Scholarship Resources

Start researching for scholarships, and create a package that helps you stand out.

Scholarship Guide and Resources

When should you start gathering information and applying for scholarships? Now, start at the beginning of the school year, the fall semester, or work on it during the holiday break and continue in the spring semester.

How to start: Common scholarship package

Complete the FAFSA application online as soon as possible - New-open December 31
Schedule and take standardized test scores (ACT & SAT for high school students-reach out to counselor)
Create or update your resume, records of extra curriculum activities, community services, or brag sheet
Request for Letters of Recommendation and have materials available or a brag sheet ready now!
Start your scholarship essay with a draft tailored to each sponsor's goals
Order Transcripts. Unofficial transcripts are free, and official transcripts have a fee
Search and track scholarships and deadlines and review weekly

Where to start:

Go online; KISF & KHS scholarship websites for scholarships and resources
Ask your financial aid or school counselor, employers, public library, or businesses
Start with community, school, and state scholarships first, then continue with other scholarships
Attend school scholarship and financial aid workshops, help sessions for assistance, and plan:

Visit scholarships website
Find Scholarships for which you qualify
Fill out the scholarship tracking spreadsheet
Watch videos, use links to resources
Complete rough drafts for each application
Save materials and print copies for editing

Tips for Applying and Managing the Scholarship Search

Start searching for scholarships as soon as possible. There are scholarships available earlier and can use the ones from last year to start working, so don't wait until the spring of your senior year. Continue searching for scholarships even after you are enrolled
Follow Remind, Facebook, or Instagram, and reach school emails and news to stay up to date with alerts and notifications of scholarships and opportunities
Look for local scholarships on bulletin boards near the guidance counselor or financial aid offices, or the library's jobs and careers section. Kodiak Island Scholarship Fair has more options of scholarships
To win more scholarships, apply to every scholarship for which you are eligible. It gets easier after several applications. Also, pursue small awards and essay contests. Essays can be reused and tailored to each new application.
Don't miss deadlines. Use the scholarship tracker to get organized. Set up once a week time to review them
Tailor your application to the sponsor's goals. Read and follow the instructions carefully.
If you have difficulty writing essays, record yourself as you answer the question out loud and transcribe the recording. Most people think and speak faster than they can write or type. Write an outline afterward to organize your thoughts.
Personalize your essay and be passionate. Write about something of interest to you. Make your application stand out from the crowd, talk about your impact on other people, and give specific examples.
Check your online presence to ensure that it looks professional. Review your social media profiles and remove inappropriate and immature material. Use a simple email address, such as firstname.lastname@gmail.com.
Print a copy of your essay and the application for a tutor or professor to check on spelling and grammar errors.
Proofread your materials and have a teacher, tutor, counselor, parent, or English major friend review your application and essay. They can provide feedback and catch mistakes.
Present your application well by typing your essay instead of handwriting to help check for grammar and spelling errors. Find a program to make your application fillable or work on a Word Document and save
Make a copy of your application before mailing it. Drop before the deadline in person, or send by certified mail, return receipt, or with delivery confirmation, unless online submission is available.

Common Scholarship Application Mistakes

• Missing deadlines
• Failing to proofread the application
• Failing to follow directions, especially regarding essay length and the number of recommendations
• Omitting required information
• Applying for an award when you don't qualify
• Failing to apply for an award for which you are eligible
• Failing to tailor the application to the sponsor
• Writing a boring essay
• Writing an essay that may offend the reviewer
• Including exaggerations or lies on your application

• Frequaliy Ask Questions?

Beware of Scholarship Scams
• If you must pay money to get money, it’s probably a scam
• Never invest more than a postage stamp to get information about scholarships or to apply for a scholarship.
• Nobody can guarantee that you’ll win a scholarship.
• Do not give out personal information like a bank account, credit card, or Social Security number.
• Beware of the unclaimed aid myth. The only money that goes unclaimed is money that can’t be claimed

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Scholarship Help Resources

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