Scholarships: What They Are and How to Secure Them | Chelmsford High School Guidance

1. Chelmsford High School Guidance Department presents $cholarships what they are and how to get them

2. What are $cholarships? • Free Money! • Also called “Grants” or “Awards”

3. Types of $cholarships • National • Regional • State • Local • School

4. Not just for Einstein's There are many different kinds of $cholarships… Financial – Need Based Academic – Merit Based Talent: Athletic Musical Artistic Etc. Other: Community Service Leadership Overcoming Adversity Students with Disabilities Specific/Quirky/Misc.

5. Can’t judge a book by it’s cover Don’t assume that it’s not for you • Read Eligibility Requirements • Don’t Exclude Yourself By Title • Examples

6. How/Where Do I Find $cholarships? • Start Right here at CHS!! • Naviance • CHS Website • Guidance Offices • Learning Commons • Daily Bulletin

7. CHS Website and Naviance • = www.chelmsford.k12.ma.us • National, State, Regional and Local Scholarship Application/Links • Link to web based applications • Scholarship Descriptions

8. Where else can I find $cholarships? Employers: • Check with your own employers • Check with your parents’/guardians’ employers • Union specific Colleges: • Institutional Forms • Check on specifics

9. $cholarship Search Engines www.fastweb.com www.finaid.org www.mefa.org/collegebound www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org/scholarship-search www.tericollegeplanning.org www.scholarships.com www.scholarshipexperts.com www.findtuition.com www.collegeweeklive.com

10. CHS Alumni $cholarships >80 available Scholarships included in one application packet Individual eligibility criteria and application requirements Due: January 10th, 2014 – this Friday! (Application must be completed online by January 10th. Transcripts must be requested through Naviance no later than January 10th. Put in “CHS Alumni Association” as recipient.)

11. Need Based 1 Application Form eligible for 60 private funds Due: March 14, 2014 (CHS senior pkgs. to Main Office for processing) *Must also file CSS Profile Form through College Board by February 11th Use code 3905 Town of Chelmsford $cholarship

12. Town of Chelmsford $cholarship • Interview Process: • All seniors are interviewed by the Selection Committee • You have one chance to make a positive impression • -Be prompt • -Dress appropriately • -Be prepared with necessary paperwork • Previous years • >50 awards totaling over • $60,000 awarded!! • Over half who applied, received a scholarship.

13. !!Warnings!! • Don’t pay money to find money! • Scam Alerts: Federal Warning Website – www.ftc.gov/scholarshipscams • Watch Out For Inaccurate FAFSA site correct one = www.fafsa.ed.gov(Free help to complete it at FAFSA DAY MASSACHUSETTS • See www.FAFSADAY.org for dates and locations.) • Be aware scholarships may impact financial aid

14. Procedures • Scholarship applications require transcripts • All requests must be made in Naviance • Scholarship Drop Down • Due Date • Specific Scholarship Name • Be aware of deadlines; you MUST request all transcripts at least 10 days in advance

15. Naviance ~ Requesting Transcripts For Scholarships • Go to the Colleges tab in Naviance. • On the left column, under resources, click on transcripts. • Under transcripts, click on the 2nd line: Request transcripts for scholarships or athletics. • On the form, the following are required: • Reason: from the drop down box, click Scholarship • Due date: fill in the scholarship deadline. • Recipient: fill in the NAME OF THE SCHOLARSHIP (not your name or CHS Main Office, …) • At bottom of page, click on Add Transcript Requests

16. NAVIANCE

17. Final Thoughts • Stay organized • Communicate concerning recommendation letters • Make copies • Adhere to deadlines • Learn how/when money is awarded • Be aware of terms of scholarships • Send thank you notes