters of the past. This organization provides lots of information about the life and work of Leonardo Davinci and is full of interesting facts that some of Leo’s biggest fans may not even be aware of.

    Interested in applying?

    To be eligible, students must be enrolled or planning to enroll in a college or university and be between the ages of 16 and 25. Students must also submit a 500-word essay that answers the following question:

    “Of the countless accomplishments that Leonardo Da Vinci has made in the fields of art, science, mathematics, etc.., what do you believe is his most significant accomplishment? (Please be sure to outline in detail WHY you believe this is his greatest achievment.) ”

    This is a $1500 award. The award covers any college related expenses including: books, tuition, room and board, and living expenses. The deadline for essay submissions is July 15, 2007.

    Entries must include:

  • Your full legal name
  • Address
  • Contact Number
  • Winners will be contacted four-weeks after the scholarship deadline. Only one winner will be selected to receive the scholarship and only the winner will be contacted.

    Admission Facts Scholarship

    Sunday, May 27th, 2007

    What do you know about you? Probably plenty–and if that’s true, then you already have a chance at earning this scholarship award.

    The Admission Facts Scholarship is sponsored annually by AdmissionFacts.com, a website dedicated to providing students with helpful information that they need to know to get into college and to successfully navigate the admissions process. Each year the website donates a portion of their revenue to help students pay for their college tuition. Scholarships are just one of the many ways that they are able to give back to students.

    If you are interested in applying you must:

  • Have a 2.0 GPA
  • Be a member of InCollege or College Bound (Simply
    register on the websites)
  • Be a student–highschool through grad school may
    apply.
  • In addition to the eligibility requirements, students must submit a 500 word essay that outlines educational goals, future commitments, and discusses obstables that may have been overcome to make it to college.

    Five students are awarded $1,000 scholarships that may be used towards tuition related expenses, books and supplies, and even room and board.

    To apply, submit an application on the AdmissionFacts.com website by November 1, 2007.

    The Excellence in Predicting the Future Award

    Friday, May 25th, 2007

    The Excellence in Predicting the Future Award is sponsored by Troy Studios and given to deserving students who demonstrate their capacity to trade in ‘futures’ every two months.

    This award is primarily directed towards students who have an interest in the stock market, economics, or simply have an acute interest in the goings on in the world around them.

    To be eligible to participate, students must:

  • Must be a high school student or older at time of
    application.
  • Be an undergraduate and/or graduate.
  • An international and U.S. student.
  • Awards are distributed based on students performance throughout the contest. According to the website, “Each award is allocated by calculating an exchange rate between the I$ (Intel Dollar, combined I$ cash balance plus I$ portfolio earnings) profits and the award money and offer to exchange up to the I$ profit for award money. ”

    If you are interested in developing your trading skills and earning some extra money for school, this is an excellent oportunity for you. Students can receive the award multiple times based on their performance, so high achievers may find this opportunity a very lucrative source of funding over time for their college tuition.

    For more information about the requirements and the contest rules visit Cenimar.com and register. After registering, you’ll be ready to being the process of earning cash for college.

    You Could Win a $10,000 Scholarship!

    Friday, May 25th, 2007

    Every student wants to go to college for free, but most just aren’t quite sure of how to bring their dream of a burden free education into reality. Free College Scholarships.com has just brought that dream one step closer for interested students.

    The first step in earning money for school is taking the time to apply for scholarships–a step which many students don’t take until its too late. You can get involved in your future today, simply visit FreeCollegeScholarships.com and apply for their annual $10,000 Scholarship Sweepstakes.

    For your chance to win, simply register on the site. All students are eligible–from high school to grad school–to participate in this great opportunity. To learn about past scholarship winners, simply vistit their website and read their stories.

    One important thing to remember about this scholarship is that if you win, the scholarship award is sent directly to you. This is a huge bonus because many scholarship providers send the award to the school, and the school then deducts the amount of the scholarship from the total amount of financial aid that you receive. Additionally, this award can be used be used toward any number of expenses for school–another huge bonus–including room and board and other living expenses.

    The deadline for the next drawing is May 31st 2008.

    All Ink.com College Scholarship Program

    Thursday, May 24th, 2007

    Got goals? Big plans for the future? All-Ink.com may have just the scholarship for you. Each year, for the past 8 years, all-ink.com has provided qualifying students with $5,000 in scholarship cash.

    It may sound too good to be true, but it’s not. Interested students simply have to write 2 brief essays, submit the online application, and meet the eligibility requirements.

    To participate, students must:

  • Have a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher
  • A permanent resident or United States citizen
  • Be enrolled or planning to enroll in a college or university in the United States by
    2008
  • If you meet the above eligibility requirements, you are encouraged to participate. The next step is to answer the following questions in a brief essay of 50 to 200 words:

    “Who has had the greatest impact on your life?”

    “What do you hope to achieve in your personal/professional life after college?”

    After answering these questions, simply submit the online application available at All-Ink.com and you’ll be on your way to winning a $5,000 scholarship.

    The deadline for this scholarship is December 31, 2007.

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