Congratulations! Simply for the fact that you are reading this article demonstrates that you are taking the initiative to explore your options for pursuing your education beyond your high school graduation. At the same time, the South Nodaway R-IV District knows that each of you are working continually to make this school year the very best. It is no secret that a higher education will better prepare you for the competitive world of tomorrow. I personally know that having an education can take you far and as our marketplaces become ever more global, it is imperative that you never stop learning.
There are a number of local, regional, state and national scholarship opportunities available in this book to help you achieve your goals. As well as many tips regarding: filling out the scholarship application, asking for letters of recommendation, writing scholarship essays, etc. I urge each of you to take advantage of this great opportunity and apply for any and all scholarships for which you may be eligible. I have been amazed at how many scholarships are awarded year after year at our graduation ceremonies.
I cannot stress strongly enough that you must apply to reap the rewards of scholarship monies. I realize that it takes time and motivation to talk to your counselor and fill out applications and forms, but this effort will pay off. I have come to learn over the past 6 years that there is a strong correlation between the number of scholarships a student applies for and the amount of money they receive for post-secondary education despite their class rank. So don’t despair if you are not the valedictorian or salutatorian of your class. Many students who were in the bottom half of their class in rank have received several scholarships simply because they filled out more applications then others in their class.
If you need help at anytime please don’t be afraid to come and ask for it. I am more than happy to help.
-Mr. Wray
What Makes a Highly Successful Scholarship Winner?
Review the following habits of scholarship winners for tips on how you can
make your scholarship quest successful. Successful students always remember the five P’s – Prior preparation prevents
poor performance.
1. Prepare for the scholarship search early. Do not wait until
your senior year.
2. Successful students do not rely on their parents to do all the work.
3. Successful students vigorously avoid mistakes on their essays and
applications. They always spell-check, proofread, and allow one other person
to proofread their applications and essay for errors.
4. Successful students do not ignore scholarships that may be local or those for
small amounts. Scholarship amounts, even as small as $50, can add up.
5. Successful students do not rely on only one source such as the Internet for
their scholarship search. They use many resources. Many scholarships on the
Internet or in the free scholarship searches that you find on the World Wide
Web are nationally known and are harder to win due to greater competition.
Local and regional scholarships are not found as easily through an Internet
search, although they may be easier to win because the applicant pool is
smaller. You have to use a combination of resources to find as many
scholarships to apply for as possible.
6. Successful students market themselves well. In their applications, they
highlight positive aspects about their lives, especially community
involvement.
7. Successful students do not apply to one or two scholarships and wait for the
best. They apply for all scholarships they are eligible to win. They keep
applying until the total they have won exceeds what they need to pay for the
college they want to attend or until they graduate with a degree.
8. Successful students are organized. They keep track of deadlines and
materials required to complete an application.
9. Successful students are well rounded. They participate in extracurricular and
community activities. They write about these activities in scholarship and
college essays in a descriptive manner. They try to benefit others as well as
themselves with the extracurricular and community activities in which they
are involved.
10. Successful students understand that SAT scores and grades alone do not win
most scholarships. Scholarship programs look at many factors such as
community activities, leadership, presentation of your application package,
special or unusual talents or skills, etc.
11. Successful students do not look for the easy way out. It is harder for them to
believe in a scholarship scam that promises to do all the work for them. They
understand that those things for which we work hardest often bring the
greatest rewards. Hard work in the scholarship process as a high school
student could result in an easy college life without work later, or a loan-free
life after college.
MORE INFO:
There are a number of local, regional, state and national scholarship opportunities available in this book to help you achieve your goals. As well as many tips regarding: filling out the scholarship application, asking for letters of recommendation, writing scholarship essays, etc. I urge each of you to take advantage of this great opportunity and apply for any and all scholarships for which you may be eligible. I have been amazed at how many scholarships are awarded year after year at our graduation ceremonies.
I cannot stress strongly enough that you must apply to reap the rewards of scholarship monies. I realize that it takes time and motivation to talk to your counselor and fill out applications and forms, but this effort will pay off. I have come to learn over the past 6 years that there is a strong correlation between the number of scholarships a student applies for and the amount of money they receive for post-secondary education despite their class rank. So don’t despair if you are not the valedictorian or salutatorian of your class. Many students who were in the bottom half of their class in rank have received several scholarships simply because they filled out more applications then others in their class.
If you need help at anytime please don’t be afraid to come and ask for it. I am more than happy to help.
-Mr. Wray
What Makes a Highly Successful Scholarship Winner?
Review the following habits of scholarship winners for tips on how you can
make your scholarship quest successful. Successful students always remember the five P’s – Prior preparation prevents
poor performance.
1. Prepare for the scholarship search early. Do not wait until
your senior year.
2. Successful students do not rely on their parents to do all the work.
3. Successful students vigorously avoid mistakes on their essays and
applications. They always spell-check, proofread, and allow one other person
to proofread their applications and essay for errors.
4. Successful students do not ignore scholarships that may be local or those for
small amounts. Scholarship amounts, even as small as $50, can add up.
5. Successful students do not rely on only one source such as the Internet for
their scholarship search. They use many resources. Many scholarships on the
Internet or in the free scholarship searches that you find on the World Wide
Web are nationally known and are harder to win due to greater competition.
Local and regional scholarships are not found as easily through an Internet
search, although they may be easier to win because the applicant pool is
smaller. You have to use a combination of resources to find as many
scholarships to apply for as possible.
6. Successful students market themselves well. In their applications, they
highlight positive aspects about their lives, especially community
involvement.
7. Successful students do not apply to one or two scholarships and wait for the
best. They apply for all scholarships they are eligible to win. They keep
applying until the total they have won exceeds what they need to pay for the
college they want to attend or until they graduate with a degree.
8. Successful students are organized. They keep track of deadlines and
materials required to complete an application.
9. Successful students are well rounded. They participate in extracurricular and
community activities. They write about these activities in scholarship and
college essays in a descriptive manner. They try to benefit others as well as
themselves with the extracurricular and community activities in which they
are involved.
10. Successful students understand that SAT scores and grades alone do not win
most scholarships. Scholarship programs look at many factors such as
community activities, leadership, presentation of your application package,
special or unusual talents or skills, etc.
11. Successful students do not look for the easy way out. It is harder for them to
believe in a scholarship scam that promises to do all the work for them. They
understand that those things for which we work hardest often bring the
greatest rewards. Hard work in the scholarship process as a high school
student could result in an easy college life without work later, or a loan-free
life after college.
MORE INFO: