Be informed when to pick up the phone or schedule a meeting

Yes, emails are a quick way of communicating with scholarship sponsors and financial aid advisors or counselors. But in any case, you should never underestimate the value of a phone call or a meeting. You should know when it is important to pick up the phone and make a call.

Make your email clear and precise

It is very obvious that admission counselors, financial aid officers and scholarship sponsors receive hordes of emails. Therefore, remember to keep your email short and to the point. Divide it into short paragraphs and place the most important information in the first and second paragraphs. Do not write an email which is more than half a page. Make the emails as much readable as possible.

A 'cute' email addres is a complete no-no for important emails

Email addresses like 'findouter07@aol.com' are unprofessional. Informal emial addresses like these mar the gravity of the formal emails you are writing. Use professional looking email address like jamestomerson@aol.com. If you don't have one like this, create and new account and use it in formal and officials emails.

Follow a professional format

Do not use colored fonts, unusual fonts and formatted backgrounds in an official email. You may think that the unusual font style and formatted background will make your email stand out from others. But that is not OK with formal emails. Keep the font and formatting simple which is acceptable in formal writing.

Do not leave the subject line blank

The subject line plays a crucial role when writing formal emails. So, do not leave it blank or type a few words casually. In fact, you should choose a subject line which reflects the actual message that you want to convey to the reader. It is the very first impression of your email and should be very clear and precise.

Avoid abbreviations and emoticons

When you are writing an official or a formal email, do not use informal abbreviations like LOL, FYI and emoticons like :). These abbreviations may just be good when you are writing to a friend. But, they should be a complete no-no, when it comes to writing emails to scholarship sponsors, admission counselors etc.

Do not type in capital letters

By writing your email in all caps, you are never going to make a good impression on scholaship sponsors or the reader to who you are writing officially. In fact, writing in capital letters implies that you are shouting which may just lose the interest of readers. Apart from that, emails types in all caps also are harder to read. So, even if you want to attract the reader's attention towards a specific point, do not use caps. Instead, just make those fonts bold while writing them in small letters.

Financial Need

There are many scholarships where they select deserving candidates by asking questions prepared to validate the financial need. These programs target students who are really having trouble to pay for college. A detailed and personal account of your financial need is required to verify that you are actually in need of college money.



Questions may include :



What impact the scholarship is going to make on your education?
Write about any personal or family circumstances that affect your need for financial support.
How have you been supporting your college education expenses?



Apart from all these questions, scholarship committees and sponsors may also ask a couple of random questions to test your innovativeness and check out the sense of your personality. Now that you have known about the common essay questions and how to handle them, you can prepare yourself for the best. Do some brainstorming on writing scholarship essays and you can be a scholarship winner.

Future Plans & Goals

A candidate's vision and their motivation is also an important part of winning a scholarship. So, scholarship sponsors, judges and committees may also ask you to write about your aspirations and goals in the scholarship essay.



Questions may include :



Describe in brief about your short-term and long-term goals.
Where do you see yourself 10 years down the line?
How does the college education help shape your career?

Background & Influences

Some of the scholarships will ask you about your background - where you have been and where you come from. The committees may ask you to write about your background details and personal influences.



Questions may include :



Pick an experience from your life and its influence on your development.
Who, according to you, has influenced your life the most?
How does your family background relate to the world?
What has been the contribution of your education to what you are today?

Personal Achievements

Scholarship sponsors and judges like to reward candidates with personal achievements. So, you may be asked to brag about your achievements and accomplishments.



Questions may include :



Describe your leadership qualities both in and out of school.
Give an attribute or accomplishment that sets you apart from other scholarship candidates.
How do your most meaningful achievements relate to your field of study?
Why should you deserve this scholarship award?

Current Events & Social Issues

Scholarship sponsors and judges prefer candidates who keep themselves abreast of the current events and issues that a society may face. These questions are prepared to test your problem solving skills as well as to know how active you are in terms of social problems and issues.



Questions may include :


Which societal problem, according to you, is the most important?
Given a chance, what would you do to make a positive change to your school?
Pick a controversial college campus issue and provide a solution to the same.
What threatens today's environment the most?

Your Field of Specialization & Academic Plans

Some of the scholarship application questions are asked to find out how well you know about your field of study. Candidates need to answer the questions telling why they have the interest to pursue a particular specialization area of study.



Questions may include :



How are you going to contribute to your career plans by pursuing a major or field of study you have chosen to pursue?
Why have you chosen to become --------?
What role your selected major has to play in today's society?
Where will your selected industry lead 10 years down the line?

