Finding and Applying for Scholarships: A Tutorial

This post is a simple tutorial on how to find scholarships.  I'm just going to outline some simple steps that would help anyone get started with finding scholarships.  You can use any of these steps alone or any combination of these steps.  The only thing I would recommend as an absolute is keeping a list of scholarships you will apply to on an XCel Spreadsheet.  That way you don't just find scholarships--you find them and apply to them!  (Read the post about How to Organize Scholarship Applications)

• College Websites
• If you are thinking about a specific college--check out their scholarships as early as possible.  They might use the "Index" for Academic Scholarships, and it can help to have a specific goal for GPA & ACT if you know there is $$$$$ waiting at the end
• Colleges not only have academic scholarships--but also leadership, financial need, ambassador programs, and department scholarships.  
• Scholarships given by a university must be used AT that university, but if a university or college is on your possible go-to list, then you should apply for every possible scholarship they disburse!  
• Use Pinterest to find all sorts of scholarships, as well as tips on how to effectively complete the scholarship applications
• Type in simple search terms "college"  or "scholarships".  Start there, and as you find things you like, add them to a folder for future reference
• Pinterest is linked with one blogger that posts scholarships for each month.  I type in "January scholarships" or "February scholarships", and a list specific to each month comes up!  
• This is as simple as it gets!  Use this to find scholarships for the coming month, apply, then repeat each month!  
• Use the websites, blogs, and resources you have found!  Read them, follow the directions, and 
• Have the XCel Spreadsheet up at the same time and flip between the two screens to get all the information from Pinterest on to your own Personal Scholarship XCel Spreadsheet
• Use Google.  
• Use different search terms to yield different results.  Type in "scholarships for high school students" or "scholarships without GPA requirement"
• Again--have the XCel Spreadsheet up at the same time and flip between the two screens--adding information about scholarships onto the XCel Spreadsheet
• Use Scholarship Engines
• Read about 20 of the best scholarship search engines here.  Don't be afraid to use a few different ones, because they all have different strengths.  
• Don't mistake a "scholarship search engine" for "completing a scholarship application".  You still have to actually fill out the application yourself!
• Use the "The Ultimate Scholarship Book 2017" by Tanabe.  They come out with one every year--and every year it's a great resource to look for scholarships based on areas of study and interest.
• We have copies of this book in the library--use them!  Of course you can buy your own, but if you don't know if you'll use it, start with the library copy.  Spend a few hours and become familiar with it, and then you can decide if you'd like your own copy of the biggest Scholarship Book available.

So...that's how you FIND scholarships.  But as I said before, if you don't actually apply, you're at the same spot as before.  Sure, you're more informed, but your bank account is still holding the same amount of dough.  So, how to actually apply for scholarships?  Read on.

• Do you have your XCel Spreadsheet of scholarships?  If not, just email Mrs. Krim at krim.scholarship@gmail.com to request it.  It's a basic template to fill in with your own scholarships.  
• Fill in the XCel Spreadsheet with scholarships--don't be afraid to put down a scholarship for a later year!  In fact, that is EXACTLY what you should do!  Include all scholarships that you'd like to aim for--even if they are 1, 2 or even 4 or more years out.  
• I would suggest making one tab for High School Scholarships, and one tab for College Scholarships.  But besides that, don't be overly concerned whether it is for any specific grade in high school at this point.  You'll organize them later.  This step is just about finding scholarships.  
• Once you've filled in the XCel Organizing Scholarships Spreadsheet with a minimum of 10 scholarships, organize them according to grade and date.  
• Start on the scholarship that is open now!  Don't wait for the due date!  
• One way that helps students complete the scholarship application is if they have an actual checkoff list.  You can use the checkoff list on the XCel sheet, or write an actual checklist for each scholarship (sometimes a paper checklist posted where you work on it daily is most helpful)
• Don't skip the "final review".  This is where you double check that you have ALL the material, documents, essays, and information for the application. 
• If you are missing one thing, they will automatically eliminate your application.  It doesn't matter how great your essay is--if you forgot the transcript--you're out of the running.  Be sure to go through this "final review" at least 2 weeks before the due date to allow yourself time if you forgot something.
• Once everything is completed, submit your application.  Most scholarship applications are now online--so be sure that it's 100% before you hit "submit".  
• If you are completing an application that is still paper-and-pen and mailed in, be sure to read the fine print:  some applications must be RECEIVED by the due date, others simply have to be postmarked.  Make sure you know which one to do--and do it!

