DON’T EMPTY YOUR PIGGY!

Scholarship 102

Office of Financial Aid

Barge Hall 115509-963-1611

FINAID@CWU.EDU www.cwu.edu/scholarships

CWU Self-Help Office of Financial Aid

Overview

Searching for scholarshipsBoosting your scholarship résumé Scholarships & Financial Aid

CWU General Scholarship Application

Scholarship Hunting

Scholarship Hunting is a skill set that will come in handy after graduation:

Meet an application deadline Follow application instructions closely

Identify your strengths and express them to others

Prepare materials for others’ review Compete against other qualified candidates Learn to persevere through disappointment

Scholarship Searches

Our best friend – the internetCommunity-based scholarshipsNetworking in your academic department

Internet

Remember the benefits:LOTS of info – find your nicheUp-to-date informationSearch anytime, anywhere

Internet

Remember the pitfalls:Spam/Ads – *start a separate email

addressBeware of scamsLarger applicant poolsLOTS of info – don’t get overwhelmed NEVER pay money to submit an application

Internet

Search enginesMatching services

Websites of businesses/organizationswww.theWashBoard.org

www.cwu.edu/scholarships www.scholarshipjunkies.com

-Outside and Institutional

Community Based Scholarships

Remember the benefits:Smaller applicant poolsUsually leadership/service-based (boost that

résumé!)Donors are flexible with use of scholarships

Community Based Scholarships

Remember the pitfalls:Smaller dollar amounts

BUT every little bit adds up! Usually leadership/service-based (time-

consuming for already-busy students)Not widely advertised

Takes your initiative to go out and find them!

Community Based Scholarships

Service organizations: Lions Club, Kiwanis, Rotary

Parents’ employer or other affiliationLocal political groupsDollars for ScholarsCommunity Education FoundationsReligious affiliations Hobby clubs—garden clubs, rodeo clubs, etc.Ask a high school counselor!

AVAILABLE FROM OCTOBER 1ST TO MARCH 1ST

EACH YEAR

Central Washington University’s General Scholarship Application

(GSA)

CWU General Scholarship Application

Open October 1st to March 1st every yearONE application through your MyCWU

Account= Dozens of possible awards! CWU Foundation raises funds for the GSA

CWU Alumni Community Members Local & State Businesses

CWU General Scholarship Application

Visit www.cwu.edu/scholarships Click “General Scholarship Application” on the

left side of the page to view ALL the scholarships that are connected to the GSA Published on the website year round, so you can get a

good idea of which awards you will want to apply to between October 1st and March 1st.

Get letters of recommendation, essays, and resumes ready early!

CWU Scholarship Website

Visit the “Outside Scholarships” link Updated regularly with outside donor scholarships Browse a variety of scholarships with a wide range of

requirements and deadlines Visit “CWU Scholarships” link

Any CWU scholarships that are not a part of the GSA can be found here

Departmental awards

www.cwu.edu/scholarships

GET PREPARED FOR YOUR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

Scholarship Applications: Boost your Resume

Boosting Your Scholarship Résumé

Volunteer ExperienceLeadership ExperienceJob ExperienceStudy Abroad/Cross-Cultural ExperienceSelf-Initiated ActivitiesActivities Related to Your Field of StudyThink UNIQUE!

Volunteer Experience

You can walk into almost ANY non-profit organization and say “I want to volunteer!” Planned Parenthood FISH Food Bank

Pick something that lines up with your major or your passions Volunteer at local schools (Education Majors)

Visit the Center for Leadership and Community Engagement SURC 256 (Ellensburg Campus) Phone: 509-963-1850

Leadership Experience

Think formal and informal leadership experiences Sports/clubs/camps Class projects

Get involved with Residence Life if you live on campus Dorm RA’s

Don’t overlook your employment experience for instances of leadership Work project, management position, etc.

Study Abroad/Cross Cultural Experiences

Visit the Study Abroad and Exchange Office International Center (across from L&L Building) Phone: 509-963-3612

Many affordable programsSummer programsGo somewhere unique!AUAP—Asia University America Program—

become a Campus FriendVolunteer at World Languages Day on campus

Self-Initiated Activities

Think about your community and what it needs Garbage-pick-up Day Tree-planting Day

Start a book clubHold a themed swap meet

Ski/snowboarding (winter gear) Camping/hiking (summer gear)

Build something Local park big toy/play area

Experience related to your major

Go to your major/minor department Ask professors/advisors for ideas

Go to the Career Center and ask about internships Both local and nonlocal opportunities Phone: 509-963-1921

SO, YOU JUST WON A SCHOLARSHIP…NOW

WHAT?

Scholarships and Your Financial Aid Package

• BE SURE T O L ET C WU K NOW A S SOON A S P OSS I BL E OF A NY SC HOL A RSH I P S YOU WI L L BE REC E I V I NG FROM “OUTS I DE” SOURC ES

• WE NEED TO K NOW T HE A MOUNT OF THE SC HOL A RSH I P A ND WHO I T I S FROM I N ORDER

T O BU I L D I T I NT O YOUR F I NA NC I A L A I D PA C K A GE

• P L EA SE EMA I L / FA X / MA I L A C OP Y OF YOUR AWA RD L ET TER T O:

C WU F I NA NC I A L A I D SC HOL A RSH I P S 400 EA ST UN I V ERS I T Y WAY

EL L ENSBURG, WA 98926 - 7495OR

F I N A I D @ C W U . E D U FA X : 509 - 963 - 1788

Congratulations on your scholarship(s)!

What we’ve learned today

Hunting for scholarships will take you down many avenues

The “new landscape” of scholarships—think outside the box!

There’s lots you can do to make yourself an attractive scholarship candidate

Earning scholarships will most likely affect your financial aid package

Remember to visit the CWU Scholarship Website for up-to-date scholarship information

Got a Question?

You can email any and all questions to the Scholarship email FINAID@CWU.EDU or please call the Scholarship Office at 509-963-1611

REMINDERS:CWU GENERAL

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION CLOSES ON MARCH 1ST!

DON’T MISS OUT ON GREAT SCHOLARSHIP

OPPORTUNITIES! APPLY!

Happy Scholarship Hunting!