Make it easy

Remember people who are writing a scholarship letter of recommendation for you are actually doing you a favor. So, it is your responsibility that you give them ample time to get the best letter written. It is always advisable to give notice to the recommender three weeks in advance. Always make a formal request to the recommender you have picked. Remember to supply your recommender detailed information about yourself, your achievements and your career goals. The information your provide to the recommendation letter writer should include your complete contact information, information required for the application, full title and description of the scholarship award, a copy of your completed scholarship application, your resume, information about your achievements etc.



If you think your recommender has forgotten to write the scholarship recommendation letter you request, remind them of the same gracefully. A good way to remind the person is to ask whether they need some more information about your career goals and past achievements. And after the recommender has written a good letter for you, do not forget to send them a thank-you note for their valuable time and effort.



If you are able to keep all these points in mind, you are definitely going to have a great letter of recommendation written. A great letter recommending you can really make a huge difference by making you a deserving candidate for winning scholarship awards.

When to ask for a recommendation letter

Do not only get recommendation letter when you actually need them. These letters are require while applying at a college or for scholarship programs and the like. However, you should be smart enough to plan for these things in advance. It is a good idea to compile a file of letters as you keep getting them, rather than getting them written at a time when you need them. If you wait for the right time and do not receive a letter from the recommender when you had the opportunity, you may also run the risk of losing it. Because, after two or three years, the professor may just forget you.

Who should recommend you for scholarship?

It is quite obvious that your best recommendation from people who have known you closely. People who have worked with you and are aware of your career plans and goals can write the best letter of recommendation for you. Not only teachers and professors who have taught and known you for long, but there are a number of other people who can recommend you in the best possible ways. Employers, community leaders, clergy members and coaches are also excellent resource for getting written the scholarship recommendation letter.



For writing the letter, do not just pick anyone. Select the person wisely keeping in mind the scholarship award special criteria and the sponsor's specific interests. A letter of recommendation by the director of the homeless shelter you are volunteering at can be a good idea, if you are applying for a community service group scholarship award.



Another important thing to note is that the letter writer can actually write well. A professional may have spent long time with you and may know you and your goals quite well. But, at the same time, they should also be able to write a really good letter of recommendation. If you think they are unable to write the letter well and with enthusiasm, you should probably turn to someone else.

Continuing Receiving Federal Student Financial Aid

To be able to continue getting the federal student aid, students also need to abide by federal laws. According to the federal laws, the scholarship receiving candidate should keep on making satisfactory academic progress (SAP). The point is that if the student fails to male progress consistently, the taxpayer money used to fund the student college education is simply wasted. Therefore, students need to score at least a C average (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) to be able to continue receiving the financial aid.



If a student fails to perform consistently, most of the colleges will issue a warning, referred to as ‘academic probation'. There are some special cases where the college may decide to waive the requirements temporarily. These special circumstances behind the failure of academic progress can be personal injury, student ailment or the death of a close relative. In order to regain the eligibility for receiving the scholarship award, students will need to improve their GPA above the C average threshold. Under these circumstances, students will need to use their own financial resources or take up a private student loan.

Bankruptcy and Private Student Loans

Yes, the bankruptcy will be considered by most of the private student loans. If the borrower or the student has had a bankruptcy over the past 7-10 years, private student loans will be denied to the borrower by most of the scholarship sponsors and organizations. Previously, the scenario was different and the lenders had some exceptions in cases where the borrower had no control; conditions may include natural calamities or unbearable medical costs. Today, the leniency has vanished owing to the credit crisis.

Applying for Federal Student Aid after You Filed for Bankruptcy

Many candidates have queries like whether they are eligible to receive federal student financial aid since they filed for bankruptcy. One can not be denied federal student aid like the Pell Grant and the Perkins Loan only because they filed for bankruptcy. However, when it comes to repaying Perkins loan, college may have a look at the candidate's post-bankruptcy credit history. Yes, a students will be ineligible for federal student aid if the candidate's federal student loans were not discharged by the bankruptcy. Being not discharged by the bankruptcy means the candidate's federal student loans are currently in default.

Applying for FAFSA

Scholarship deadlines may vary from one state to another. If you are applying for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you can not submit the application form before 1st January. The financial aid program is based on income from the previous financial year, ending on 31st December. Therefore, students need to submit their FAFSA scholarship application form after 1st January, but as soon as possible. It is advisable not to wait to apply for FAFSA until you have got admission into a college or your have filed your income tax returns.

Scholarship Sponsor goes out of their Way to Sound Official

Before you apply for a specific scholarship award, it is essential to confirm the legitimacy of the scholarship sponsor. By using official sounding words like ‘federal', ‘education' and ‘national', scam sponsors try to fool you into thinking they are a legitimate scholarship provider. When in doubt, validate the legitimacy of the provider with school counseling and guidance center.

