Check out Arlington ISD’s scholarships page
Attention high school students. Is “applying for college scholarships” on your winter break to-do list? If not, you need to add it! Take advantage of your free time over the holidays to set yourself up for a great future.
If you don’t know what scholarships to apply for, that’s not a problem. Finding scholarships is easy thanks to the Arlington ISD’s guidance and counseling department. Students can apply for scholarships year-round by checking out the scholarships page and choosing which ones they qualify for.
There is a scholarship for everyone. Do you have a green thumb and plan to major in horticulture? Are you first in your family to pursue college, or are you an active member in Boy Scouts? Did you participate in the Dan Dipert Career & Technical Center culinary arts and hospitality program, or are you currently enrolled in a STEM-related career pathway? There are scholarships for all those students and a whole lot more. Scholarships range from $500 to $10,000.
Arlington ISD director of guidance and counseling Telisa Brown has a few tips for parents and students planning to apply for scholarships this spring and fall:
- Do not ignore small awards.
Every amount will help and add up. - Gather items needed to apply for a scholarship early, like your transcript, completed FAFSA documents, resume, recommendation letters and essays.
You may need these documents to reference while completing applications. - Request letters of recommendation early.
Some scholarships require letters of recommendation. Decide early who should write these letters. Select individuals (outside of close family members) who can speak to your strengths and ability to overcome your weaknesses. Give your recommenders no less than two weeks to prepare. - Gloat! Sing your own praises!
This is a time to brag about all the great things you are doing academically and within the community. - Meet all application deadlines.
If you miss a deadline, even by just one day, you may not be considered.
Brown also reminds students and parents to take advantage of Xello, a platform that helps juniors and seniors plan for college by using resources such as basic information surrounding scholarships, when and where to find scholarships and how to avoid scholarships that may be scams.
For additional questions related to searching and applying for scholarships, please contact your school counselors. If you do not know who your school counselor is, use this link to search: Email Your Student’s Campus School Counselor Here.