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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