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2023-2025 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE GUIDE | PAGE 1 NATIONAL CHAIR GREETINGS Welcome to the Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. (TLOD) Scholarship Resource Guide! TLOD is concerned about the welfare of our Top Teens. Top Teens, to ensure you have access to the tools and resources needed to be successful in finding money to fund your educational pursuits, we have created this resource guide just for you! Feel free to browse through the information, click the links that will help you find scholarship opportunities, and fill out those applications! College expenses have grown exponentially in the last few years. The average cost of tuition and fees for the 2023-2024 school year is $42,162 at private colleges, $23,630 for out-of-state students at public universities, and $10,662 for in-state residents at public schools (U.S. News and World Report, 2023). These amounts are for tuition and fees only and do not include room and board or other expenses, such as books and other costs. College is expensive! This guide can be an excellent resource for you now and throughout your educational career. It includes information about the benefits of scholarships, loans, and grants. It provides websites to use for finding scholarships. It contains important information on the FAFSA, among other details. Also, make sure that you apply for the TLOD Scholarships that are available for members of Top Teens of America to apply for. These applications range from $1,500 for vocational scholarships and $2,500 for academic scholarships to the grand $10,000 academic scholarship! Make sure to apply. You can access this application online on the TLOD website by going to www.tlodinc.org. Applications will open in mid-March and close by April 30. We look forward to hearing about your successes as you gain funds to pay for your college education through the resources we provide here. Again, good luck in your educational and future pursuits. We are proud of you, and we know you will do well. All the best! Annetra Piper Lady Annetra Piper, Ed. D. National Scholarship Chair Lady Annetra Piper, Ed.D. National Scholarship Chair
2023-2025 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE GUIDE | PAGE 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Contents NATIONAL CHAIR GREETINGS .......................................................................................................................... 1TABLE OF CONTENTS .......................................................................................................................................... 22023-2025 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE ................................................................................... 3PURPOSE OF THIS RESOURCE GUIDE ........................................................................................................... 4ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS ..................................................................................................................................... 4What is a Scholarship? ........................................................................................................................................ 4 Types of Scholarships .......................................................................................................................................... 5 Using Grants, Loans, and Scholarships for Success ............................................................................................. 6 Best Scholarship Websites .................................................................................................................................. 7 Scholarship Opportunities ................................................................................................................................... 8 NATIONAL TLOD SCHOLARSHIPS .................................................................................................................... 9TLOD National Scholarship Application Guidelines ............................................................................................. 9 Types of National TLOD Scholarships ................................................................................................................ 10 The Franchell Boswell Educational Foundation ................................................................................................ 11 COLLEGE APPLICATION STRATEGIES ........................................................................................................... 12When to Start Applying for Scholarships .......................................................................................................... 12 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) ............................................................................................ 13 Letters of Recommendation ............................................................................................................................. 13 TIPS AND STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS ......................................................................................................... 14Tips for Scholarship Searches ............................................................................................................................ 14 Tips on How to Win Scholarships ...................................................................................................................... 15 Strategies for Scholarship Essay Writing ........................................................................................................... 16 APPENDIX ........................................................................................................................................................... 17Appendix A: Scholarship Toolkit ........................................................................................................................ 18 Appendix B: 2023-2024 Scholarship Webinar ................................................................................................... 19
2023-2025 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE GUIDE | PAGE 3 2023-2025 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP COMMITTEE The National Scholarship Committee consists of the National Chair and Area Chairs/Co-Chairs. LADY ANNETRA PIPER National Scholarship Chair Houston Chapter scholarships@tlodinc.org 832-768-4564 The following is a list of Area Scholarship Chairs and Co-Chairs: Area Contact Email Mobile I Lady Valerie Leverett, Chair Houston Chapter vleverett@comcast.net 281-914-6077 II Lady Sylvia Anderson, Chair Southern Maryland Chapter andersonlsm@verizon.net 240-320-6725 III Lady Michele Davis, Chair Will County Black Diamond Chapter davismichele710@gmail.com 708-703-1858 IV Lady Karen Gibson, Chair Concord Chapter ksgzhope@yahoo.com 630–732–1986 V Lady Denise Black-Poon, Chair Toledo Chapter dblackpoon@yahoo.com 419-690-5362 VI Lady Willie Stribling, Chair Ladera Heights Chapter msteetlod@sbcglobal.net 661-295-2895 VI Lady Gwendolyn Jones, Co-Chair Starlight Chapter gmjones702@gmail.com 310-874-1150 The Committee is available and ready to assist our Top Teens with their next steps beyond high school. To learn more about our TLOD scholarship offerings and other general scholarship inquiries, please contact your Area Scholarship representative listed above.
