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Version 3d

Home > Schedule > Writing for Money--Scholarship Writing

Writing for Money--Scholarship Writing (New)

C. Porscha dela Fuente will go beyond Imiloa/MyPlan by taking students through the process of writing their essays for scholarships. Presentation - Workshop Schedule Location:Lama 118 (Behind Library) Tuesday, March 12  10:45am - 11:45am How to Write a Personal Statement Introductions What Will I Cover? The Scholarship Process—Types & Overview What is a Personal Statement? Determining Purpose & Audience 3 Questions to Consider Key Elements of the Writing Style Have a Plan You Try—Workshop Time! The Scholarship Process—Types & Overview Types of Scholarships Categories Internal (with Kapi’olani CC) Local (Alu Like, Kamehameha Trust, Hawaii Community Foundation) National Components Merit—Academic, grades Financial Need—FAFSA Qualifier—major, ethnicity, high schoolThe Scholarship Process The Scholarship Process Scholarships are the ideal “gifts”  in paying for college since they  never have to be repaid. Some are for 2 or 4 years of college while others are short-term (by semester). Others are just for supplies like books or media/technology. Since scholarships are gifts they have requirements, no free lunch. They also have a review committee to select the best candidate. Review Process Submitt all of your paperwork - Including application, letters of recommendation, FAFSA, Personal Statement, and transcripts all postmarked by due date. 1st Phase - Screening Committee checks to make sure paperwork is in order: Signatures Complete App. (filled out, components) Writing meets the criteria required 2nd Phase - Elimination Committee reads through paperwork to ensure candidateis a good match. Personal Statement becomes the marker of the individual. It is the one element of the application you have creative control over. THUS, the Personal Statement is an important deciding factor in this process. What is a Personal Statement? A Picture…of yourself as a person, student, and potential scholarship recipient. Who are you? What do you want to be? What kind of contribution can you make and how? An Invitation… to get to know you. A bridge between the committee and you. Goal is to make the readers feel welcome. What are important moments in your life? What is your personal background? Why are you the best candidate? An Indicator…of your priorities and judgments. What are your motivations? What is your education and career goals? What you say and how you say it is crucial. A Story… more precisely, your story. A place to tell your story descriptively, authentically and precisely. A Personal Statement is NOT An academic paper A resume in narrative form A journal entry A plea or justification To avoid these pitfalls, you need to understand: 1) PURPOSE 2) AUDIENCE of the scholarship you are applying for. Determining Purpose & Audience Purpose = determine the mode of writing What is the prompt asking you to do? Describe (#1) Share Propose Inform Persuade Audience = determine the recipient of the writing Who will be reading your response? What are their values? What do they need to know? What are their expectations? 3 Questions to Consider WHO? family, background, motivations, experiences WHERE ARE YOU GOING? education & career goals, reasons for attending college, plans for after college, career choice WHAT ARE YOU INVOLVED IN? academic achievements, sports, clubs & organizations, employment, volunteer work, personal interest Key Elements of the Writing Style Types of Personal Statements: 1) Open-ended, conventional statement No formal prompt, looking for creative approach 2) Specific question/prompt Scholarship or organization will devise a question for you to answer. Things to Do/Consider Narrow focus to one or two key themes, ideas or experiences Hook the reader with an intriguing, personal introduction Share with the reader something that no other applicant will be able to say Acceptable to use “I” in your writing Meets the guidelines—length & topic Be yourself, not the “ideal” applicant Focus on the affirmative Use readable fonts, typeface, and conventional spacing and margins, clean copies Visit the scholarship’s website for mission statement Things NOT to do Be careful with humor Avoid cliché sayings, repetition/wordiness Do not present questions you don’t answer Do not complain or whine about the "system" or circumstances in your life Do not preach to your reader. You can express opinions, but do not come across as fanatical or extreme Do not talk about money as a motivator Do not submit supplemental materials unless they are requestedOrganization Strategies Organization Strategies Personal Statements are not organized around a set model/style. This can be liberating OR maddening. Therefore follow any of these organizing strategies: Past--Present--Future Short term, Long term goals Tell a story that provides evidence Share ideas around your personal, academic and career goals Getting Started…Are You Ready? List all of your qualifiers: age, ethnicity, major, high school, community service Visit KISC Financial Aid Office to find out about internal scholarships you are eligible for Start shopping: seek out scholarships you match with Chart requirements & due dates for scholarships Develop Yourself (Personal Marketing) Improve grades Join clubs/organizations, volunteer Make connections --> school, work, community Have a Plan Read up on your scholarship, what is it asking for? What do you need to provide? Unsure about requirements, call/email & ask Start planning & drafting your personal statement/essay as soon as possible Chart due dates, materials required Commit to a calendar or planner system to stay on track If you need a letter of recommendation, consider who knows you & your work best. Give time & notice to faculty/boss/coordinator Provide them with your personal statement & scholarship requirements Get feedback on your personal statement draft, feedback, revise, draft, edit, copy (back-up) Visit a tutor, ask an instructor for feedback, talk about it with a friend. Let's Get Started! Visit your scholarship’s requirements for the Personal Statement: You Try! Use your scholarship prompt or select a prompt & write for about 10 minutes (brainstorm): What ideas, books, theories or movements have made a profound impact on you? Under what conditions do you do your best, most creative work? What errors or regrets have taught you something important about yourself? What experience had a profound effect on your life or worldview? Good Luck! Success is the progressive, timely achievement of your stated goals. ~Charles J. Givens Question and Answers Resources: Hawaii Community Foundation - Every funding decision made at the Hawaii Community Foundation benefits from the collective wisdom of people and organizations wanting to help Hawaii. At HCF, we keep our heads and our hearts on the pulse of the community—applying solid analytics to philanthropic passion to help our island home in meaningful and measurable ways. My UH Portal - STAR - Scholarship Tab - Community College Students click on the Community College Common Scholarship Application. National Science Foundation - The National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense…" Email: