This month

All about scholarships

• Feature — How to increase your chances with scholarships
• Web quest — Find a scholarship online
• Stay on track — A checklist of "to-dos"
• Take notice — Important dates
• All about AIEmail — Subscribe, suggest, review

Feature

How to increase your chances with scholarships

When it comes to scholarships, there are several things you can do to improve your chances. Here are some things to consider.

Apply early.
Every scholarship program is unique, so you'll find that application deadlines vary. Some programs time and date stamp their applications. Although the committee may not consider this as a factor in selecting those who receive awards, when you submit your application early, you may have an opportunity to revise or correct your information or submit parts you may have forgotten about.

Submit an easy-to-read, well-organized application.
Print or type neatly, and follow all the directions provided. Don't leave any item blank; if something does not apply to you, enter "none" or "not applicable." Don't leave it up to the committee to interpret your answers.

Check your grammar, spelling, punctuation, and organizational structure. Have a counselor, teacher, or parent review your application before submitting it. If the application allows you to include attachments, use them if necessary. Be creative in your approach in essays, but avoid doing anything too unusual, like sending your application in a strange, unmanageable, or oversized package.

Avoid redundancy in your essays.
Good writing is key. When you rush to prepare an essay, you may be more likely to repeat yourself — don't. Your goal in an essay is to show the selection committee three things: that you can write, that you can organize your thoughts well on paper, and that you can show something unique about yourself.

Make contact, but do it cautiously.
If it is allowed, try to make one contact with a member of the committee or with the organization. You can do this by e-mail, over the phone, or in person. Ask a question or express your appreciation for the program. Above all, however, be brief. Committee members may be busy, so you want them to remember you — but make sure they remember you positively. If you become a pest, you'll probably be eliminated from consideration quickly.

Stand out from the crowd.
One of the most difficult things to do, but also one of the most important, is to prepare your application in a way that makes you stand out to the committee. When you are able to show who you are through your application, you increase your chances of being selected.

Good luck with your scholarship applications!

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Web quest

Find a scholarship online

There are lots of resources on the Web to help you find scholarships. Here are a few:

• Adventures In Education Scholarship Search
  The Web site that brings AIEmail to you every week also features a scholarship search.
  www.AIE.org/Scholarships/index.cfm
• FinAid Scholarships for Specific Majors or Courses of Study
  If you already know what major you plan to study, this list of scholarships can be very helpful.
  www.finaid.org/otheraid/majors.phtml
• PrincetonReview.com Scholarship Search
  The Princeton Review's search offers personalized advice that matches where you are in the admissions process.
  www.princetonreview.com/finance/articles/scholarsearch.asp

You can also find more scholarship-related Web sites in AIE's "Internet Resources" (www.AIE.org/Links/Paying/index.cfm).

Watch for next week's issue of AIEmail for more scholarship resources!

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Stay on track

Checklist for this week

For freshmen

• Reading is important. Make an effort to read beyond what is required of you in your school assignments.
• Ask your teachers for reading lists. Focus on the subjects or topics that interest you.
• Remember that reading is a great way to expand your vocabulary. The more you read, the better prepared you will be for college admissions scores and tests.
• The holidays are approaching. Use any travel time and the afternoons on days off to catch up on some reading.
• Buy a small notebook to make notes about words you find that you do not understand. Make an effort to look for their definitions in reference books and practice using your new words in sentences.

For sophomores

• Grades remain important. You've completed one year, but you still have at least two more to go. Find out now how your grades are calculated, where they are recorded, and how you can raise them.
• Learn how your school calculates your grade point average. Ask for the formula, any details on the calculation, and whether the grades are weighted or unweighted.
• Ask about how your school determines rank-in-class. Find out if you might be eligible for special grants or scholarships if you rank highly.
• Get a copy of your transcript, and study it carefully. Understand what information is stored, and how it might be improved. Remember, the schools and some grant and scholarship programs you apply to will get a copy of this document. If some of the information is negative, discuss it with your counselor and your parents.

For juniors

• Check out the Financial Aid Calculators (www.aie.org/Calculators/index.cfm) on AIE to get an estimate of what you and your family may be expected to pay for college.
• Start planning for scholarship and admissions essays. Think about meaningful experiences you've had throughout your life and how they've shaped your values and your personality. Begin keeping a journal with notes and ideas you can use for your essays.
• The holidays are a good time to look for volunteer opportunities. Check with your local United Way for a list of organizations that may be looking for volunteers.

For seniors

• By this time, you should be rolling along with all of your classes, sports, and activities. Plan, manage, and prioritize your time wisely.
• Check your progress for your college applications, financial aid, and scholarships. Make sure you stay on track — it can be easy to forget important tasks you must complete!

For parents

• If you sense your student is feeling troubled, aggravated, or overwhelmed by school work or other responsibilities, have a face-to-face discussion and see if you can help him or her resolve some of these issues.
• The need to use academic resources is at its highest during the high school years. Find out if your student needs help. If Internet access is important, and you don't have a computer, offer him or her a ride to the local library. Keep important writing resources in a central location (dictionary, thesaurus, style guides), and find out what other items he or she may need.
• Tutors can be very helpful in improving grades. If help is needed, set up a couple of study sessions and watch for improvements. Many times, just having someone available to follow along with study tasks is enough to improve grades!
• Offer your help whenever possible. Don't do any homework for your student, but offer to do light proofreading or quiz them on vocabulary words. When you show your student you care, they frequently can stay more focused on the tasks required.

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Take notice

Important dates

Mark down these dates.

To get more information on the SAT or SAT Subject Tests, access useful tools, or register, visit the College Board's Web Site(www.collegeboard.com) or call (609) 771-7600.

To get more information on the ACT, access useful tools, or register, visit the ACT Web Site (www.act.org) or call (319) 337-1270.

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