Amanda Skorich Everyone wants free money, right? But… Applying for a scholarship is difficult! This self-reflective workshop will provide you with tips for building a successful application highlighting communication about your strengths and give you valuable resources for finding scholarships that apply to you. Come prepared for a workshop filled with activities to help you leave ready to click submit!

1. Scholarships:
Obstacles,
Strengths,
and Clicking Submit
Amanda Skorich
Director of Development
Minnesota State College
Student Association

2. Debt has Adjectives

3. Scholarship Fears

4. Facts about Scholarships
 Many scholarships actually don’t have many applicants.
 Boards are excited to give away their money.
 If you apply once and don’t get it, it’s ok to apply again.
 Applying should be free! Never pay a cent!
 In 2007-2008, The National Postsecondary Student Aid Study
said that $2.91 Billion were awarded in Undergraduate
Scholarships

5. The Basics
 Read the Whole Application
 Research the Company
 Set Calendar Deadlines
 Apply for as many as you can/set a goal!
 Apply for ones that are specific to you, not ones
anyone can apply for unless it’s very simple.
 Proof Read

6. NOT!

7. Did I Do That…?
 What you will need to know about yourself
 Activities/ Clubs you are involved in on your campus and
community
 Occupation you would like to enter
 Subject areas you excel at/favorites
 Honors/Awards/Special Recognitions
 Cumulative GPA
 Your positive qualities and strengths
 People who could write letters of recommendation
 People who could proof your application

8. Strengths
 Don’t Just List Your Jobs/Positions Held
 You need to express what skills you
learned/used.
 Why you are passionate about it?
Worksheet
• List your Jobs/Positions Held
 Choose three skills to match up with each

9. Draw Them a Picture
 How will you do that?
 You don’t know them!
 Share your personal stories.
 Tell them the truth!
 What’s different about you that is memorable?
 Tell them things that they can relate to.
 Ex:
 Question: What is your favorite subject in college?
 I love history class because I’m always learning
something new. My favorite history topic is the Civil War
because I like to participate in reenactments in my spare
time.
 People can relate better to the above statement
rather than “History” being your answer.
 Always think of a question as ending with, “why?”.

10. Letters of Recommendation
Components
 Introduction
 Explain that you are applying for scholarships and the
criteria you want them to talk about.
 Express why you picked them to talk about those points.
 Hard Ask
 Inform them about the company they are writing the
letter to so they can keep that in mind while writing the
letter.
 Give them the due date. If you are giving them plenty
of time, tell them the day before it’s due, just to make
sure.
 List where/how to submit it.
 Tell them when you want to know if they can do it by.
 Thank them for their time, their patience with you, their
mentorship, their support, etc.

12. There are Scholarships for Everything!
 Check out these areas you could receive a scholarship from:
 College Specific
 Athletics
 Academic
 Departmental
 Private Organizations
 Corporations
 Unions
 Volunteerism
 Religious
 Gender
 Profession/Career
 Need Based
 Parent/Family Member’s Employers
 Local Festivals
 Honor Societies
 Michigan Llama Association Membership Scholarships

13. Check these out!
 Careerinfonet.org/scholarshipsearch/
 Search over 5,000 Opportunities
 ScholarshipExperts.com
 Helps you find scholarships that match your profile
 FastWeb.com
 Create a profile, scholarship opportunities sent to you based
on your provided information
 Financialaidfinder.com
 Provides many sources for financial aid, not just scholarships.
 SFM Foundation Scholarship
 For Children with Parents Injured on the Job
 MSCSA McCormick and Leadership Scholarship
 www.mscsa.org/scholarship
 American Fire Sprinkler Association Scholarship:
afsascholarship.org
 Applicants read about fire sprinklers and answer questions
using the book for a chance at $2,000

14. Apply!
Questions?
Amanda Skorich
Director of Development
MSCSA
1515 Robert St. So. West Saint Paul, MN
55118
(651)203-9462
askorich@mscsa.org