3 Giant Scholarship Applications Opened This Week

…and 5 Quick Tips to help you get awarded

The 3 scholarships listed below opened up on August 1st and they are ready to take your application for up to 7 million dollars! But Wait... I know you want to jump in, but prepare yourself and get organized first. Follow these 5 top quick Scholarship Application Prep tips:

1. Get a space in your home and start creating a prep space you can use for researching and applying to college, scholarships and financial aid and use for studying. (corner of the kitchen, dining room, bedroom, etc) Gather office supplies you like to use. I recommend binders and folders for sure. Also, set up folders on your computer or device to organize documents including essays, student transcripts (official transcripts come from the high school), recommendations, and copies of the applications. Create a spreadsheet to organize scholarship information. Create columns for the scholarship name, contact info and web address, deadlines, requirements, date submitted and notes. Create an email address that looks and sounds professional. Find a system or place to keep usernames and passwords for sites requiring you to create an account (consider your mobile phone and/or a small notebook)

2. Thoroughly read and follow the instructions. Research and read the FAQ Page (Frequently Asked Questions) on scholarship sites. If there's something you don't understand, don't guess, you are better off calling or emailing the organization for clarity. (Keep in mind, you may not always get a timely response. Some scholarships do not have offices and could be run by a committee that meets periodically) Bottomline, not following instructions can cost you a scholarship. Clearly understand what is required of you and gather all the required information together so that you have it handy.

3. Draft a basic autobiographical or general essay now and use it as the foundation for the essays you will need to write throughout high school as you apply for scholarships and college admission. ALWAYS FOLLOW the directions and do not just submit the same essay for every application. Some essay prompts are going to be very specific. Having a good foundation will be a great head start allowing you to copy and paste the pieces of one essay to use again on another.

4. Do not assume you don’t qualify and won’t get a scholarship. Too frequently I see students who don’t even attempt an application because they think they are not good enough or misunderstand the requirements. You must meet the requirements, yes, however, if you don't meet one of, let’s say, the 10 different requirements, that may not be a reason to avoid the application. For example, maybe you have a 3.4 instead of the required 3.5 or maybe 3 years of volunteering and not the 4 required – try it, apply. To be clear, I am not suggesting that if you don’t meet any of the requirements that you should ignore it and apply anyway, but if you are close, that may be reason to apply. As a scholarship reader, I have seen students who were awarded because one of their other characteristics stood out. Let the organization tell you that you are or are not eligible. If the answer is no, then just move on to the next scholarship application and keep trying. Keep in mind, there will be scholarship organizations that will strictly adhere to their requirements.

5. Dedicate the time, 1 hour a day, to research and apply for scholarships. Think positively and be confident! You Can do it!

Now You’re ready to check out these 3 Giant scholarships

that opened this month

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship

THE COCA-COLA SCHOLARS PROGRAM SCHOLARSHIP is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to graduating high school seniors each year. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, and their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.

Amount: Scholars -$20,000 (150); Community Academic Team - $1,500, $1,250, $1,00 (150 ea.); Leaders of Promise - $1,000 (200)

Deadline: October 31, 2017

For more information, visit: http://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org/applicants/

Horatio Alger Scholarship Program

As one of the nation's largest need-based college scholarship programs in the country, Horatio Alger Scholarship Programs specifically assist high school students who have faced and overcome great obstacles in their young lives.

Amount: - 106 $25,000 Scholarships Awarded. Other scholarships available as well

Deadline: October 25, 2017

For more information, visit: https://scholars.horatioalger.org/scholarships/

Ron Brown Scholar Program

Established in 1996 by the CAP Charitable Foundation, the Ron Brown Scholar Program (RBSP) honors the legacy of Ronald H. Brown, the late Secretary of Commerce, through a selective, multi-level scholarship and leadership program which focuses on academic achievement, community service and career emersion for African American college bound high school seniors.

Amount: $40,000 (20)

Deadline: November 1st —(postmarked)— application will be considered for the Ron Brown Scholar Program and forwarded to a select and limited number of colleges and scholarship providers. January 9th—final postmarked deadline in order to be considered for only the Ron Brown Scholar Program.

For more information, visit: https://www.ronbrown.org/section/apply/program-description