Tips for a Winning Scholarship Application
- Apply only if you are eligible.
- Complete the application.
- Read and follow all instructions.
- Submit a clean and neat application.
- Submit a well-composed essay that makes a definite impression.
- Be aware of and meet all deadlines.
- Mail application to the proper address with the proper postage affixed.
- Give your application materials a final review.
- Seek assistance if you feel you need it.
- Make sure you're proud of and satisfied with your application submission.
Reasons an Application Will Not Win a Scholarship
- Applicant mailed the envelope without the application enclosed.
- Applicant submitted an incomplete application.
- Applicant forgot to include their name and/or address.
- Applicant submitted an illegible or unintelligible application.
- Applicant sent the application with insufficient postage- returned "postage due."
- Applicant submitted irrelevant or inappropriate supporting documentation.
- Applicant submitted a dirty or stained application.
- Applicant applied for an award when falling short of the minimum requirements.
- Applicant made a number of spelling errors.
- Applicant was rude or abusive to the judges.
Tips to Protect Yourself Against Scholarship Scams
- Don't believe a promise of guaranteed funds you'll never have to repay. No one can
guarantee that you will win a scholarship or grant. Remember: if it sounds too good
to be true, it probably is.
- Beware scholarship services that charge fees or claim that you can't get this information
anywhere else. There are many free lists of scholarships available. Check with your
school guidance counselor, library and Scholarships.com before you decide to pay
someone to do the work for you.
- Ignore the myth of unclaimed funds and the companies that advertise huge amounts
of unclaimed money.
- Don't be fooled by official-sounding names and logos. Make sure the foundation,
organization or program is legitimate.
- Don't pay an advance fee. Don't pay anyone who claims to be "holding" a scholarship
for you or informs you the scholarship will cost some money. Free money shouldn't
cost a thing.
- Disregard any news that you're a finalist in any contest that requires you to pay
a fee for further consideration. Before you send money to apply for the scholarship,
check it out.
- Check the terms closely if there's a guaranteed refund or a money back guarantee.
Refund guarantees often have conditions or strings attached. Get refund policies
in writing -- before you pay.
- Resist high-pressure tactics like "We'll do all the work for you." Don't be fooled.
There's no way around it, you must apply for scholarships or grants yourself.
- Do not give out your credit card, bank or checking account numbers to any solicitors
who claim they need it for you to be eligible for either a contest or access to
"exclusive" scholarship information. Get information in writing first. It may be
a set-up for an unauthorized withdrawal.
- A lower fee is no guarantee that a scholarship service or program is legitimate.
Tips for Completing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal
Student Aid)
- Have available the following documents and information when completing the FAFSA:
- Most recent year's tax forms, or end of year pay stubs.
- W-2 forms
- Records of the most recent year's untaxed income, such as child support and untaxed
income from agencies such as Social Services, Social Security, and the Veteran Administration.
(You do not need to send copies of these documents with your FAFSA, however you
will need to refer to them when you file.)
- The student's correct social security number.
- Do not leave blanks for any questions requiring a numeric figure, such as a dollar
amount or a test score. If your answer to a question is zero, be sure to write "0".
- Read instructions and follow them carefully. Even if you have completed this form
previously, it is not safe to assume revisions have not been made to previous versions.
- If you are a parent completing the form for your children, be sure to complete a
separate FAFSA application for each student. Check that the social security number
reported is the correct one for the student filing the form, incorrect social security
numbers delay processing.
- If you are a dependent student, it is important that you enlist the assistance of
your parents and that you actively participate in completing the FAFSA. If the financial
aid office has questions they will contact the student first, and it is imperative
that both you and your parent(s) are aware of the information provided.
- Obtain the Federal school code from the school or schools you may be interested
in attending.
- Check figures and calculations. Mistakes delay the processing of up to 40% of all
forms processed.
- The asset questions pertaining to net value are for secondary and investment real
estate only. You are not required to report the net value of your primary residence.
- Sign the FAFSA, both the student and parent (if applicable) must sign and date.
- You should file early, but do not sign, date or mail the FAFSA before January 1.
By filing early, you may receive favorable consideration for receiving campus-based
aid. You must file a FAFSA every year. Any changes in your family situation should
be conveyed to your financial aid administrator, they might affect your eligibility.