2023-2025 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE GUIDE | PAGE 4 PURPOSE OF THIS RESOURCE GUIDE ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS What is a Scholarship? A scholarship is a gift of money that does not have to be repaid and is given to a student to help defray the cost of attending college. Scholarships are usually awarded outside of the college’s financial aid awarding process and require students to actively research and find them. Scholarships are typically awarded to students who meet certain requirements (academic performance, athletic skills, leadership acumen, or other factors). There are scholarships given out for almost anything you can imagine. There is even a scholarship for left-handed people! About this Guide Since scholarships are important in helping students pay for college, this National Scholarship Resource Guide (Guide) will help our Top Teens identify, apply for, and win scholarships to help fund their college education. This guide will focus on: ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS Types of Scholarships for College Using Grants, Loans, and Scholarships for Success Best Scholarship Websites Scholarship Opportunities NATIONAL TLOD SCHOLARSHIPS The TLOD Scholarship The Franchell Boswell Educational Foundation COLLEGE APPLICATION STRATEGIES When to Start Applying for Scholarships Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FASFA) Letters of Recommendation TIPS AND STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS Tips for Scholarship Searches Tips on How to Win Scholarships Strategies for Scholarship Essay Writing
2023-2025 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE GUIDE | PAGE 5 Types of Scholarships There are MANY scholarships to choose from… Academic Academic Scholarships are usually given because of a student's high grade point average (GPA), overall academic performance, and scores on standardized tests like the ACT® test and SAT. Athletic Athletic scholarships are available for all types of sports, including football, basketball, and even lacrosse, archery, swimming, and rifle teams. Many times, athletic scholarships can pay for a student’s full college costs, including tuition and room and board for multiple years. Demographic Scholarships are also available for certain demographic groups, including Black students, Hispanic students, women, and first-generation college students. Community Involvement Students with volunteer experience and community service may be eligible for scholarships based on their involvement in their local community or their dedication to issues with global reach like diversity and inclusion, economic equality, or the environment. Financial Need Need-based scholarships are designed to support students who demonstrate financial need. These scholarships use a merit-based approach and are usually awarded to students with promising academic abilities, or to students from backgrounds considered disadvantaged (e.g. students who grew up in the foster system, have high poverty, or who have experienced homelessness). Professional Interest Career-specific scholarships may be offered by companies in your field of study; for instance, scholarships for accounting students are sometimes offered by accounting firms. If you know your major, type into the search engine the field of study and scholarships to locate scholarships in your field of study. Local Scholarships Nonprofit organizations, churches, civic groups, and fraternities and sororities sometimes offer scholarships to promising students from the area, particularly if a student has been involved with the group in some way. TLOD provides scholarships for Top Teens through local chapters and on the Area and National levels Unique Scholarships There are many scholarships available that are specific and unique to individual students, such as, sewing, cooking, video gaming, artistry, even heights and weights. …and there is a scholarship available for YOU!
