In order to make the scholarship application process easier for you, the following guidelines have been established.
1. Look through the Scholarship Information Notebook and mark the scholarships in which you are interested. Take note of the requirements for each scholarship to see if you are eligible. (Ex. applicable colleges, GPA, class rank, ACT/SAT scores, and special conditions or requirements).
2. Listen to the announcements each day and make note of the applications that have arrived. Also make note of the deadlines. Many times, when the new applications come in, the deadline may vary by a few days from one year to the next. Make note of this in your booklet. A copy of the scholarships that have been received will be posted on the Senior bulletin board in the hall across from the office.
3. In Mrs. Waide's office, there is a filing cabinet that contains all the scholarship applications. A list of scholarships available will be hanging on the outside of this cabinet. If new applications have been received for a scholarship, then the name will be highlighted on the list. The files are in the same order in the file drawer as they are on the list and in your booklet. You may pull your own application from the drawer, but please do not take the last application!!! Please ask Mrs. Seybert to make additional copies!!! (If Mrs. Waide is in conference, then you may write down your name and the application you request and give it to Mrs. Seybert or leave it in her box. She will pull you a copy and send you a note when it is available to be picked up.
If a "star" if found beside the name of a scholarship, then the deadline has passed or the scholarship is no longer available. Please do not pull these applications and send them in. They will be refused and thrown away without consideration.
4. You may begin the scholarship application process right now. You will need the following for most applications.
(a) Resume’ -- a list of high school activities, clubs, organizations, honors, etc. along with the corresponding years.
Note: 1 = 9th grade
2 = 10th grade
3 = 11th grade
4 = 12th grade
Example: Basketball 1, 2, 3, 4
TAFE 2, 3
NHS 3, 4
Also include community service work, activities that are not school related, etc. Keep in mind that community service is extremely important for the larger national scholarships. Don't cut yourself short...make sure you list everything! Something that you may think is inconsequential may look very impressive to a large selection committee. Keep all of this information on a computer disk. You can then use it to make numerous copies or to make changes in your information. There are several excellent examples following this page.
(b) Three (3) good letters of recommendation
Recommendation letters carry a lot of weight in the selection process, so ask people who know you well to write letters! (Teachers, coaches, ministers, employers, etc.) Do not wait until the last minute!!! You should give these people a minimum of two weeks in which to write your letter. These people are doing you a favor, so please return the courtesy -- don't put them on the spot when the deadline is near. It will also help the person writing the letter if they have a copy of your awards/honors/activities/future goals sheet. It is also a good idea to give the person writing the recommendation a copy of the scholarship. Many scholarships require the recommendation letters to be written over very specific topics such as financial need, community service, character, academic achievement, extracurricular activities, etc. The person writing the letter cannot brag on you if they don't know what to brag about!!!
Also, make copies of these letters -- you can use them for all of your applications.
(c) An essay or a statement of:
(1) your need for a scholarship
(2) why you deserve a particular scholarship
(3) plans after graduation -- college/major
(4) extenuating circumstances
(5) family size/income
(6) children in your family attending college at the same time
(7) parents’ occupations/your employment
(8) etc.
Don't write a complete essay until you fill out the application. Just jot down your information and use this information to compose your essay. Most scholarship applications include an essay, but specific ideas may be requested. Questions will differ on each individual scholarship application.
(d) If a copy of your transcript is needed for an application, then fill out a transcript request on the office counter. Mrs. Harris will make you a copy of your transcript and officially stamp it. ** You must give her a minimum of three days. ** Please do not ask her to do it at the last minute!!!
(e) Wallet size photos are requested on several applications, (color or black and white).
5. You are responsible for mailing in your own applications along with any necessary application fees. Please do not ask Mrs. Waide or Mrs. Seybert to do this for you unless it is a special scholarship that must be handled through this office directly. (These scholarships will be on the announcements). Also, note whether the deadline indicates "must be postmarked by (date)" or " must be received in this office by (date)". Many scholarship applications have been refused because deadline restrictions were not met.
6. Please type all applications!!! This looks much more impressive to the selection committees.
Note: Local scholarship applications will be written to a computer disk and will be available for those students who do not have access to the internet. This process allows students to complete applications and print them out without the need for a typewriter. These scholarship applications can be downloaded and completed using the school's website at www.perrytonisd.com. The deadline for local scholarships is April 1st.
7. You may also call the financial aid office of the school you plan to attend and ask for additional scholarships for which you can apply. There are a number of scholarships that are distributed only through the universities.
8. Most scholarship applications are now available over the Internet. Most are available to apply for on-line and many are only accepted on-line. Several that may be of interest are listed in this guide.
9. The complete scholarship guide is posted on the PISD website at
This website is updated frequently as scholarships arrive in the counselor's office. Please check this site often for available scholarships and their deadlines.
10. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask Mrs. Waide or Mrs. Seybert for help. This guide is for your benefit and the benefit of your parents as you begin to search for college funds. GOOD LUCK!!!