Step 2. Identifying Qualifications

Identifying and documenting qualifications and skills will assist your student in the financial aid process. Qualifications are those characteristics about the student that makes him/her eligible for a particular scholarship. The more information documented will increase the chances of identifying and applying for scholarships.

The following outline will help identify and document your students qualifications. Use a separate sheet of paper for each heading. Your student's qualifications can be organized into the following categories:

• Personal Information Document: Information about educational and career goals, college plans, etc. Many scholarships have certain restrictions and eligibility requirements that may apply to geographic location, gender, test score, financial need, field of study, etc.

• Family Profile Document: Family information; family financial data; organizations or union affiliation; employers; military affiliation; ethnicity; disability impairment/medical condition; and religious affiliation. Many scholarships have certain restrictions and eligibility requirements that may apply to your student and/or family, as well.

• Education Document: Information about your student's high school and/or college education. Start with the most recent educational accomplishment. List all of the basic details about the school(s) attended or currently attending. Include the school's name, location (city and state), degree, date of graduation (or expected graduation), major, and G.P.A. Below each school, list those courses, classes, and seminars attended in order to prepare for your student's career. Most college students do not need to include information about high school, but it is important to include other education attained through community colleges and/or specialized training programs.

• Work Experiences Document: Your student's work experiences, such as: Volunteer; research projects; internships; and cooperative education programs. Start with the most recent employer and give the dates of employment, the name of the employer, and the employer's city / state address. Below each employer, state the job title and responsibilities.

• Extracurricular Activities: Document information about your student's extracurricular activities inside and outside of school such as: leadership positions; school involvement; community involvement; honors and awards; artistic talents; and athletic talents. Start with the most recent extracurricular activities. Extracurricular activities are great ways to become a well-rounded individual and improve the chances of being awarded a scholarship. Most scholarship sponsors look for students who are "well-rounded" individuals.

• Interests/Hobbies: List of your student's interests and hobbies and other activities.

Continue to Step 3-Sources of Scholarships and Financial Aid...