Developing a Scholarship Folder


I.   General Guidelines

A.      It is important to allow yourself at least three to four weeks to develop your scholarship folder.  Don’t throw your scholarship folder together in three or four days--- you will forget something.

B.       The presentation of your scholarship folder is important. It should be neat, well organized, and word and/or term should be spelled correctly (i.e. use a computer spell check).

C.       The beginning of each new section of your scholarship folder should be marked with a page tab (i.e. student information, personal history, academic information, activities and awards, recommendations, financial information, etc.).

D.      Be sure to review the selection criteria for the scholarship and make sure that you address each item.

E. Given that you will probably apply for more than one scholarship, individuals should store their general scholarship information on a computer disk.

*Your scholarship folders should contain the following items (some scholarship applications will require more).

F.       Title Page

Include your name, major and class status (i.e., Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior, or Graduate).

G.       Personal History

This section needs to be one to two pages long and double-spaced. Include information about you---your family status (i.e., married with children, single parent, single living at home with parents, etc.). Your current educational goals, career goals, school and work activities that you are involved in which will help you accomplish these goals and past accomplishments. Also, include activities that have provided personal insight and growth. Last, but not least, you should speak to how you plan to finance your college education (i.e., part-time work, scholarships, and/or student financial aid).

II.   Academic Information

Include a copy of your official transcript(s).

III.     Activities and Awards

 This section should be used to document all awards and letters of recognition (i.e., scholarships, academic deans list, school/community activities, work experiences, and awards).

IV.    Letters of Recommendation

Most scholarship applications require at least three letters of recommendation. You should list the names, positions and phone numbers of the people who have written you a letter.

V.    Financial Information

Identify/list any financial resources that you expect to be able to use to finance your college education (i.e., summer savings, part-time work, scholarship monies). Do not include any dollars you expect to borrow form the Alaska State Student Loan Program.

VI.   Appreciation Statement

This may be a short statement expressing your appreciation to the scholarship committee for taking out time to review your folder.

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