Ever won/applied for a scholarship??

naughtoj

naughtoj

Cathlete
Wondering if any of you all have ever won and/or applied for a scholarship?

I have a decent GPA, above 3.0 but nothing "spectacular". I don't really demonstrate financial need, if I do it is not such great a need that I feel I will win scholarships. I have never belonged to any important clubs or volunteered.

Should I even bother applying for scholarships. I searched on www.fastweb.com and had about 35 that apply to me, but many do ask what honors/accomplishments you have had. I could go write the 700 word essays but am wondering if it would be a waste of my time???

I would appreciate any input on this and any personal experiences in which you got a scholarship and were suprised to have received it......

Thanks all!!
 
just go for it. you never know until you try and why would it be a waste of time trying to get what you need to advanced your education. i really don't think it would be waste of time and you really should go for it.
kassia
When they discover the center of the universe, a lot of people will be
disappointed to discover they are not it -- Bernard Bailey
 
I have never won a scholarship but I have a 20yr old who has. I also have a 17 year old graduating from high school. I will have him apply for any and all scholarships available. My daughter was an average student. But ended up winning 1500.00 towards college and just this year the college itself gave her another 1000.00.It wasnt aid --it was a foundation scholarhsip. Some scholarships go unused-- meaning no one applies for them. Id say go for it. You just never know. Like the saying goes "Can't win unless you play" :)

A side note: My sister in law works for a college in florida. She had one student come into the AID office with funds she won collecting rare sea shells. That group gave her 2000 for college--amazing huh?
 
you need to check with local hospitals...where i work, if you work there, they pay 100% RN tuition, and in return, you give them a 2 yr committment.....and the new grads are still entitled to sign on bonus perks too.....in fact, one RN not only got his tuition paid for, but got a $ 30,000 sign on bonus to be paid over 3 yrs to him!!!!! not bad, considering he used to be a mailman!!!

where i work, you can get a BSN on site, and soon, they are going to offer MSN classes!!!

other area hospitals are offering to pay your student loans for you if you give them a work committment!!

getting back to where i work, there are dozens of nursing assistants/PCA's getting their entire school bill footed by the hospital...it is a WONDERFUL program!!
 
I received several scholarships while I was in college. Check with your school financial aid department. Many should be available through that office. They are based on so many varying criteria, that you would almost certainly qualify for something! We even had scholarships around here for students from specific small towns, scholarships for people in specific program, like nursing, etc.

Shari
 
I received several scholarships in college, and a Fullbright to teach in France. I never was much into clubs, but I've always had a high GPA (but even graduating Summa Cum Laude, I was on the "alternate" list for the Fullbright, until the person ahead of me dropped out).

I've also served on our department's scholarship committee granting scholarships.

With many scholarships, there is a minimum GPA requirement. Other scholarships are based on different criteria. I think there are websites and books that can tell you about different scholarships and what the requirements are (there are some very obscure ones, that apply to certain groups, say, children of members of some organization or such).

I hate to be a pessimist, but with a 3.0 GPA, no financial need, and especially without the honors accomplishments that they are asking about (unless there are some that you are not giving yourself credit for: sometimes these accomplishments are not just "scolastic" in nature, but can be overcoming difficulties in life), then your chances might be slim.

But you never know.
 
Hi Janice-

I'll be blunt - APPLY, APPLY, APPLY!!!

If you don't apply for scholarships, you'll never get any. We had a department on campus that was awarding grants for $1000+ and was having trouble getting students to just fill out the application form. This was basically free money.

If it takes you an hour or two to write a 700 word essay for a $1000 scholarship, isn't your time worth the possible $500 per hour in return.

Do it!! You really can't lose.
 
Janice--I know you're interested in a nursing career so I think you need to follow the advice given by Joanna. I know you're looking for a job and I would get my booty over to the hospital ASAP. Nurses are in demand--take advantage of the reimbursement opportunities. You'd be crazy not to!!! Now go--go on and just do it! You'll be fine and everything will turn out great. You need to be confident and assertive, and motivated. ;) :)

Michele
 
Hey Janice! I did apply for many scholarships and bursaries when I went back to school in 2000. My DH had passed away 3 years earlier and it was time for us to create a new 'normal'. I was in school for 3 years and was fortunate enough to receive enough to cover tuition, books and childcare costs.:) I worked 2 in College jobs, tutoring and clerical, to help minimize the dreaded post college student debt.

