fill your piggy bank! cwu scholarships - gsa - outside resources - tips to apply scholarships 101...
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FILL YOUR PIGGY BANK!CWU SCHOL ARSH IPS - GS A - OUTS IDE RESOURCES - T I PS TO APPLY
Scholarships 101Workshop
Wednesday January 14th
Bldg. 29 - Room 214
&Thursday
January 15th
Bldg. 29 - Room 101
CWU Des Moines
3:30pm – 4:30pm
Last chance this year!
College Fund
Karen DanielsFinancial Aid CounselorCentral Washington UniversityBldg. 29 –main office- Room 269(509) 963 3838 –
Main CampusPhone (509) 963-1611Fax (509) [email protected] www.cwu.edu/scholarships
Overview
How do I get scholarships?Where can I get scholarships?How do I complete the GSA (General
Scholarship Application)?How do I apply for the COB
scholarship?Where can I get essay writing help?
Scholarship Hunting
SCHOLARSHIP HUNTING IS A SKILL SETTHAT WILL COME IN HANDY AFTER
GRADUATION:Meet an application deadline
Follow application instructions closelyIdentify your strengths and express them to
othersPrepare materials for others’ review
Compete against other qualified candidatesLearn to persevere through disappointment
Scholarship “Hunting Season”
It starts early!
Most scholarship deadlines are from
Octoberto
Marchfor funds to be used the following school year
InstitutionalPrivate Donors
CWU General Scholarship Application
Departmental Awards
Community-Based
National Awards
Group Affiliation
Two Sources of Scholarships
Community-Based Scholarships
Local groups give scholarships to students in their own town/area
Dollars for ScholarsService Organizations like Kiwanis or Rotary
Fraternal Orders/Masonic LodgesCommunity Education Foundations
Community-Based Scholarships
Many of these community-based organizations don’t come up in web-based scholarship searches
Check their websites and their Facebook
The easiest way to find out about these scholarships is to ask around!
Group Affiliation
Ethnic GroupsGender Groups
Religious GroupsLabor Unions
ClubsLocal Businesses
Social Organizations Political
Organizations Professional
Associations
What do you belong to? What industry are you trying to get into? What groups do your parents or other family members belong to? What about where they work?
National Awards
National Educational Foundations such as the National Merit Scholars or Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Usually merit- or need-basedMany large awardsCompetitive
How do I find scholarships I might qualify for?
WashBoard Stats:
34% of listed scholarships require a GPA of 3.0 or higher
More than half of scholarships are not based on financial need
The scholarships listed in 2013-14 represented over 6,600 individual awards.
Search the Web www.theWashBoard.org A non-profit scholarship matching
service Enter your criteria and the search
will return scholarships that you qualify for
www.cwu.edu/scholarships Upcoming deadlines for outside
scholarships Announcements of brand-new
CWU scholarships
Other Websites for Scholarship Searches
www.TheWashBoard.orgwww.cwu.edu/scholarships
www.scholarshipamerica.orgwww.desmoines.dollarsforscholars.org
www.fastweb.comwww.scholarships.com
www.educationgrant.comwww.finaid.org
www.studentscholarhips.orgwww.college-scholarships.com
www.scholarshiphelp.orgwww.collegetocareers.com
www.scholarshipsexperts.comwww.financialfinder.com
www.scholarships4school.com
At least use these sites, they will be the most help.
Create your profile
www.theWashBoard.org
Check your matches
www.theWashBoard.org
Complete your applications
www.theWashBoard.org
Search CWU’s List – Check monthly!
www.cwu.edu/scholarships
C W U F O U N D AT I O N RA I S E S F U N D S F O R S C H O L A R S H I P S
O C T O B E R 1 S T – M A RC H 1 S T E V E RY Y E A R
O N E A P P L I C AT I O N T H R O U G H YO U R S A FA R I A C C O U N T = O V E R 1 0 0 S C H O L A R S H I P S !
CWU General Scholarship Application
Who Gives Money to the Foundation?