Mistakes When Completing the FAFSA
- Incorrect Social Security Number- Verify with your Social Security card.
- Unsigned form- Be sure to sign and date the form (student and a parent for dependent
students). If you file the FAFSA on-line, be sure to print, sign, and mail the signature
page.
- Incomplete form- Complete the entire form. List the net worth of your assets as
of the day you complete the FAFSA. If your answer to some questions is zero, be
sure to write "0" instead of leaving the answer blank. Be sure to answer the question
related to drug convictions.
- Income earned from work left blank- Report the wages, salaries, and tips earned
from work for the student and each parent if the student is dependent. Report the
wages, salaries, and tips earned from work for the student and spouse if the student
is independent. This income will not be counted twice, but will determine your allowance
for Social Security tax payments and a special allowance for families in which both
parents are employed or the student and spouse are employed.
- Income tax paid is incorrect amount- Report the actual tax paid (usually determined
by the tax tables when completing the income tax form), not the amount withheld
by your employer as shown on your W-2 form.
- Number in household/number in school is incorrect- If you are a dependent student,
report only the people who live with your parents and will continue to receive more
than half of their support from your parents between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007.
If you are an independent student, report only the people living in your household
who will continue to receive more than half of their support from you between July
1, 2006 and June 30, 2007. In order to be included in the number in school, your
sibling(s), spouse and/or children must be attending at least 6 hours in one term
between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007 working towards a degree from a college which
participates in the federal financial aid programs. Parents are excluded from the
number in college for both federal and institutional aid.
- Be sure to indicate which schools should receive your FAFSA information.
- Graduate student status- most students are not working towards their second degree
and so will answer "No".
- Divorced/remarried parental status listed incorrectly- List the current marital
status of your custodial parent (the one with whom you reside and whose information
is listed on the FAFSA).
- Incorrect address- Write in your permanent mailing address; do not use your campus
or summer address.
Financial Aid Tips
- Prioritize your efforts, beginning with the federal government. Explore the private
sector for additional financial aid programs. Visit websites like Scholarships.com
to locate the private sector financial aid for which you can apply.
- Contact each school to explore the financial aid possibilities. Write to the school's
financial aid office as soon as you apply for admission. Applying for financial
aid should not affect your chances of being accepted.
- Be prepared. Students and parents should file their income tax returns early. You'll
need information from income tax forms to complete your financial aid applications.
- Get to know your financial aid administrator (FAA). Ask the 10 questions outlined
in "Top Ten Questions..." The help of the FAA will be valuable if questions arise
later on in the year.
- Submit a FAFSA even if you think you will not qualify for federal aid. Being rejected
for federal aid is sometimes a prerequisite for private awards. Some schools require
you to fill out their own application as well as a profile.
- Apply for aid as early as possible. Deadlines vary, but your application for Federal
Student Aid can be sent any time after Jan 1. An early application will help get
the best financial aid package possible.
- Take advantage of tuition prepayment discounts. Many colleges offer up to a 10%
discount for early payment.
- Money from grandparents may avoid gift tax liability if paid in your name directly
to the school.
- Investigate company-sponsored tuition plans. Many employers will invest in the education
of their employees or children of employees.
- Apply for financial aid each year you are in school. Even if you receive aid during
one year, you must reapply to get it for the next year. Use the Renewal FAFSA form
to reapply for aid and save time. See your FAA for assistance.
Questions for Your Financial Aid Administrator (FAA)
- Will my request for financial aid have any impact on my ability to be admitted to
this college?
- Will the college meet my full financial?
- Will the college continue to meet my full financial aid need for all four years
of my enrollment?
- Describe your financial aid program, including requirements for need-based aid,
merit-based aid and scholarships.
- What application materials are needed to apply for financial aid, and does the college
require its own form in addition to the FAFSA?
- Where can I find additional sources of financial aid?
- What are the deadlines for submitting financial aid forms? Are there state financial
aid programs that I should know about?
- When will I be notified of my financial eligibility?
- Once my financial aid package is awarded, will additional scholarships reduce the
amount of financial aid I can receive?
- Does this college participate in a tuition payment plan that allows installment
payments for each semester's bill?
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