By Steven Long/reporter
Students learned ways to get through college without paying an arm and a leg at Free Money—Applying For Scholarships Feb. 27.
The program was presented by Sandra Johnson, a South Campus counselor, and Altheria Gaston, a South Campus English instructor, and gave students tips for finding scholarships right for them.
“ Where is the free money?” Johnson asked, “It is right here under your nose!”
Johnson told students the best place to find scholarships is in the financial aid office.
Several scholarship opportunities are posted on the bulletin board just outside the door on each campus, and a thick binder of scholarship listings is kept inside the office for student use.
“ You want to take the time to look through the binder and see if any of those [scholarships] have your name on them,” she said.
Because many scholarships require essays in order to qualify, Gaston offered tips to help coach students on writing better essays.
“ Read what they want carefully,” she said. “Once you pick out the scholarship that requires an essay, read the prompt carefully. Try your best to include everything they ask you for.”
Gaston said students should be sincere in their scholarship essays.
“ Some people have a natural ability to detect fakeness,” she said, “The scholarship committee isn’t dumb. They know when you’re not being genuine.”
Students applying for scholarships need to let the companies offering them know exactly what sets them apart from all the other students applying, Gaston said. Students should indicate their financial need and their achievements.
“ There is no reason why an individual has to struggle to get an education.” Johnson said, “There are just too many offerings that are overlooked [and] ignored.”
Handouts available at the seminar addressed misconceptions surrounding free college money.
Johnson said many students do not bother to look for free money because they assume the scholarships are tied in with age or race.
“ Trust me,” she said. “There are scholarships with your name on them.”
