2008 Woodie Awards
Scholarships can help students in need of money pay for college
By Adriana F. De Leon
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: News
Originally published: 11/29/07 at 2:32 PM CSTLast update: 1/24/08 at 10:38 AM CST
Thinking about how to pay for college is a hassle for every college student.
However, there is a solution, if students take the time needed to apply for scholarships, they could have money to pay for college.
So, where does an applicant start when seeking to apply for scholarships?
"The best way is just for them to come see me. I am designated as the scholarship coordinator, so all I do is assist students with scholarships," scholarship Coordinator Carmen Velasquez of Palo Alto College, said.
Students who attend any Alamo Community College can contact Velasquez.
Scholarships are free and students should take advantage of this free money and see how easily accessible scholarships can be found, she said.
Scholarship applications are based on a point system and the more information the applicant attaches, such as a letter of recommendation or a resume, the higher the points an applicant will have.
"I always tell the students, find a professor that you feel comfortable with that you can talk to, that you have a good rapport with," she said.
If possible ask a recent professor and give the professor a two-week advance notice to write the letter of recommendation.
"Make sure if you have an essay for the scholarship itself, give them (the professor) a copy of that essay because that essay will probably say some things about you that you know the professor probably doesn't know about you, so they can incorporate that," she said.
This allows the individuals who are selecting the applicants to learn more about each applicant and make a final decision.
Some scholarship applications also require résumés.
For example, if a student is applying for a specific scholarship that focuses on seeking a degree in nursing and the applicant has previous work experience in a doctor's office, the n a résumé would be required, she said.
"This gets us to understand that yes, they're really truly wanting to go for that major and their likelihood of succeeding is that much greater because this is something they have been doing for a while," she said.
However, there is a solution, if students take the time needed to apply for scholarships, they could have money to pay for college.
So, where does an applicant start when seeking to apply for scholarships?
"The best way is just for them to come see me. I am designated as the scholarship coordinator, so all I do is assist students with scholarships," scholarship Coordinator Carmen Velasquez of Palo Alto College, said.
Students who attend any Alamo Community College can contact Velasquez.
Scholarships are free and students should take advantage of this free money and see how easily accessible scholarships can be found, she said.
Scholarship applications are based on a point system and the more information the applicant attaches, such as a letter of recommendation or a resume, the higher the points an applicant will have.
"I always tell the students, find a professor that you feel comfortable with that you can talk to, that you have a good rapport with," she said.
If possible ask a recent professor and give the professor a two-week advance notice to write the letter of recommendation.
"Make sure if you have an essay for the scholarship itself, give them (the professor) a copy of that essay because that essay will probably say some things about you that you know the professor probably doesn't know about you, so they can incorporate that," she said.
This allows the individuals who are selecting the applicants to learn more about each applicant and make a final decision.
Some scholarship applications also require résumés.
For example, if a student is applying for a specific scholarship that focuses on seeking a degree in nursing and the applicant has previous work experience in a doctor's office, the n a résumé would be required, she said.
"This gets us to understand that yes, they're really truly wanting to go for that major and their likelihood of succeeding is that much greater because this is something they have been doing for a while," she said.
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