CWU AlumniCommunity MembersLocal & State BusinessesCurrent CWU Students
Student Impact Scholarship Legacy Impact Scholarship
The generosity of people who care about CWU is what makes YOUR scholarship possible!
Step 4: COMPLETE THE ONLINE APPLICATION
https://my-tst.ea.cwu.edu/guest/?tab=PAPP_GUEST
Log into your MyCWU
Navigation: Campus Solutions Self Service
Campus Finances Scholarship
Application
Jump to slide 33
TAB 1: Personal Data
You can’t make changes on this tab…all info is pulled from your student record
TAB 2: Scholarship Questions
Get familiar with…
The magnifying glass icon
Refer to the step-by-step guide for how to look up pre-determined categories
Get familiar with…
The Plus Sign
Refer to the step-by-step guide for how to add extra information to your application
TAB 3: High School Activities
Complete this tab, even though you are now in college
Pre-determined categories—use magnifying glass icon to look up your activities (use free-form description area to enhance the information)
Select your grade levels that apply to the activity
Click the plus sign to add more categories
TAB 3: High School Activities
TAB 4: College Activities
Same format as the High School Activities Tab
Pre-determined categories—use magnifying glass icon to look up your activities (use free-form description area to enhance the information)
Select your grade levels that apply to the activity
Click the plus sign to add more categories
TAB 5: Volunteer Activities
Free-form entry of information
Dates of service must be in MM/DD/YYYY format
TAB 6: Scholarship Selections
Use your friends, the magnifying glass and the plus sign, to find your scholarships
Refer to your list of scholarships that you qualify for that require supplemental materials
Attach your documents directly to your application!
**No Supplemental materials means you automatically will be looked at for that scholarship!
Electronic AttachmentsPaper or E-mail Submission
QuickerEasierEditableSave on postageAssurance that we
received it
Wastes paperCost of postageUnsure whether we
received itCan’t make edits once
you turn it in
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS
SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS
PDF files
Essays: PDFLetters of Recommendation: PDF of scanned letter with original signature and letterhead
Documentation: Scanned PDF
Refer to step-by-step guide if you have trouble attaching!
TAB 7: Certification
Optional checkbox: Authorize CWU to publicize your name if you win
You MUST click “Submit” on this tab to complete your application
Come back and edit as many times as you want before March 1st
You’ll receive e-mail confirmation of completion
CONGRATULATIONS!
That’s all you need to do to apply for GSA
Scholarships!
TO DO C H E C K E L I G I B I L I T Y
S U B M I T A L L D O C U M E N T S I N T H E C O R R E C T F O R M AT
C O M P L E T E F O L LO W- U P TA S K S
College of Business Application
College of Business Application Eligibility Requirements – check before you apply
3.0 GPA for the major and CWU/transfer combined
Enrolled FULL TIME (12+) in Business program while you receive the scholarship
Can’t graduate before Winter 2016Read directions Nothing will be accepted after Feb 2nd at 5:00 PM
Read that full list at cwu.edu/business/student-scholarships
College of Business Application How to Apply
You have to apply online- can’t save your work Use the paper application to make sure your ready
Collect all unofficial transcripts Not transfer credit report From CWU and all other schools- via ours and their
websitesFind two references
Format is a printed email with required information View the step-by-step guide on our website
One COB faculty is preferredGet that essay started!
College of Business Application Essay
An uploaded essay, 1000 words or less (which will be evaluated for written communication skills), addressing any or all of the following: A) Honors, awards, civic and extra-curricular activities
during college B) Educational goals C) Other goals and aspirations; D) Significant work experience E) Special considerations relevant to the evaluation
committee’s decision
What I’ve done
Where I’m going
Why me?
College of Business ApplicationAnswer questions
Page 3- Answer all questionShould match other materialsDon’t understand the question? Likely that’s
not youFinancial Need?
Did you submit a FAFSA and complete any paperwork you needed?
Were you offered at some point a subsidized loan?- check award letter in mycwu or email
See me if you still have questions
College of Business Application Submit materials
COB has very specific requirements Follow directions! Don’t give up now!