College Spotlight: Utah State University AND USU-Eastern

Utah State holds an impressive place within the consortium of Utah Colleges:  it is the only Land-Grant University in the state, as well as a research institution.  As a land-grant university, they have a mandate to educate the population of the state of Utah, and as a research institution, they must maintain high levels of professional opportunities and ongoing research run by their faculty.  In addition, Utah State University (USU), isn't just one campus located in Logan, Utah--it also incorporates a specific 2-year campus, (USU-Eastern in Price) and technical campus (USU-Blanding).  

• USU now incorporates the Logan main campus, as well as USU-Eastern (Price), and USU-Eastern in Blanding.  It is the same application and deadline for all of them (January 10), as well as the same deadline for all programs and scholarships
• Students can begin at USU-Eastern at a reduced price ($3,500 / year for tuition and fees compared to $7,000 / year for tuition and fees at USU-Logan).  
• If you go to USU-Eastern, you are still part of the "USU System", and can go to USU after USU-Eastern without having to apply again (as long as your GPA is above a 2.5 GPA)
• You simply fill out a form to continue with your Bachelor's Degree, and that's it!  
• USU-Eastern is OPEN - ENROLLMENT
• Anyone who has completed high school can get in--it's a great option for students who might not have earned good grades in high school, but still want to excel in college.  
• Cost is affordable:  tuition & fees are $3,600 for the YEAR!  
• A good option to start at Price--earn Associate's Degree--then move to Logan, Utah
• Remember...your first two years are mostly made up of earning your "general" credits, which are the same no matter where you go.  
• If you are at USU, USU-Eastern, Weber, or the U--you'll still have to take English 1010, Math 1010, as well as other "general" credits.  Look at which colleges will help you succeed in this goal, and help you move on to earning your Bachelor's Degree
• Utah State (Logan):  does have admissions standards
• 2.5 GPA, 17 ACT, and a 90 Index Score
• Encouragement for Students:  Apply Early!  
• Deadline for ALL Scholarships on ALL Campuses:  January 10th!
• This deadline applies to everything:  Honors College, Academic Scholarships, Aggie Involvement, 
• Last year, the Admissions Department received 700 phone calls after the deadline--there is absolutely nothing they can do!  The deadline is hard and firm!
• They also have more money in their need-based scholarship section.
• Be sure to apply for FAFSA, then complete the financial application, and get everything submitted on time.  
• Utah State hosts 9 Open Houses around the state
• This is a great all-stop-shop.  Students apply before, then receive a scholarship award at the Open House
• If you go to Utah State, call ahead and schedule a tour, a classroom visit, as well as attend a game  (They have tickets for students to attend a football or basketball game)

Here is some advice that not only applies to Utah State, but to ALL colleges!  

• With the application:  the field that asks for the "Driver's License #" is what determines where the student's residency is
• If a Utah Driver's License--they are flagged as a Utah Resident
• If a student doesn't have a Driver's License, they are "flagged" as a non-resident, and will have to pay out-of-state taxes.  You can prove that you are, in fact, a Utah resident, but it takes a lot of work.
• Lesson:  Get your Driver's License!  Or at minimum, a State ID Card
• Utah Colleges really are affordable!
• Before being determined to go out-of-state, check out the price comparison between State Colleges IN Utah and those out-of-state
• Don't sell Utah colleges short!
• They have amazing programs, faculty, and facilities.  Just because it's "here", doesn't mean that you're getting shortchanged with your college experience. 
• In-state / Out-of-state
• If out-of-state is still your #1 goal, then be sure to check out the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) to lower the pricetag.  
• It doesn't matter what the deadline is--80% of students will be applying the night before
• The system can be overwhelmed and crash
• If your application doesn't get turned in--that's final.  They can't open up the application again.
• Every year, USU receives about 700 calls from students that experience this sort of situation.  Every year, they are told, "Nothing we can do."  Don't be that person!  Apply early!
• This is true for all colleges and universities--too many apps on the last night can crash the system!  Plan early, apply early!  
• General Advice worth following:  be comfortable on the college website.
• Be familiar with how it's organized, the terms, and the programs available.  
• It will help when you are filling out the college application, and need to navigate the website quickly.  

Whew!  That's a lot of information!  I'd suggest going back and rereading it as many times as needed, and making sure you use the suggestions specific to Utah State, as well as the advice that can be applied to any college!  Good Luck!