I went back to school at 38 and after 12 years as a SAHM it was a life changing experience to go to College with a bunch of young adults. I loved the hard work and FUN! I got very good at searching for bursaries within the College and in the Community. One that I received was a 'Women's Opportunity Award' of $750.00 from a local service club called 'Soroptomists of the Americas'. I hadn't heard of them before but they do fabulous work within communities doing things like co-op gardening and teaching people how to grow their own food. I met some truly wonderful women who worked hard and had fun doing it. A few months later I was floored to find out that my application had gone on to the central/eastern region and I would receive $5 000.00 AMERICAN!!!! Their annual convention was in Thunder Bay, Ontario so I cashed in some Air Miles and my eldest daughter (who had just turned 13) and I flew to the North end of Lake Superior and had an amazing 3 days in May!:) I rented a car and we toured and had a blast. Oops sorry to go on so long, now I'm getting all reminiscent....:)

You should apply to anything that pertains to you. Those who endow scholarships and bursaries have a process and want to see their gifts used to help minimize someone's debt. I worked at the Alumni/Development office of the College and saw quite a few award go unclaimed as nobody had applied! I say go for it.

Take Care
Laurie:)
 
I didn't pay a dime for college. I financed the whole 4 years through scholarships. I earned a full-tuition scholarship through my University's Honors Program and paid for books, fees, etc. through private scholarships.

I didn't go to my first-choice school, but going to a state school made it easier to be a superstar. I graduated 13th in my high school class and had decent activities, but nothing stellar.

Go for it! You may be surprised at what you're awarded. I was. You never really know what's going to resonate with the scholarship committees, you've really got nothing to lose, except a little bit of time, and years of student loan payments.
 
Janice, I got scholarships in grad school. Don't remember much about the application process, just that there was some paperwork and most of it was about having a high GPA and keeping it at a certain level. GO FOR IT, Janice. Never say never, that it's a waste of your time. You won't know what's out there until you seek it out. Education isn't just for the intelligentsia. I believe those who want it should have some kind of support, high GPA or not. Tell you what... some of the most dense (I'm being kind here) people I know have Ph.D.'s. I have no idea how they got there. My husband and I have been through grad school and we've observed that you don't need all that high-brow knowledge to graduate. You just have to have the right attitude. I know you've been wanting this for yourself. Go for it. Don't hesitate. Just do it. Good luck.:)

Pinky
 
Janice -

I would definitely apply for any that you are eligible for. I received 4 different scholorships my freshman year - and one continued through all 4 years. I can tell you the main advantage - I graduated with only a few thousand $$ in loans - while my brother and sister that didnt apply/receive any ended up with thousands... Anything helps these days. At the time the $400 scholorship may not have seemed like much - but in repayment in the later years - it can be a big difference.

Go for it! You never know!
 
Thank you everyone. I understand the logic that if I don't play I can't win. I will investigate the scholarships further. My school actually provided me with the fastweb website. They said it is the best, so we will see!

Joanna....I know of these programs you speak of. Problem is...I need to get a job in a hospital first. I am asking around at school, but I don't have enough experience yet to start working as a CNA w/o the cert. Clinicals start in one month and I hope to get more experience there so that I can sit for the certification exam and GET A JOB. I have applied for the other entry level positions that are not clinical. We will see. Plus, I want to make sure I actually LIKE working somewhere before I commit to giving them two or more years of my life, you know?

Thanks again everyone!
 
janice.......i work in hemodialysis, and we use "techs".....all training provided..and i believe some out our techs went to the floor to be a PCA, and were fully trained by the hospital, as they were on the waiting list to get into the school...they were only taking pre-req's.....my advice is to keep digging!! WAY WAY back when i was a nursing assistant, i wasnt certified......if i wanted to work in long term care, you needed cert, but not in a hospital, but times may have changed.( this was 1990)

you could get a job tomorrow as a transporter in a hospital!!! then transfer to PCA/assistant if the requirement is to be certified. most hopsitals will pay for the pre-req classes too.

are any hospitals "MAGNET" certified......if they are, i strongly suggest going there to look for a job now and later!!
 
Joanna..

I have applied for several PCT or CNA jobs on the internet, positions open at local hospitals, and never rec'd any word back. I think it is pretty standard that they want you certified now, or atleast have one semester of clinical experience under your belt. I thought it might be somewhat easier for me to get in entry-level, because they would see me as a future RN. But, I guess not!

Do you think I should just start calling the hospitals? Showing up? Right now I am applying on the internet only, with a cover letter that states I am in nursing school.

There are some caregiver positions open around the valley, but they are "non-medical" and I really don't want to work outside of a hospital or in private homecare because I think there is more to be learned inside the hospital. How do you think I should proceed? I have been applying online for everything within a hospital outside of the toilet cleaner lady! LOL!:)
 
Oh, I applied for a Renal Care tech position and never heard back from them either. That was online too....
 
Janice,

You really need to go in person to apply. I think you'll have a good deal more success if they can see you and talk to you in person. The people getting the jobs are the ones making the greatest effort, and I'm sure you are, but you need to be more personal in your approach. I would at least call as a follow-up to my online application. ;)

Michele
 
Thanks Michele. Yah, I know so far I have been taking the "lazy" way...Will do.....as soon as I get an acceptable outfit!!:)
 
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