Before
you start searching for any scholarships, it is important
that you first identify and document your qualifications and
skills; and information about your family’s background.
Qualifications are those characteristics about yourself that
make you eligible for a particular scholarship. The more information
you document about yourself and your family; you increase
your chances of identifying and applying for scholarships
in which you may have overlooked.
The
following outline will help you identify and document
your qualifications. Use a separate sheet of paper for
each heading. Your qualifications can be organized into
the following categories:
•
Personal
Information
Document
information about yourself, your educational and career
goals, college plans, etc. Many scholarships have certain
restrictions and eligibility requirements that may apply
to your geographic location, gender, test score, financial
need, field of study, etc.
•
Family
Profile
Document
information about your family such as: parent/guardian
information, family financial data, organizations or
union affiliation, employers, military affiliation,
ethnicity, disability impairment/medical condition,
and religious affiliation. Many scholarships have certain
restrictions and eligibility requirements that may apply
to you as well as your parents, stepparents, guardians,
and/or spouse. You may need your parent(s)/guardian,
or grandparent(s) assistance to help list their background
information.
•
Education
Document
information about your high school and/or college education.
Start with your most recent educational accomplishment.
List all of the basic details about the school(s) you
attended or currently attend, including the school’s
name, location (city and state), degree, date of graduation
(or expected graduation), major, and G.P.A. Then, immediately
below each school, list those courses, classes, and
seminars you attended which helped you to prepare for
a career with your field of study. Most college students
do not need to include information about high school,
but it is important to include other education attained
through community colleges and/or specialized training
programs.
•
Work
Experiences
Document
information about your work experiences. Volunteer,
research projects, internships, and cooperative education
programs that you experienced should also be listed
as work experiences. Start with your most recent employer
and give the dates of employment, the name of the employer,
and the employer's city / state address. Then, immediately
below each employer, state your job title and responsibilities.
This information will also help you create a scholarship
and job resume.
•
Extracurricular
Activities
Document
information about your extracurricular activities inside
and outside of school such as: leadership positions,
school involvement, community involvement, honors and
awards, artistic talents, and athletic talents. Start
with your most recent extracurricular activities. Extracurricular
activities are great ways to become a well-rounded individual
and improve your chances of winning a scholarship. Most
scholarship sponsors look for students who are “well-rounded”
individuals.
•
Interests/Hobbies
List
your interests and hobbies and other activities done
alone and/or with others that give you enjoyment.
This
information was excerpted from The Scholarship
Workbook. The
Scholarship Workbook will help you identify
and document information about yourself, your
educational and career goals, and your family’s
background.