Claims of ‘exclusive' Scholarships

There are scholarships and financial aid available for students of various backgrounds. No scholarship sponsor provides an exclusive scholarship. If some provider claims that the scholarship is exclusive and is available to no one else, they are a scam scholarship provider. So, be ready to detect the warning sign and not get scammed.

Unsolicited Scholarships

How do you like it when someone calls you to receive a scholarship award you never applied for? Be wary of such situations. This is most likely a scholarship scam.

Scholarship Guarantee

Selecting scholarship winners is the sole decision of scholarship committees and judges. There is no one who can guarantee you free scholarship money. If someone says so, they want you to get into a scam. So, keep this in mind as a warning sign of a scam.

Credit Card/ Bank Account Information Required

If some scholarship sponsors or committee asks you to furnish your credit card information or your bank account information, you should be careful and respond with a firm ‘no'. By providing such information, you can be a victim of a scam.

Foreign Students

Even when you are a resident of a state other than the United States, you can be eligible for several scholarship programs. Some of the scholarships are targeted at students belonging to specific countries. There are others that focus on international students. Candidates need to apply for scholarship listed under both the award categories.

Disability

There are more scholarships types than you can think. Awards are also available for students who are suffering from disability or are physically challenged. Whether it is a learning disability or long term illness, there are financial aid programs for all physically challenged candidates. Some scholarship programs target specific disability while some of them are general awards for disabled students.

Ethnic Background

There are multiple scholarship award programs that target students on the basis of their ethnicity or cultural background. There are hundreds of scholarship programs for students of minority backgrounds. To apply for such financial aid programs, it is not mandatory to be a full blooded member of a particular ethnic background. Depending on your ethnicity, you can apply for native American students scholarships, Hispanic students scholarships, African American student scholarships etc. Candidates should, therefore, be well informed about the community group and ethnic background they belong to.

Student Affiliations

There are numerous clubs and organizations that offer free scholarship money to their registered members. Find out what you like to do or what you are interested in. You can then join relevant clubs and organizations and become a registered member. You can qualify for many financial aid programs, depending on your hobbies and interests.

State of Residency/ State of Study

Knowing who you are also includes the state you live in or the state where you study. Many of the government funded education financial aid programs are targeted at in-state students. If you want to qualify for one of these awards, you need to establish your residency even when you are in your first year of your college. Candidates need to check out both their home state and the state where they are attending college. There are several private organizations that offer financial aid based on state specific criteria. These programs award students according to their academic merit and extra curricular activities.

College Major/ Field of Interest

There are many scholarship sponsors, committees and organizations that provide financial support to students on the basis of their college major and the field of interest. So, if you are a college student, the first thing is to start with your college major or academic area. While applying for scholarships based on majors, you need to check whether the eligibility criteria fits in with your field of interest or college major. Those who are high school students need to consider what college major they want to pursue and can excel in.



There are candidates who are a double major. In this case, you want to check for scholarship possibilities under both the college majors. If you are an English major, you can not only apply for scholarship awards targeted at English major, but also listed under 'literature', literary studies' and 'humanities' among others. Some financial aid programs are based on what you aim to become in life. Depending on your career dreams (becoming a lawyer, doctor, engineer, teacher, journalist etc.), you can find and apply for awards that focus on such careers.

Other Sources of Aid for Pursuing Education Abroad

Besides using the existing financial aid or the scholarship you have already got, you can also search and apply for other education aid programs, offered by numerous scholarship organizations, business establishments, educational commissions, state based agencies and corporations, government funds and research foundations among others.



Candidates can also check out several fellowships programs and educational grants that the United States government offers to students studying abroad. Some of the most useful resources for study abroad aid are as follows.



National Security Education Program (NSEP)
NAFSA Grants and Scholarships
Rotary Foundation Scholarships
Study Abroad Scholarships (University of Minnesota)
U.S Department of State
U.S. Department of Education
Institute of Turkish Studies (ITS)
Hispanic Study Abroad Scholarships (HSAS)
Gilman International Scholarship Program
Association of Commonwealth Universities

Using the Financial Aid You Have Already Received

Hardly do many students are aware that many of the financial aid and federal aid they have already got are transferable to studying overseas. Therefore, the very first step towards funding your international education program is to check out whether you can use your existing education aid. For this, you need to check all the usual educational aid including federal need-based aid, state need-based scholarships and state merit scholarships, institutional financial aid etc.



