Tips for College Scholarship Applications
- College Guide for Indigenous Students
https://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/indigenous-native-student-guide/
5 Tips for Scholarship Applications by Affordable Colleges
Applying for scholarships is a nail-biting experience for any student seeking educational funding, but this can be especially true for Native American students if they feel they don’t have a good handle on the process. Check out some quick tips below to feel confident in your applications.
If you haven’t already established your enrollment, now is the time to do it. Each tribe has different requirements for enrollment, but in general you will need to present birth certificates for yourself, your parents and possibly your grandparents, alongside any tribal documents. Once you’re successfully enrolled, you can present your tribal identification card or a letter from your tribe to satisfy scholarship requirements.
2. Be yourself
You may think your story is the same as everyone else’s, but that’s simply not true. By taking time to share unique details of your life (such as tribal traditions, your hero/inspiration, that you’re a first-generation student, etc.), scholarship essay reading panels get a true sense of what distinctive strengths you bring.
Dr. Dean Chavers, co-founder of the education and scholarship organization Catching the Dream, says that not asking for help is one of the biggest mistakes Native Americans make. “A student came to us to try to win scholarships…his first draft [essay] was a C+. By his fifth draft, he had an A level essay, which won him 70 scholarships.” You may not like your first attempt, but others can help you make it a great final product.
Serving others less fortunate than yourself is a good thing to do regardless, but students should also keep in mind that some Native American scholarships want to see a demonstrable volunteer record of applicants helping their own. It’s best to get plugged into a community role early in high school.
Understanding all the rules and requirements of receiving scholarships and attending college may seem overwhelming, but all that hard work pays off if you keep at it. Consider asking friends, family, and members of your tribe to support and hold you accountable for your goals.
- More scholarship advice from Purdue University
https://www.purdueglobal.edu/blog/student-life/scholarships-minority-students/
10 Tips for Scholarships Applications
- Make sure you are eligible. Don’t waste your time or the time of the scholarship giver. When you scan scholarships, first make sure you meet the criteria. Focus on appropriate scholarships by their due dates.
- Research past scholarship winners. By looking online at biographies of previous winners, you can better understand the type of person a scholarship committee is looking for.
- Create a scholarship checklist. Keep on task by scheduling submission deadlines, instructions, and things to do for each scholarship you’re interested in—for example, writing essays or getting letters of recommendation.
- Follow instructions carefully. Applications that do not follow instructions to the letter are discarded, so be sure to provide whatever information and materials the scholarship requests.
- Highlight your strengths and weaknesses. Brag about your accomplishments, such as your GPA or volunteer work. Don’t neglect to talk about your weaknesses or gaps on your application, and use this chance to explain yourself. This honesty can work to your benefit.
- Make time for your essay. Thoroughly review the essay question and take your time articulating an answer. Give yourself time to research your answer, and make sure to give your writing the care it deserves.
- Check yourself carefully. Bad grammar, poor punctuation, and an unorganized essay can hurt your chances of receiving an award. Have someone proofread your essays and personal statements before you submit them.
- Secure letters of recommendation. Get letters from people who know you well and can highlight your strengths. Provide them with the scholarship information, and give them plenty of time to compose their letter.
- Be on time. Keep to your schedule so you’re not waiting until the last minute. By submitting scholarships early, you free up your time to apply for more scholarships.
- Make copies of all submissions Scholarship givers can lose all or part of your application. Your copies can be your backup. By submitting early, you can protect yourself in case your application is returned or gets lost in the mail.
- Make copies of all submissions. Scholarship givers can lose all or part of your application. Your copies can be your backup. By submitting early, you can protect yourself in case your application is returned or gets lost in the mail.