Scholarships

10 Tips for Making the Most of Your Scholarship Searches

1) The time to start researching scholarships is now! There are all kinds of resources available. Check out the internet, your local library, college, and university financial aid offices, your high school guidance office, civic organizations and the places where you or your parents are employed or do volunteer work.

2) Scholarships are available for students planning to enter college, already in college, or even in graduate school. High school students should start their scholarship search during their sophomore year.

3) Scholarships are available to students of all backgrounds, abilities, and levels. They are not limited to students with high academic averages, those entering college, or those who can demonstrate financial need.

4) Scholarship committees, admissions recruiters, and employers look favorably on students who participate in extracurricular activities or do volunteer work. Group activities promote leadership qualities, communication skills, sense of purpose, and commitment.

5) Ask for letters of recommendation well in advance, and discuss the kind of information needed in the letter. It’s important that your letters come from reliable sources, are written on company or institutional letterhead, and are not form letters. A concrete, detailed letter from someone who knows you and your work well is usually worth more than three or four letters from people who don’t know you well. Give your letter writers a “friendly reminder” once or twice before it’s due to ensure the letter is completed and sent on time.

6) Most scholarship applications require a written personal statement discussing your background, accomplishments, and goals. This statement can set you apart from other applicants. Get started composing your personal statement now.

7) Send all required attachments along with the application. Don’t expect someone else to have to match up items sent under different mailings. If a required document is not attached to your application when it goes to the selection committee, your application will be considered incomplete.

8) Even if the scholarship instructions don’t require an essay, it’s a good idea to attach a cover letter that summarizes your educational goals. The cover letter is also a good place to include any personal information that you want the scholarship selection committee to consider when evaluating your application.

9) Just before sending your application to the scholarship review committee, make copies of all parts of the application and recommendation letters. Keep these to refer to at a later date.

10) Applying for financial aid and scholarships requires you to manage deadlines effectively. Remember, it’s first-come, first-served, so apply early.

Here's how to get started

• Set up a Spreadsheet or a notebook
• As you open scholarship websites, probably on the very first page, you will see a list of criteria for eligibility
• Even if you are not yet a senior….you WILL be….so keep in mind that you may be able to apply for that scholarship!
• Set up an Excel Spreadsheet and include: WebSite, Due Date, and Status

Scholarship Resource Listing

Here are resources to help you locate scholarships. The money is out there - Happy Hunting!

1. THE WEB
   1. www.fastweb.com
   2. www.wiredscholar.com
   3. http://hispanicfund.org/scholar.html
   4. www.mcdonalds.com/countries/usa
   5. www.finaid.org
   6. http://www.eclick.com/lulfoundation/html/resources.html
   7. www.educationisfreedom.com
   8. https://www.mikeroweworks.org/scholarship/

Johnson & Wales University

1. Academic Scholarships and campus awards- administered through admissions based on application and transcript information.
2. NSO Scholarships for members of BPA, DECA, FBLA, FCCLA, FFA, HOSA, JA, SkillsUSA, Junior Achievement, and TSA
3. Scholarships for participation in various high school curricula and programs: Culinary Essentials, Lodging Management, National Academy Foundation (NAF), ProStart

Community Scholarships

Check with local businesses and civic organizations to see if they offer scholarships. Some examples are:

• Large local businesses (i.e. car dealers, realtors)
• Your grade school and middle school (PTAs)
• Churches/Temples
• Local newspapers
• Women’s Clubs
• Garden Clubs
• Rotary Clubs
• Lions Clubs
• Kiwanis
• Banks

Public Library Resources

Check in the reference section for scholarship books. If you find any books that are useful, note the names and buy them at a local bookstore. ALSO, browse through magazines and trade journals at the library. Scholarship information can be found in articles or special sections of the publication.

Associations and Industry Groups

These organizations will sometimes underwrite scholarships for students pursuing a certain area of study. Some sample organizations may include:

• American Hotel & Lodging Association Education Foundation
• NC Hospitality Education Foundation
• National Restaurant Association
• Microsoft Scholarship Program
• For accounting majors-AICPA
• American Beef Producers
• Culinary Majors

Manufacturers of items, supplies and tools used in your area of interest. For example, a uniform company may sponsor scholarships.

Local Community Resoruces

Do an internet search for: “Scholarships for Durham, NC

Alternative Funding Resources

Alternative Loans, also known as private loans, are used by students and families to bridge the gap between the cost of attendance and the financial aid awarded. Students and Families are encouraged to apply for Alternative Loans when all other payment options have been exhausted. Listed below are the names of a few Alternative Loan Lenders and their contact information. Check with your JWU Financial planner for a list of possible lenders.

Please note: All Lenders have different loan approval criteria. It is the responsibility of the student or parent borrower to follow-up with your chosen Lender and satisfy all request for documentation.

Payment Plan

Setting up a payment plan may be the most practical payment option for your financial budget. Tuition Management Services is a monthly service that collects monthly tuition payments. There is a one time enrollment fee. You will need to know the total balance owed for the year!

Tuition Management Systems

1-800-356-8329

www.afford.com/jwu

Johnson& Wales University

Student Financial & Academic Services

801 West Trade Street

Charlotte, NC 28213

980-598-1300 (SAFS) * 980-598-1350 (FAX)

Scholarship Opportunities

Start here in your search for scholarships and financial aid:

• FastWeb: Free scholarship search site for all students!
• CFNC: free scholarship search site for all students!
• Largest collection of scholarships on the web
• Find scholarships for students like you
• Search over 3.7 million scholarships
• Every College. Every Scholarship.
• Big Future Scholarship Search
• College scholarship directory
• Massive Scholarships
• Financial aid guide