Transfer school priority deadlines are rapidly approaching as are scholarship deadlines. In this meeting, help your mentee navigate the application process for their school of choice as well as where to find their school's scholarship portal and application. For students not transferring yet, make sure they're aware of the Big Bend Foundation's scholarship application as well as other local scholarships they may qualify for.
If your mentee has been following the scheduled topics to this point, they should already have an idea of which school they are looking to transfer to. If they don't know where they want to go yet, go ahead and use your own school as the example. Walk your mentee through the process of applying for the school as a transfer student. They don't need to actually apply right now, but this will be a great opportunity to walk them through the process and figure out everything they will need to complete their transfer application. TRIO has forms available for students to waive their transfer application fee, so make sure your mentee reaches out to their advisor to get this form. Keep in mind the priority deadlines for transfer applications for each school and make sure your mentee knows theirs so they can get their application in on time.
Scholarships are financial aid awards designed to help students pay for college (undergraduate or graduate degrees). Sometimes a scholarship is a one-time check. Other school scholarships are renewable and provide money for students each semester or school year.
These financial awards don’t have to be repaid. In addition, how a scholarship is received differs. Students might receive the money directly as a check in their name or the money is given to the student’s school. If there is funding still remaining after all college costs are awarded, the excess money is refunded to the student.
All scholarships are unique, but the majority of them require the following information.
Application
Essay
Letters of recommendation
Transcripts (high school, college(s) attended)
Create a cheat sheet:
Scholarship deadlines
Materials needed (Ex/ essay, resume, letters of recommendation)
Scholarships you have already applied to
Utilize TRIO SSS scholarship resources
Plan far in advance
Know your audience
Follow instructions and answer prompt
Other (if applicable): Choose topic you're interested in and passionate about; consider reusing an existing essay
Create a strong introduction
Keep a good structure
Show emotions
Use real life examples (show, don't tell)
Keep tone inspirational & positive
Stay away from dreary/boring conclusions
Proofread and ask for help
Take advantages of resources
BBCC foundation scholarship (funding for next academic year; 2023-2024) - due February 27, 2023.
Paul Lauzier - due March 1, 2023
Transfer school scholarships:
WSU - due January 31, 2023
EWU - due February 1, 2023
CWU - due February 1, 2023
UW - due April 30, 2023
Scholarships on iGrad and Pathful explore (have the mentee login and show you what these look like! If they need help, please let their TRIO advisor know.
iGrad is a financial wellness platform that all TRIO SSS students get access to once admitted. There are many financial topics and tools mentees can get access to on this platform. One of the tools is the scholarship search tool. With this platform they can view vetted scholarships and apply to as many as they are eligible for!
As a STEM Peer Mentor we think it's important that you have access to the platform so you can navigate it before meeting with your mentee(s) and encourage them to use it. Your iGrad information was emailed to you. The link to this platform can always be found on the TRIO SSS scholar resources page.
Pathful explore is a career exploration platform that all TRIO SSS students get access to once admitted. There are many careers mentees can review, assessments they can take, and more on the platform. One of the tools is the scholarship search tool. With this platform they can view vetted scholarships and apply to as many as they are eligible for!
As a STEM Peer Mentor we think it's important that you have access to the platform so you can navigate it before meeting with your mentee(s) and encourage them to use it. Your Pathful explore information was emailed to you. The link to this platform can always be found on the TRIO SSS scholar resources page.
Tell us about yourself
How will this scholarship make a difference for you?
Can you tell us about a time you failed? What did you learn from that experience?
Tell us about a contribution you've made to your community.
What are your academic (or professional) goals
Tell us about a time where you stepped up as a leader
Who has been your biggest influence (or inspiration?)
Why do you want to go to college?
How are you planning on financing your college education?
Why do you deserve this scholarship?
Guiding Discussion Questions and Tasks:
What is something your mentee might not think about the transfer application process, or what is something you wish you would have known when applying?
Have you ever applied to a scholarship? Yes/No. If you have, were you awarded the scholarship? If yes, why do you think you were awarded? If no, why you do think you were not awarded?
Any other scholarship tips you may have?
What scholarship(s) do you recommend your mentee to apply to?