WRITING CENTER "INFORMATION PICK-UP" (S.S.C.C.)

S.S.C.C. FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

Q & A

• WHAT IS AN SSCC FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP?

• WHO MAY APPLY FOR IT?

• WHAT ARE SOME TIPS THEY MAY USE TO BE MORE COMPETITIVE?

• WHAT IS AN SSCC FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP?

SSCC staff help raise money from the local West Seattle community to support school and student programs, projects, staff development and activities.

One important part of the Foundation is to support students who have academic achievements and can show financial need.

Scholarships are in the form of pre-paid tuition only. No cash awards are made. These SSCC Foundation Scholarships provide pre-paid tuition for between one and three quarters. SSCC Foundation scholarships are non-transferable to any other school.

Where are SSCC Foundation Scholarship applications available?

Applications are available through the Financial Aid Office (near Registration), each Division Office, and the Development Office (R.S. 200).

When are scholarship applications due?

Scholarship applications are due the first Monday in February annually. Submit applications to the Development Office, located at the Robert Smith Building at R.S. 200.

Who selects scholarship recipients?

The SSCC Foundation Scholarship Committee is made up of community volunteers who raise funds for the students and the college. These volunteers also select scholarship recipients.

How does the SSCC Foundation Scholarship Committee select scholarship winners?

The committee selects recipients based on academic progress and/or financial need. Careful attention is given to the following:

1) instructor's recommendations, and

2) applicants' determination to achieve their educational goals.

Do applications have to be typed?

No, but your effort to "keep it neat" will be appreciated. Legibility is important. Print using an ink pen if you choose not to type your application.

Some applicants choose to fill in the front page of their application by long hand and then WORD-PROCESS the rest of the application. If you choose to do so, be sure to number each section in your typed copy so that readers know exactly which question you are addressing. Stay with the original order in the form.

When will scholarship winners be announced?

Letters will be mailed to each applicant the last week in March. Winners will also be announced to the faculty in the form of a newsletter (in both hard copy and e-mail).

If I miss the deadline, may I still turn in my application?

Applications will not be accepted after the deadline.

• WHO MAY APPLY FOR IT?

All U.S. residents and those seeking residency are eligible to apply. Preference is given to students who have already completed 12 credits at SSCC.

• WHAT ARE SOME TIPS THEY MAY USE TO BE MORE COMPETITIVE?

1. Understand what is required in the scholarship application, and make sure that you begin fulfilling the requirements of that application as soon as possible.

Read the application completely before you begin. Make note of what is to be included with the completed application.

Get to work right away fulfilling the requirements of the application--as letters of recommendation and transcripts are usually required. Remember that the entire application has to be in by a certain deadline, or else your whole application becomes invalid.

2. Use details to represent yourself fully.

Supply enough specific detail about yourself and your situation so that committee members have a complete picture of you and your situation.

Remember that you want to come across clearly as a full-fledged individual. Usually, it helps to emphasize your concern for society--as seen in your volunteerism, civic activities, church participation, or other "good works". Those who are giving out the scholarships are being socially-conscious in their decision to donate to the Foundation, and likely, they want to support others who show social conscience.

3. Request copies of your transcript.

When you order your transcript, let registration know that it is for the SSCC Foundation scholarship, and the $3 preparation fee will be waived. Don't forget to include your sealed transcript with your application.

4. Request letters of recommendation from your instructors.

Give your instructors plenty of time to prepare a letter of recommendation for you.

Make your request in writing to them. Clarify when the deadline is and the parameters of the scholarship application (These do vary with different emphases. Letters which take into account the specific aspects of the scholarship tend to strengthen a student's application. If you had taken an instructor's course several quarters ago, make sure to specify which quarter you attended the instructor's course. If you still have any grade sheet or outstanding work from that course, you may wish to bring copies of those in for the instructor to refresh his/her memory.).

Teachers will submit letters of recommendation directly to the Foundation. They may well have an extra copy or two for you as well for your records (and or for use in future applications for other scholarships, grants, jobs or entry into university). If you would like a copy for yourself, you may want to mention this to the instructor.

5. Find out about other scholarship opportunities.

Visit the SSCC Financial Aid Office to review the notebook containing other scholarship opportunities offered by area organizations and clubs. SSCC and public libraries also have information about scholarship opportunities. It never hurts to apply.

6. Try again if the first application is declined.

If you do not receive a Foundation scholarship this time around, try again. Some students have been selected after a second try.

FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION WORKSHOP

NOTES

1. Freewrite/ Brainstorm/ Focus:

Who are you?

Why do you need and deserve a scholarship?

2. Process and Audience: Do's and Don'ts

Overview of the Process: Get started now.

What is the purpose of this writing?

The purpose of your application writing is to fairly represent your past education and work history, current financial situation, current academic ambitions and your future aims for your career.

You want to show that you are academically responsible, socially conscious, and worthy of receiving financial support for your studies. Show that you have realistic expectations of yourself. It would also help to show how you are building your future on your past.

Who is your audience?

Talk to your grandmother or grandfather. Write as if you are writing to a friendly and caring older relative who would like to help you in your career. Keep a friendly and fairly informal tone in your writing.

What should the tone be?

Discuss your situation directly. Don't be shy and modest. Be

direct and open. Understand that the grant reviewers may

not have any opportunity to ask you for clarification on

any unclear points given the number of applications they

must read and judge as well as the logistical difficulty of

contacting SSCC Foundation Scholarship applicants.

Balance between being open and frank about financial needs and

whining or begging or playing a victim. You do not need to

actually put down the numbers of your income and your

outlay, but do sketch the main details of your general work

(and busy schedule) vs. the financial responsibilities.

Don't be overly formal as that can be off-putting to readers.

Give enough specific detail about yourself that you seem like a complete person.

3. Group Brainstorm for each question:

What should you include?

family income (income) major expenses (outlay)

why do you need support this year?

work record--where does it go?

4. Structure, Organization and Connections

Organizing: From general to specific or vice versa (ascending or

descending order)

Connections: Between educational goals and career goals

Using transitions to connect ideas and paragraphs

Revising for clarity, unity and focus

Editing for grammar and syntax mistakes

Sources: SSCC Development Office and the SSCC Writing Center

(Revised 1998)