2023-2025 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE GUIDE | PAGE 6 Using Grants, Loans, and Scholarships for Success American families can use multiple resources to pay for their child’s college education. In addition to college scholarships, if available, funds can come from parents' savings, including popular college savings accounts like 529 plans. Funds can also come from loans to pay for college. Many times, a combination of these resources can be used to pay for college. Below is a breakdown of how each payment source can be used. • Like grants, scholarship funds do not have to be repaid; however, the full definition of a scholarship includes a couple of key features. • Funds awarded can range from under $100 to tens of thousands of dollars, enough to cover a sizeable part of tuition, fees, and room and board.SCHOLARSHIPS• Like scholarships, grants are funds that do not need to be repaid. Grants are typically offered by government entities, foundations, or businesses; they're usually awarded based on financial need. • An example of a grant is the Federal Pell Grants. Pell Grants are awarded based on the cost of the student's educational program and how much a student's family can contribute.GRANTS• Loans are funds from government organizations and private entities like banks that must be repaid along with interest. To pay for a college education, both parents and students may take out loans. • Money loaned typically must be repaid according to a set schedule, and the specific terms are established by the lender. • To be eligible for a loan, a student's parents usually need good credit scores and reliable sources of income. • For a more complete breakdown of the benefits and drawbacks of loans, FAFSA, and financial aid for college students in general, please see the information below regarding the FAFSA and financial aid. LOANS
2023-2025 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE GUIDE | PAGE 7 Best Scholarship Websites There are several websites that offer scholarship search engines and other resources to help identify scholarships for which students may qualify. The top-rated scholarship websites are listed below. Best Places to Look for College Scholarships Finding scholarships takes a lot of research and patience but the payoff can be totally worth it. Here are some places you can research scholarships: Your guidance or college counselor will have lists of many scholarships (including local scholarships). Your local library may have scholarship search resources. Ask the school you’re applying to if there are additional scholarship resources available – most schools will automatically put your name in for these scholarships when you apply for financial aid but it’s worth checking to see if there’s any other college scholarships that you’re eligible for. Access Scholarships Access Scholarships is a free online platform designed to connect students with scholarship opportunities that fit their goals and values. https://accessscholarships.com Fast Web.com A free scholarship search website. https://www.Fastweb.com Scholarships.com A free college scholarship search website. https://www.scholarships.com Scholly A mobile app that provides students access to multiple scholarships for college. https://myscholly.com The College Board In addition to offering college planning resources, the college board also offers scholarships! (select scholarships to see available opportunities). https://collegeboard.org Unigo Students with information regarding over three million scholarships, including options based on academic major, demographic status, and military service. Unigo also sponsors its own scholarships and offers a personalized scholarship matching service. https://www.unigo.com/
2023-2025 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE GUIDE | PAGE 8 Scholarship Opportunities Scholarship opportunities are available at the Chapter, Area, and National levels for eligible Top Teens of America. Be sure to apply to maximize funding to assist in covering your financial need for college. While the next section will provide Top Teens with information about our National TLOD scholarships, here are other scholarship opportunities, available to the public. AAYLC The African American Youth Leadership Conference (AAYLC) provides links to websites of multiple organizations that support providing scholarships to African American youth. www.aaylc-co.org/national-scholarships UNCF The United Negro College Fund (UNCF) provides scholarship opportunities to 37 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). www.uncf.org Dell Scholars Program The program provides scholarship opportunities for Pell eligible students. www.dellscholars.org Reagan Foundation Scholarship opportunities for outstanding leaders. www.reaganfoundation.org Thurgood Marshall College Fund Provides scholarship opportunities to 7 public Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). www.tmcf.org Ron Brown Scholar Fund Offers academic scholarships, service opportunities and leadership experiences. www.ronbrown.org Elks Foundation Provides scholarship opportunities to applicants based on scholarship, leadership, and financial need. www.elks.org/scholars Gates Millennium Scholars The Gates Millennium Scholars Program provides scholarship opportunities for outstanding minority students with significant financial need to reach their highest potential by reducing financial barriers. www.gmsp.org Coca-Cola Scholars Invests in exceptional high school students who are dedicated to leadership, service, and action that positively affects others. www.cocacolascholarsfoundation.org Jackie Robinson Scholars (JRS) Grants over $30,000 over four years to complement the financial aid students receive from their colleges or universities. In addition, Scholars are financially sponsored to attend JRF' s annual four-day "Mentoring and Leadership Conference" in New York City and other regional events throughout the year. www.jackierobinson.org
2023-2025 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE GUIDE | PAGE 9 NATIONAL TLOD SCHOLARSHIPS TLOD National Scholarship Application Guidelines QUALIFICATION/ELIGIBILITY Applicant must be a member of the Top Teens of America program for at least two (2) years and a member in good standing with his or her local chapter. Citizen of the United States of America. Graduating senior in a public, parochial, or private secondary school who plans to enroll in an institution of higher learning in the fall of the current year. HOW TO APPLY The scholarship application process is online only. All sections must be completed. All required documents must be uploaded to the application. 1. Official high school transcript showing ACT/SAT and GPA. 2. College acceptance letter 3. Essay (as outlined on application) 4. Letter of recommendation from Teacher, Counselor, or School Administrator on Official Letterhead 5. Letter of recommendation (TLOD Member/Mentor or Community/Civic/Religious Leader) TTA Advisors must complete the Advisor’s Verification Form and certify that the application is approved by the chapter president. Letter of recommendation should not be provided by the TTA Advisor. Application must be submitted by deadline date: April 30 at 11:59 p.m. PST with parent/guardian signature. Confirmation of receipt of your completed application will be sent via email. Please send questions to scholarships@tlodinc.org. If your concern is time sensitive you can contact the National Scholarship Chair, Lady Annetra Piper at 832-768-4564 (text messages preferred). The National TLOD Scholarships are available to Top Teens in the Spring of each year. Be sure to go the Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. website at www.tlodinc.org (TLOD Members Only) for details. Scholarships start at $1,500, up to $10,000. Application due dates will be distributed through the Chapter TTA Advisor.
