but you need to get started with scholarship organization in the summer. I know, I know, it isn't exactly fun stuff to do anything related to school when it's 90 degrees outside and the pool is calling. But honestly, you aren't going to want to do it later, so you may as well start now.
Step 1: The Framework
Materials
You will need to have some necessary materials to complete and mail scholarship applications. I'd suggest buying a lot of large manila envelopes, stamps, and some nice writing pens, as well as a binder, folder, and planner (more on that later). If you live in VA, go on the tax-free school supply weekend, August 6-8, 2010. Also, you might consider buying a pack of printer paper if you're going to be printing the applications at home. You will also need transcripts for your applications and your SAT scores. At my high school, the transcript included all classes, AP exam scores, and all SAT/ACT scores. Check with your guidance office as to what is in the envelope (because it should be sealed so you can't get into it). If you are homeschooled, you will need to make a transcript or have one made (and have someone in authority sign it) and have copies of your standardized test scores to include. You may also want to put it in an envelope with a sticker across the seal to show that it has not been tampered.
You may also need some personal information for applications. Many of them ask for your Social Security Number, your parents' last complete income tax returns, and your SAR (Student Aid Report), available on the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) website. I also had a scholarship ask for my birth certificate and driver's license (to verify citizenship and state residency), but most don't need that.
Some of this, especially your SSN, is sensitive private information, so you need to decide if you feel comfortable sharing it with the organization. Not all ask for it, but many do, and some make it optional. If you don't want to share it, just realize that it may jeopardize your chances of getting a scholarship. I'd suggest asking someone who has been around scholarships (guidance counselor, etc) if it is a reputable organization.
About the FAFSA
(HINT: as soon as possible after January 1, fill out your FAFSA! This is very very very very VERY important, not only for scholarships from schools, but also for mailing your SAR to scholarships). You will probably need a parent to fill out the FAFSA, and he/she will need to devote some time to it. He/she will need income tax information to fill it out. Unless you are living off of your own earnings as an independent emancipated child, whoever pays the bills in your house needs to fill this out. If you aren't sure, ask your parent(s)/guardian(s). Check in your area if there is a workshop on filling out the FAFSA.
You'll need to apply for a PIN (and your parent will, too). You can start applying for PINs in the fall, so check the FAFSA website (www.fafsa.gov) for info on that.
Ok, personal story #1: I applied for a scholarship that asked for my SAR from the FAFSA. I had no idea what that was or where to find it. I looked on the FAFSA website and couldn't figure it out, so I just mailed something I thought was the SAR. Alas, it wasn't, and I missed out on a scholarship that several of my classmates were awarded.
So...here's how to find the SAR.
1) Go to fafsa.gov
2) Get a PIN
3) Ask your parent(s)/guardian(s) to fill out and submit your FAFSA form (after January 1 of the year you are entering college).
4) After your FAFSA is approved, you'll get a SAR. It will tell whoever looks at it how much money FAFSA thinks you are able to pay for college and how much you need in aid.
5) If your FAFSA was filled out with estimates from the year before, your parent(s)/guardian(s) will need to make corrections after your official tax returns come in.
Ok, now to actually get the SAR:
6) Go to fafsa.gov and click on "Open your saved FAFSA or correction application).
7) Select the most recent one you filled out from the drop-down menu.
8) Input the necessary information.
9) Click the most recent transaction.
10) Ok, here's why I didn't know where it was. Go to the light blue bar down the left side of the screen and click on where it says "Print Summary." This is your SAR. Then you'll get printing options. It's kind of long, but you need to submit the whole thing.
Always make sure you log out securely. There is a lot of personal information on the FAFSA website, and you want to make sure it is kept safe.
Organization
A planner or calendar with room to write may work for you, or you may want to stay organized with a computer calendar (I made one, but a free one like Google Calendar might also work for you). Really, organization is key to getting scholarships together (especially for the weeks in the spring when there are five due at once!), but you really have to figure out what works for you. For me, it was a Microsoft Word document that I made into a calendar. I organized it like this:
August
1 - application available on www.[insert application website here].com
7 - application [insert name here] must be postmarked by this date SUBMITTED
September
10 - Notification if winner of [insert name here] scholarship
etc...
I am a Type-A, list person, so for me, this calendar was perfect. I could add in and delete information at any time: things I needed to do, items I needed to gather to include in the application, etc. I also found it helpful to highlight items by category. For example, I highlighted the items that would be due soon in yellow, things I needed to get/do (essays, transcripts) in green, dates when I would potentially get a winning notification in purple, and scholarships that I needed to download information from the website in blue. Yeah, it seems complicated, but it worked for me. Make a key if you need to!
At the bottom of my calendar, I kept a running list of scholarships I had turned in, and next to scholarships I'd submitted, I typed a great big red SUBMITTED. Hey, I was excited! :)
As part of your organization, I'd suggest you keep all of your paperwork. Keep copies of submitted applications, info sheets with contact information, award and rejection letters, and any other pertinent information. You can use this to follow up on scholarships you never heard about (and trust me, there will be many. For some reason, it is not considered common courtesy to inform applicants who were not selected that they did not win.) Some scholarships will say that they will only inform the winners, and some will post winners on their websites, but it never hurts to send an email or make a phone call just to check.
Wow, this is a really long post, so I'll stop now. Next up: resumes and essays.
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