Helpful Scholarship Tip - MUST READ

Tip #1 - ATTENTION TO DEADLINES
Try and have your application arrive EARLY as possible, absolutely not after the deadline date! Send applications with a “return receipt requested” or “registered” to make sure they get there. This also conveys a positive characteristic about the sender.

Tip #2 - START YOUR APPLICATION WITH A “THANK YOU” COVER LETTER

Sample Cover Letter:
YOUR NAME
Address
City, State, Zip Code
Telephone number and Email address

Name of person
Title
Name of organisation
Address
City, State, Zip Code

Dear (insert name):

This letter is an introduction of myself, (your name), and my desire to participate in the (whatever it is called) Scholarship Programme. I have been accepted to (Name of your College) for the 2008 academic year.

I would like to thank you and the (whatever) Scholarship Committee for supporting college students with an opportunity for financial assistance through your scholarship programme. Enclosed you will find my application form, academic transcript, letters of recommendation, and other pertinent information.

Again, thank you for your attention to all these matters and for your consideration of my application. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Your name

Tip #3 - ANSWER THE “MAIL”
While this seems obvious, you must construct your application to make it EASY for the committee to see that you have provided everything that was required. Provide items in the order that they are listed in the application. You can add extra items that were not requested to give your application that something extra. However, DO NOT add extra items if you are specifically told not to add anything extra. This means that you are not follow instructions if you add items when your are forbidden to do so.

Tip #4 - ADD EXTRA ITEMS TO YOUR APPLICATION (if not forbidden).
This is where you get to be creative to find ways and things that present you in a positive light to the selection committee. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

1. Write a short essay on MY EDUCATION/CAREER GOALS. Try to keep to one page.
2. If you have any documentation congratulating you on being in the top 10% of your class, include it because it puts you in a “positive light” and your hard work at your academics was recognized.
3. One of the best extra items is a letter of acceptance for admission to “any” college. If the scholarship application is not for a specific college, you will be able to use the award at “any” college. Later you can get more college acceptance letters and when your make your selection you can notify the scholarship award committee of where to send the award. Therefore, any letter of acceptance shows that your are serious but it does not “lock” you into using the award at that college.

Limit your extras to three or four at the most. Again, MAKE SURE you are not forbidden to add extra items before you do so.

Tip #5 - PERSONALIZE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
This is a tip that conveys you took the time to make this application special. When you have a letter of recommendation addressed to the specific organisation or person that is administering the application process it says that you took the time and effort to make this letter “Special” for them. If all you have is a letter that starts “To Whom It May Concern”, it is better than nothing. But if you can personalize the letter it says you cared to send the very best.

TIP #6 - PROOF READ ALL MATERIALS. NEATNESS IS A MUST.
When you write anything you must use correct grammar and spelling. If you have a problem in this area ask your English teacher to help you with proofreading your essay, cover letter, extra items you have included, and even letters of recommendation prepared by others. When there are hundreds or thousands of applications to review, correctness and neatness become the first screen out factor.

TIP # 7 - SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION IN A CLEAR PLASTIC FOLDER
Now that your application is complete, the final “presentation” tip is to place all of your items in a clear plastic folder, with a slide locking binder. The cheap clear ones are good so that your “Thank You Cover Letter” (Tip #2) is on top. For that final “touch” include a wallet size picture of you in the lower left side of your packet. The next item/s in you application packet are those required in the application (Tip #3 Answer the mail). Next, any extra items (if not forbidden) and finally any letter(s) of recommendations. Your application packet is a great looking presentation of YOU, don’t mess it up by folding it to fit a small envelope. Consider sending it “Return Receipt Requested” so you know it arrived!