Our parent group offered scholarships for the first time last year. We decided we could afford $500 (total) this year. We will modify this amount each year, based on our account balance. Our school is grades 7-12.
We used the school's generic scholarship application form, but since we weren't basing this on financial need, we took out all of the parents' financial information (plus we'd feel uncomfortable having access to this info). We also wrote our own essay question:" Living in a small rural community has unique qualities often overlooked. Please explain how being from this area has had a positive impact on your life (opportunities, sports, etc)"
We were hoping to offer money to students who weren't necessarily into sports, music, academic leaders, etc. - to give them a chance to earn a scholarship. We received some excellent essays and spent one meeting reading and discussing them. We planned to give 2 $250 scholarships, but voted to increase our amount to $600 and ended up giving 3 $200 scholarships. It's not much, but will buy a book or two.
In their award letter we requested a thank you letter and a copy of their first semester bill (to show they were going to attend college). Many local scholarships wait and ask for first semester transcipts, but we voted to give them the money before they head off to college. It's a gamble (will they stick with it?) but this is what we decided on.
If your school has a guidance / student services office, check with them - ours was very helpful. Also, check out other local small business scholarships for ideas. Good luck! I was so proud to attend Senior Awards Night when they announced our scholarship winners!!
Hello,
I am with a school that is now grades 5-12. This is our first year with a graduating class. Discussions about creating scholarships have been brought up.
I would like to get other school feed back as to how/if they offer scholarships and what is their criteria. Also - the $$ amount offered.
I would like to have some examples for discussions.
Thank you!
Janet
