Next Steps As You Begin Receiving Scholarships

As a high school senior, you are definitely entering or in the home stretch of your final year of high school. Hopefully, you are continuing to apply for scholarships and finishing strong in your classes and your activities. Since we are into Spring now, you probably have or soon will be finding out which private scholarships you have been awarded. As those scholarship notifications come through and those awards presentations occur, something you and your parents might not think about it making sure you keep track of every scholarship you have been awarded. Why, you ask? Because it is truly your responsibility to make sure that you do receive the money you have been awarded. Make sure to create a list of the names of the scholarships – who is awarding it (donor, organization, etc) – amount of the award – whether it will be awarded 1st Semester or 2nd Semester or be split between semesters – and if there is any information you have to submit to the donor/organization to make sure you receive the money.

It IS important to keep track, because you do want to know make sure the money does come through for you, especially because chances are that the scholarship will go directly to the college in your name. The donor/organization may need to have an update on where you are going to college, once you’ve decided. Some scholarships may ask for “proof of registration” of classes before they will send the scholarship. I’ve seen private scholarships that were partially awarded on financial need, which then asked for proof that the student still owed money to the college after the other “gift aid” was given. Some scholarships might not be awarded until 2nd semester, and even then, they may want proof that you successfully completed your 1st semester and are enrolled for the 2nd. So, keep a list of every private scholarship you are awarded, and make sure you follow through on any instructions that you need to follow to ensure you receive the money next school year.

What should you do if next year you don’t ever see the scholarship come through at the college? Politely and respectfully contact the donor or organization. If you don’t know for sure who that is, your school counselor or the counseling administrative assistant or whoever gave you the information for the scholarship may be able to tell you who the contact is. If you did forget to give them some information, let them know you will get it submitted as soon as possible, and then do that!

Lastly – as you receive these private scholarships, keep an attitude of gratitude! Individuals, families, and organizations do not have to award money for students to help them attend college, but they do because the think it is important, and they want to assist young people in their post-secondary pursuits. Be sure to write a Thank You to the scholarship donor and even the selection committee if you know who to send that to. Also – remember to send a Thank You to all of those good people who wrote recommendation letters for you for the applications. Again – they do it because they want to help, but it’s important that they know that you appreciated their efforts.

Best wishes to all of you! I hope the scholarship awards have already begun to roll in and continue to arrive in a steady stream!

 Mary Joan - East Central Iowa Advisor