All your docs need to be in 3 files1)Essay YourCWUID-YourLastName-Essay (ex. 12345678-Smith-Essay)
2) Unofficial transcripts- put all schools in one file YourCWUID-YourLastName –Transcripts (ex. 12345678-Smith-Transcripts)
3) References email- put both into one documentYourCWUID-YourLastName -References (ex. 12345678-Smith-References)
College of Business Application Follow-up tasks for the winners
PLEASE NOTE THESE REQUIREMENTS FOR THOSE RECEIVING AWARDS: 1) Submit electronically a short biographical summary, a
thank you letter, and a photo to the sponsoring organization.
2) Maintain full-time status (12 credits) and meet all award criteria for the period of time they receive the scholarship.
3) Scholarship funds must be used by winter quarter 2016, but may be typically used as early as summer quarter 2015.
4) Students receiving awards must attend the May 2, 2015 CB Honors Banquet at the CWU-Des Moines campus.
I’VE GOT A LIST OF SCHOLARSHIPS, NOW WHAT?
Success Tips
Step 1: MAKE YOUR LIST
Make a list of each scholarship you qualify for that requires supplemental
materials
Refer to the GSA Organizational Tool handout
A Helpful Tool!
Step 2: PREPARE YOUR MATERIALS
EssaysLetters of Recommendation
ResumesVarious Documentation
Strategies for Successful Essay Writing
Make sure you qualify for the award Start early—don’t write your essay at the last
minute Stay within the essay topic and word limit
Let the reader get to know YOU Cite specific examples and give details
Have other people read your workThink about what everyone else will write…and
then write something different Use the writing center!!!!
Sample Essay Questions
Applications will be evaluated based on an essay (500-1000 words) describing, in specific terms, how you hope to use
your IT management education/background to make a positive impact in the business world.
A 500 word letter of intent that identifies the applicant and describes the applicants drive and dedication to social justice
causes.
In 150 words, tell us the most unique or interesting thing you’ve every done to make or save extra money.
Why do you want to be a teacher? vs Why would you make a good teacher?
Letters of Recommendation
Ask EARLY! Give your writer plenty of time to complete your letter
Ask for several copiesLetters of rec do not need to be submitted in
sealed envelopes—you can attach them to your application
Send a quick thank you note You might need one again or want them as a reference
as well- it will set you apart
Resumes
Check with the Career Center for help writing your resume
See example in your packet
Employers only read your resume for 6 seconds!
Keep related content in the first third of the page
What we’ve learned today
It pays to apply for scholarshipsScholarship hunting season is during the fall
and winter of the year BEFORE you plan to use the scholarship!
The web is a great search tool, but not the only tool
It takes time and energy to apply for scholarships
The GSA is all online and it’s easy to complete!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How soon will I know if I won a scholarship?
A: End of May Q: What are my chances of winning?A: It varies from scholarship to scholarship;
ones that require supplemental materials always have fewer applicants.
Q: Do I have to reapply every year?A: Yes, you do, but some of your application
data is saved.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How will I be notified if I’ve won?A: Letter in the mail between April and June Q: How will I be notified if I haven’t won?A: E-mail to your CWU account in late JuneQ: Can I call and ask for awarding
information?A: No, we will not answer any questions
about the process until it is complete in May Q: Is there a paper application I can fill out
instead?A: No, the online application is the only one
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the GSA for both Grads and Undergrads?A: Yes, there are a few scholarships for grad
students; most are for undergradsQ: If I win a scholarship and transfer to
another school, can I take it with me?A: No, it can only be used at CWUQ: Can I use the scholarship for this current
year?A: No, it’s only good for 2014-2015
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: I don’t see any scholarships for my major on the GSA; does that mean there aren’t any for me?
A: Check with your departmentQ: Where do I get info on how scholarships
affect my financial aid package?A: Visit the Financial Aid OfficeQ: If I need help filling out my GSA, where do
I go?A: Consult the step-by-step guide; come to
Barge Hall 115
Got a Question?
5-10 minute Q & A