Post on 10-Oct-2020
Writing Scholarship Essays Bernadette Presloid
Writing Coordinator
NAU-Yuma Branch Campus
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Topics
Scholarship Search
Scholarship Application
Essay Writing
Writing Tips
Writing a Thank You Letter
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The Search
Check your college website
http://nau.edu/finaid/scholarships/
http://awcfoundation.azwestern.edu
http://www.hacu.net/hacu/Scholarships.asp
Free Search Engines
◦ http://www.fastweb.com/
◦ http://www.scholarships.com/
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More Free Search Engines
https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-
search
http://www.scholarshipexperts.com/
http://www.latinocollegedollars.org/
http://www.petersons.com/college-
search/scholarship-search.aspx
https://azfoundation.academicworks.com/
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Look for Scholarships
Tailored to You Here are a few examples: Caballeros de Yuma Scholarship (Continuing Education)
The Fund for Veterans Education
SAP Scholarship Program
Scholarships For Military Children
www.yumaregional.org/programs -------------------------------------------------------------------
https://azfoundation.academicworks.com/opportunities/736
https://azfoundation.academicworks.com/opportunities/696
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Read and Explore Website
Read for:
Eligibility
Criteria
Deadlines
Applicability to you
Gather your information – awards, employment, volunteer service, references
Develop a timeline/deadline
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Application Basics
Read/re-read instructions
Adhere to all requirements
Complete all sections
Do not leave any blanks – explain
If your application is incomplete, it
will not get past the first gatekeeper!
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Personal Characteristics
What personal qualities can you highlight?
What skills and abilities do you have?
What adjectives would people use to
describe you?
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Example Essay Prompt
Write a brief personal essay of no more than
300 words that addresses the following: What
health care career are you pursuing and why?
What are your educational plans to pursue
this career? What are your strengths, and why
are you suited to a career in health care? How
do you plan to finance your education? What
are your plans upon graduation?
(Sample Essay for YRMC Foundation 2012 Scholarship )
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Writing a Personal Statement or
Essay Who am I?
What do I care about?
What hardships have I overcome? (Briefly, honestly, without self-pity)
What can I contribute?
How am I distinctive, unusual, special?
Share stories, experiences, specifics, details, successes, statistics
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Writing Tips
Write concisely, honestly, personally
Check and double check spelling and
grammar
Modify each application/essay for each
organization
Contact references at least one month in
advance
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Write draft – put aside for a day or two –
then read with “fresh eyes”
Read again and again
No typos, misspellings, incorrect
punctuation
Read aloud slowly for clarity and logical
structure
PREPARE EARLY!
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Create a Resume
List volunteer experiences
List work experience
List specific abilities
List education, training, workshops
List awards, certificates
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Thank Scholarship Donor
One page typed
Main sections
Name of donor
Include scholarship name in introduction
Double check for spelling and
grammatical errors
Use award letter for correct spellings
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