2023-2025 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE GUIDE | PAGE 10 Types of National TLOD Scholarships There are two types of scholarships available to Top Teens: (1) Academic and (2) Technical/Vocational. NUMBER, AMOUNT AND TYPE OF SCHOLARSHIP The number of scholarships awarded will be calculated based on the total number of TTA members in each of TLOD’s six (6) geographical areas as of June 30 in the prior fiscal year as follows: Area Academic Scholarships TTA Area Membership Number of Academic Scholarships Amount (per Teen) Up to 1,000 Teens 2 $ 2,500.00 1,001 - 2,000 Teens 3 $ 2,500.00 Area Technical/Vocational Scholarships TTA Area Membership Number of Technical Scholarships Amount (per Teen) Up to 1,000 Teens 2 $ 1,500.00 1,001 - 2,000 Teens 3 $ 1,500.00 A student may apply for either an Academic Scholarship (College, University, Junior College, Community College) or a Technical/Vocational Scholarship. One application supports both scholarships. National Grand Prize Academic Scholarship Only one first place Academic Grand Winner will be selected from all Academic Applicants and one $10,000.00 scholarship will be awarded to that recipient. This scholarship is renewable, and will be paid in increments of $2,500.00 paid in the first four years of college.* *Grand prize distribution method of a renewal scholarship is new for the 2023-2024 year. The recipient is required to maintain a 2.3 GPA each academic year; support documentation (e.g., transcript, class schedule) must be submitted each year to receive funding. ANNUAL TIMELINE AND METHOD OF DISTRIBUTION Timeline Activity March 15 Application available online April 30 Application submission deadline May 31 Winners notified via email June 15 Recipient response deadline June 30 National announcement and press release August (1-31) Checks disbursed to recipients Note: All checks will be made payable directly to the winners after confirmation of enrollment (class schedule) has been provided.
2023-2025 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE GUIDE | PAGE 11 The Franchell Boswell Educational Foundation The members of Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc. established the Franchell Boswell Educational Foundation in 1989 to serve and strengthen the African American community. The Foundation has focused its efforts on providing higher education opportunities and leadership development for young people. Note: The scholarship opportunities listed below are not exclusive to Top Teens of America – they are open to all eligible Teens as TTA membership is not required to apply. THE BOSWELL ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIP is a scholarship awarded to a graduating high school senior who will enroll for the first time in a four-year U.S. located accredited College or University. Scholarship awards are based on three (3) criteria: 1. Academic Achievement 2. Leadership 3. Community Service Payment of scholarship awards shall be made payable to the recipient and the institution where the recipient has provided proof of enrollment. The scholarship funds may be used for tuition, books, supplies and other fees. The recipient must be a full-time student. THE FAYE B. BRYANT SCHOLARSHIP will be awarded to a graduating high school senior who will enroll for the first time in a four-year U.S. located accredited historically black college or university (HBCU) and major in education. The same criteria for the Boswell Academic Scholarship also apply. Foundation scholarship funds may be used for tuition, books, supplies and other fees. The recipient must be a full-time student. The application deadline is March 31 of each year. For more information, including or to apply for the scholarship, go to https://franchellboswell.org/scholarship.
2023-2025 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE GUIDE | PAGE 12 COLLEGE APPLICATION STRATEGIES When to Start Applying for Scholarships The first few months of your senior year is a good time to start the application process, but you don’t have to wait until your senior year to start searching and applying for scholarships. GATHER YOUR DOCUMENTS Before you begin applying for scholarships, writing essays, and preparing interview responses, make sure you have the following documents: Copies of your FAFSA application Copies of your transcripts Copies of your standardized test scores Records of extracurricular activities Records of your community service TARGET SCHOLARSHIPS Because there are so many scholarships available, you will have to prioritize your search. When looking, keep in mind the following: Deadline. The deadline is always the first thing to check, because you need time to write a good essay and request letters of recommendation. It is standard practice to give those who are writing letters of recommendation at least two weeks’ notice, and they may want to see your essay in advance. Another tip is to submit your application a couple of days early. Eligibility. Always make sure that you are eligible for all scholarships you apply for. Award Value. Applying for awards that have higher dollar amounts is always a good plan. However, you should also apply for lower dollar amount scholarships. Small dollar amount scholarships can fill gaps in funding. Next Year. Applying for scholarships is not just for your senior year of high school. There are scholarships for students at all levels of post-secondary education, and many college students win scholarships during and after their time in college. Keep your list of scholarships, and apply again next year. Scholarship applications should be an ongoing process throughout your college education.