When it comes to using federal aid like the Pell Grants, Stafford loans and PLUS loans, candidates are required to fulfill the international education aid eligibility. However, your school can not deny the transfer of educational fund just because you are interested to pursue a study abroad education program. Of course, there are some requirements that you need to fulfill for a hassle-free transfer of funds to a college or university abroad. For further details on the limitations both for federal financial aid and other state-based and institutional aid, students can get in touch with the financial aid department at their schools.

Eligibility for the Aid

Before you actually apply for the financial aid programs, you need to be informed whether you are eligible for the international funding or not. The financial aid amount that you receive for studying overseas depends on the following factors.



The financial aid amount your qualify for at home campus
The price label on the study-abroad education program
The level of commitment your college has for the promotion of study abroad opportunities
Whether or not the education program you select is approved by your college

Popular Sources of Undergraduate Scholarships

Undergrads can avail themselves of multiple scholarship opportunities worldwide. There are colleges, universities, foundations, associations, business organizations and other sources that offer free college money for applicants. Some of these sources are listed below.



Harry S. Truman Scholarship
Gates Millennium Scholarships
American Institute Of Certified Public Accountants Scholarships (AICPA)
National Association for Hispanic Journalists
American Institute of Architects Minority Disadvantaged Scholarship
ARMY ROTC Scholarships for Historically Black Colleges
Project Excellence Scholarships
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Scholarships
Ambassadorial Scholarships

Minority Undergraduates

There are many academic organizations and associations that provide financial support to undergraduate belonging to minority groups. The scholarship money is provided to undergrads on the basis of their ethnic, racial and cultural background. Several funds support such underrepresented students and encourage them to enter a technical field of study.

Classification of Major Sponsoring Sources

Scholarship for undergraduates are provided by an array of sponsors, which includes -

Federal and State Based Scholarships
Colleges and Universities
Professional organizations and corporations

Student Targeted Scholarships

There are numerous organizations that target students on the ground of student type, background or where the applicant comes from. So, if you are an undergraduate and looking for free college money, you can also apply for scholarships that are student specific. Depending on their specific background, one undergrad also has the probability of falling under two or more categories. These categories may include international students, minorities, military, low-income and study abroad among others.

Subject Targeted Scholarship for Undergrads

If you have already decided about the major field of study that you want to pursue, you need to consider applying for subject specific scholarships. Almost every high school student or a two college student or a returning student wishes to attend college and graduate to kick-start a career. Students who are keenly interested to pursue a particular field of study have dozens of education aid opportunities for them. In many cases, you may be required to choose a specialized study field under a general category. For instance, students who wish to do a major in engineering may further need to select a specialization field such as mechanical, civil, industrial, aerospace etc. These programs targeted at specialization categories are also referred to micro-niche scholarships, targeted at supporting the undergraduates.



There are several corporations, professional organizations and business establishments that distribute millions of dollars in the form of undergraduate scholarship money. There are companies that encourage students to study in a major, which is related to their business or industry.

Begin your search

Though finding undergraduate scholarship opportunities can be a bit difficult, it is never impossible to locate and apply to one whose eligibility criteria you fulfill. To start with, you need to search for aid programs that target to financially support undergraduate students. Your search can be based either on the student type/ background or subject type. There is no doubt that most of these free money for college is available on the ground of academic excellence and financial need.



Students who can apply for undergrads financial aid programs include -



High school going students
Four year college students
Two year college students
Technical college students
Home-school students
Non-traditional students
Returning students

Gates Cambridge Scholarship 2012-2013

Set up by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in the year 2000, Gates Cambridge Scholarship has become one of the most popular international grants for students. The award is offered to students outside the U.K. planning to study at the Cambridge University. Full tuition expense is covered under this international funding scheme.

German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Scholarship 2012-2013

Under this education funding scheme, around 50,000 students and researchers receive scholarships every year. If you are an undergraduate student or a graduate student and planning to study in Germany, you are eligible to apply for this prestigious award.

Watson Fellowship 2012-2013

The fellowship program provides $25,000 to international students studying abroad. To become eligible to receive the award, you must be a senior earning your graduate from a participating college in the United States. These awards are provided to students on the ground of their genuine interests. Another criteria to benefit from the program is that the fellow can not come back to U.S. for their complete fellowship year.

Marshall Scholarship 2012-2013

The scholarship provides you a wonderful funding opportunity, if you are U.S. resident and wish to pursue an advanced degree in the United Kingdom. Under this education funding scheme, around 40 U.S. students are offered scholarships to study in the U.K. for two years.

Fulbright Programs 2012-2013

Whether you are a college graduate, a doctoral student, an artist, a recent college graduate or a young professional, Fulbright Scholarship awards are offered to fund your college education. These prestigious scholarships are awarded year-long projects, research projects, independent projects and teaching English among others. The United States Department of State sponsors this scholarship award.