2.3
SCHOLARSHIPS & GRANTS

Topic 2.3 Lesson Plan

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DISCUSSION PROMPT:
What's up with scholarships & grants?

Discuss these questions with your classmates or with a partner
1. What are some reasons you might receive a scholarship or grant for college?

2. In your own words, what is the difference between a loan and a grant/scholarship?

1 5 mins

In this activity, students will be able to:

Understand the basics of scholarships & grants

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REFERENCE POINT:
Order of Finacial Aid?

You’ve submitted your FAFSA, received your SAR, and are now waiting to hear back about what types of aid you may receive. In this lesson, we will focus specifically on scholarships and grants. Take a moment to review this slide & answer this question:
1. Scholarships & grants are also known as “gift aid”. Why do you think these types of aid are referred to this way?

Presentation: Review the Financial Aid Process

2 8 mins

In this activity, students will be able to:

Understand the order you want to apply for & accept aid in

Click on icon for article

ARTICLE:
Grants vs. Loans vs. Scholarships

Differentiating between grants, scholarships, and loans can sometimes be confusing! Read this chart detailing the differences between these three types of aid. Then, rank them from most desirable to least desirable, & write three sentences that explain the order you chose.

Presentation: Grants, Scholarships, & Loans (after article)

3 15 mins

In this activity, students will be able to:

Understand the difference between scholarships & grants

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PERSONAL STORY:
Student Stories
Grants & scholarships are incredibly powerful tools that have helped millions of students graduate college.

Watch these three students describe the impact grants and scholarships have had on them. After watching the videos, answer these questions:
1. Describe why grants and scholarships were so valuable for these women.
2. What advice did they offer about how to secure grants and scholarships?
3. Consider the three women you heard from. What were some similarities between the way the three women tackled paying for college? Describe what allowed them to be successful in your answer

4 10 mins

In this activity, students will be able to:

Understand why scholarships & grants are important when financing a college education

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VIDEO:
Searching for Scholarships
Starting your scholarship search can be a daunting task because there are so many scholarships out there! So, where should you start? Watch this video to learn some helpful tips and then answer the questions.

What strategies did the college graduate use that you can use during your search?
What tips do the Directors of College Counseling provide to help you successfully find scholarships?
What would you tell a friend who tells you, “I’m just not that interested in applying for scholarships. It sounds like so much work and I probably don’t have a good chance of getting the scholarship anyway!”
True or False: You can get college scholarships only during your senior year of high school.

5 5 mins

In this activity, students will be able to:

Understand how to find scholarships that students are eligible for

Click on icon for article

ARTICLE:
7 Common Types of Scholarships
When starting your scholarship search, it is important to remember that there are a variety of categories of scholarships. Skim this article to learn about 7 common types of scholarships. Then, write the categories that you think you will search for scholarships. Include a brief sentence for each category explaining why you chose that scholarship category.

Presentation: The 7 Common Scholarships

6 10 mins

In this activity, students will be able to:

Know common types of scholarships

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** Note:
To get the most updated maximum offer amount for the Federal Pell Grant, refer to this resource.

ARTICLE:
The 3 Types of college grants (& how to win them)
While there are hundreds of types of scholarships available, grants tend to fall into one of three specific categories. Read this article about the three types & answer the following questions.
1. How do grants differ from scholarships?

2. In a few words, explain who offers each type of grant AND any forms (if applicable) you need to submit to get that type of grant:

a. Federal grants

b. College grants

c. Private grants

7 10 mins

In this activity, students will be able to:

Understand how to find grants that students are eligible for

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RESEARCH:
Finding Scholarships & Grants
In this research activity, you’ll practice the skills of identifying where you should be looking for scholarships, finding real scholarship opportunities, & completing an application.

Student Tip:
You can use this (PDF) for Part II of the research assignment to avoid scams & paying for free services when you’re searching for scholarships, filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form, & sharing your personal information. This is a from the Federal Student Aid Office.

8 60 mins

In this activity, students will be able to:

Find scholarships & grants to help finance their cost of college

List of Scholarships & Grants
You can refer to this list of resources to get started on your search for different scholarships and grants that you would be eligible for. Remember, this is not a complete list. Consider asking family, friends, teachers, & professionals and conducting your own research to find more opportunities for scholarships and grants.