2023-2025 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE GUIDE | PAGE 13 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Letters of Recommendation Recommendations share key insights about an applicant. No letter is the same. Take your time. Be thoughtful when it comes to recommendation letters. Ask the right people. Those who write your letters of recommendation should know you well and speak highly of you, as well as people the scholarship committee will respect, like teachers and coaches. Provide information about you to your letter writers. Although they may know you well, providing information to them about you will make it easier for them to write the letter. Ask the right way. (politely) and give them time to write the letter, at least two (2) weeks in advance. Complete the FAFSA in Five Steps STEP 1: Make a list of schools - Make a list of colleges that you are considering applying to. STEP 2: Gather Documentation - You'll need the following information to complete your application: Social Security number (parents and students) Federal income tax returns, W-2s. The IRS data retrieval tool can also be used. Records of other income and investments STEP 3: Create a Federal Student Aid ID - Both parents and students need to create one. STEP 4: Start FAFSA for desired year. For the current year, use the previous year’s tax information. Be sure to follow the instructions carefully. STEP 5: Submit! FREE APPLICATION FOR STUDENT AID! FAFSA OPENS OCTOBER 1ST EVERY YEAR
2023-2025 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE GUIDE | PAGE 14 TIPS AND STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS Tips for Scholarship Searches 1. Be careful of scholarship scams. No real scholarship will ask you to pay any money to receive the scholarship. If someone calls or emails you offering a scholarship, be very careful. Real scholarships are awarded after an application process and are not just given out over the phone. 2. Keep track of deadlines. Make sure to enter dates into your calendar and give yourself enough time to write essays and complete the application. 3. Make sure you’re eligible. A lot of scholarships have very specific criteria for who’s eligible to apply, so double check before you spend time on an application. 4. Don’t fall into the raffle trap. Don’t just enter every email-based scholarship that comes. Find a few that you are uniquely eligible for and spend the time to complete a high-quality application. 5. Ask for help. There are scholarships for everyone, so ask your coach or your college/guidance counselor if you’re not finding any scholarships you feel you are eligible for. 6. Note the scholarship application deadline. It helps to start your search and applications early, but don’t worry if you missed out on some of the earliest scholarship deadlines – there are lots of scholarships, all with different deadlines. There are also many scholarships available to college students so be sure to apply for scholarships every year you’re in college too. Let’s Get Ready.org, 2023 Institutional Scholarships: Most higher education institutions offer scholarships and grants to incoming freshman. Be sure to review the financial aid website of the college or university you are applying to for information about offerings. Pay close attention to the requirements and priority deadlines to be considered for the maximum amount of funding.
2023-2025 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE GUIDE | PAGE 15 Tips on How to Win Scholarships 1. Create a resume listing your accomplishments. This summarizes the student’s awards, interests, activities, and accomplishments. It can help the student write a better application and teachers write better letters of recommendation. 2. Apply to as many scholarships as possible. Winning a scholarship depends as much on chance as on skill. Increase your chances of winning by applying for as many as possible. (But don’t apply if you aren’t eligible.) Smaller scholarships and essay contests are easier to win because they are less popular. Reuse essays to save time. 3. Don’t miss deadlines. Again, don’t miss deadlines. Some scholarships have deadlines in the fall and some have deadlines in the spring, so start searching for scholarships ASAP. Some scholarships require the applicant to already be enrolled in college. 4. Find local scholarships on bulletin boards. Look near the high school guidance counselor’s office, outside the college financial aid office, and campus academic departments and in the local public library. 5. Tap into family connections. Students should also check with their parents’ employers, clubs, unions, churches, fraternal, and alumni organizations. 6. Maintain a professional online presence. Some scholarship providers now require finalists to friend them on Facebook. 7. Use a professional email address. First impressions are lasting ones. 8. Look for scholarship listing books. Amazon.com is a good source. They can be found in the jobs and careers section of the library. When using scholarship listing books, check the copyright date. If it is more than a year or two old, it is going to have too much old information.
2023-2025 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE GUIDE | PAGE 16 Strategies for Scholarship Essay Writing Stay on topic. Most essays are to be written on a specific topic chosen by the organization offering the scholarship, so it's important that you address that question or topic as clearly as you can. Structure your essay. Along with an essay that's on topic, reviewers will want to read a response that flows logically, which means you will need to think carefully about organizing your points. The process of writing a winning scholarship application essay will probably feel like the steps you used in English classes. Creating an outline before you draft an essay. Jot down your main points and any specific pieces of information you want to include. Make sure they flow well before you start typing. Keep your writing efficient. Since you're trying to impress reviewers, it can be tempting to craft an essay that's full of lengthy sentences infused with eloquent language. Don't do that. One hallmark of good writing is efficiency, so use wording that's clear and concise to express your thoughts. This approach will help your writing come off as genuine. Be authentic. Your experiences and your achievements are valuable no matter who you are, so work with what you have. Use specific, real examples of how an extracurricular activity, life event, hardship, or service impacted you and changed your thinking. Leave time for revisions. Make sure you give yourself ample time to review your essay and make changes before you attach it to your scholarship application. Watch out for spelling errors and typos, which can hurt your credibility with readers. After you have revised your essay, ask someone reputable to go over your essay. Teachers, school counselors, and tutors are the best people to ask for help proofreading your essay. Study.com (2023) REFERENCES Federal Student Aid. Apply for Financial Aid. Retrieved from https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid. Durham, L. 2003 – 2023. Study.com. ACT Comprehensive Scholarship Guide. Retrieved from https://study.com/resources/college-scholarships-guide#:~:text=This%20guide%20is%20designed%20to,help%20fund%20their%20college%20educations.&text=It's%20no%20secret%20that%20college,help%20funding%20their%20degree%20programs. Let’s Get Ready Organization, 2023. Retrieved from https://www.letsgetready.org/
2023-2025 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE GUIDE | PAGE 17 APPENDIX
2023-2025 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE GUIDE | PAGE 18 Appendix A: Scholarship Toolkit List of Common/Standard Application Questions What do you want to do after you graduate from college? Why did you select this career? How will you change the field/industry? Where do you see yourself 10 years from now? What’s the most difficult challenge you’ve ever faced? How did you handle it? Why do you need this scholarship? How do you define success? What traits do you possess that will enhance your education or future career? How has technology impacted student learning? If you could design a college curriculum, what would it be? Why do you want to go to college? What do you expect to gain from earning a college degree? What are your educational goals? How will you make a difference in our world? What does leadership mean to you? List of Common/Standards Statements Used for Applications Please write a short autobiography including information about your family, work experience, community involvement, hobbies, spare time activities, and what you hope to do in the future. Please include a short summary or personal statement describing your accomplishments and goals. List any honors and awards you’ve received. List your extra-curricular activities. Write a short essay that describes areas in your life where you demonstrated leadership and overcame obstacles either through your school, social, or family life. Describe a time in your life that has shaped who you are as a person. Explain a family, social or school situation, in which your leadership made the difference. What was accomplished? Source: Scholarship Informer, 2024 Sample Recommendation Letters/Templates https://www.weareteachers.com/sample-recommendation-letter-scholarship-applications/ https://www.goingmerry.com/blog/letter-of-recommendation-for-scholarship/ Information about the student to the writer so they know more about you: https://www.commonapp.org/static/71f67faedd72b3cdaf1c28ed85d621cf/FYBragSheetStudentsTeachersCAReady.pdf
2023-2025 NATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCE GUIDE | PAGE 19 Appendix B: 2023-2024 Scholarship Webinar A public scholarship webinar was held twice in November 2023 and again in January 2024. Co-sponsored by the Scholarship and TLOD Literacy Committees, this special session went “beyond scholarships” with experts who shared information on: Financial Aid – The FAFSA College Admissions/Application Process Scholarships (How to Get Them) Effective Essay Writing TLOD Scholarship Opportunities A live Facebook broadcast can be viewed on the National TLOD site at: https://www.facebook.com/TLODInc/. You may also use this link to review previous scholarship webinar for more information on applying for scholarships click this link: TLOD Scholarship Webinar. All are encouraged to view the webinar on demand! For presenter information or to schedule a private session with one of our webinar experts, email scholarships@tlodinc.org.