These Scholarships Are Big!

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

TIP 1. "Mom... I can't find the scholarship information." “Which website was that from?" "What's my password?" If you haven't heard it or felt it yet, you will. But now you get the, must have, new Scholarship Organization system called ScholarFiles®

If you want to get scholarship money you must be organized. Get the ScholarFiles® system to help. It was created because students lose scholarship money regularly because they don't have this and can't find that – just not organized. Use ScholarFiles® to help you keep information about the scholarships so that you can get closer to being awarded. It allows you to keep records of contact info, usernames and passwords, dollar amounts awarded, the scholarship website address and more. Organization is so key to this process!

TIP 2. Locate a space in your home and start setting up a prep space you can use for researching and applying to college, scholarships and financial aid and use for studying this year. (corner of the kitchen, dining room, bedroom, etc) Gather office supplies you like to use. I recommend binders, folders and flash drives for sure. Also, set up folders on your computer or device (or use a flash drive) to organize documents including essays, student transcripts (official transcripts come from the high school), recommendations, and copies of the applications. Use ScholarFiles to organize scholarship information. Create an email address that looks and sounds professional and share it between parents and students (maybe create a family email -work together as a team).

TIP 3. Dedicate the time, 1 hour a day, to research and apply for scholarships. Think positively and be confident! Thoroughly read and follow the instructions and submit the application on time (preferably well before the deadline!) 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 directly for clarity. (Keep in mind, you may not always get a timely response. Some scholarship organizations do not have offices and could be run by a committee that meets infrequently) Bottom-line, not following instructions can cost you a scholarship. Clearly understand what is required of you.

TIP 4. 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. Discuss your goals, career interests, your college interests and how you gained those interests. ALWAYS FOLLOW the directions and do not just submit the same essay for every application. Some essay prompts are going to be very specific. Ask your English teachers for help and input. 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.

TIP 5. 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, 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 judge and 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.

Believe! You Can do it!

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

that are now open!

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: 5pm, October 31, 2020

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: 12 noon, October 26, 2020

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 immersion for African American college bound high school seniors.

Amount: $40,000 (20)

Deadline: January 9, 2021 —(postmarked)— 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