SalesHQ

Three Easy Steps to Finding a Sales Scholarship…...PLUS Five Great Scholarships to Get You Started

Step 1. Find Schools You Want to Attend

Most colleges and universities offer fantastic scholarships. So the BEST way to search for scholarships is to narrow the list to include only those schools you’d most like to attend, then research their awards and financial aid options. Many scholarships from corporations and nonprofits also require detailed information about your academic plans, so it pays to decide where to apply before you ramp up your scholarship search.

Begin researching programs of study on SalesHQ now.

Step 2. Search for Scholarships

Many organizations and businesses offer scholarships for Bachelor’s and advanced degrees. Look into the following organizations, both in your area and nationally.

• Professional associations
• Your employer (Employee Based Awards)
• Scholarship-focused nonprofits
• Large corporations (Pepsi, Xerox, etc.)
• Foundations (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, etc.)
• Unions
• Advocacy and political organizations
• Religious organizations
• Social/community clubs and organizations
• Service organizations (Rotary, Elks, etc.)

Scholarship criteria vary widely. Some scholarships are earmarked for students pursuing specific careers; others may be regional, designated for applicants from a particular state or county. Typically, organizations and schools may offer scholarships to students who meet a set of criteria, which could include:

• Demonstrated commitment to community service or volunteer work
• Commitment to pursue a valued career, academic, or research interest
• Learning or physical disabilities
• Demonstrated commitment to fine arts or performing arts
• Demonstrated athletic achievement and talent
• Economic need
• Underrepresented minority group
• Student is a gender minority in their field of interest (Ex: male nurses)
• Birthplace (for students from a particular city, state, or country)
• Student is the first to go to college in their family
• Contest / essay contest winner
• Going back to school; single parent
• High academic achievement
• High standardized test scores

A good strategy is to determine the types of scholarships you may be eligible for and search specifically for those.

Which area(s) might you qualify under?

Here are some hand-picked scholarships that will get you started on your search:

1. American Marketing Association Foundation Robert J. Lavidge Nonprofit Marketing Research Scholarship Nonprofit marketing professionals with an interest in furthering their marketing research education are eligible to receive these scholarships for tuition and related expenses. Applications must be received by July 20. http://www.themarketingfoundation.org/hammill.html

2. Business & Professional Women Career Advancement Scholarships Program Amount: varies The BPW Foundation established the Career Advancement Scholarship Program to provide financial assistance to disadvantaged women seeking to further their education. Scholarships are provided to women who wish to advance in their careers, or are soon to enter or re-enter the workforce. The Foundation has awarded more than $6 million in scholarships, grants, and loans to over 8,000 women seeking to improve their lives. http://www.bpwusa.org/i4a/pages/Index.cfm?pageid=3381

3 National Black MBA Association Scholarship Programs Amount: varied Several scholarships are available for undergraduate and graduate students. http://www.nbmbaa.org/scholarship_programs.cfm#under

4. National Business Association Scholarship Program Amount: $1,500 Scholarships Availbale: 10 Those eligible to apply for the NBA scholarships are high school seniors, college freshmen, sophomores and juniors who are dependent sons and daughters of NBA dues-paying Members. These are one-year awards and are not based on financial need. The scholarship will be applied to educational expenses at accredited, non-profit colleges, universities or vocational/technical schools in the United States. NOTE: The parents of the applicants must still be NBA Members at the time the winners are selected in April. http://www.nationalbusiness.org/NBAWEB/scholarship.htm

5. FastWeb and Dell “Why I Deserve A Scholarship” Contest Amount: $4,000 The FastWeb and Dell “Why I Deserve A Scholarship” Contest is open to students 15 years of age or older who are either currently enrolled in an accredited college/university or will graduate from high school in Spring2008. To be eligible for this contest, you must submit a video explaining why you deserve a scholarship. Additionally, you must be a legal resident of the 50 United States or District of Columbia

Click here to download a list of even more scholarship offers

Step 3. Apply for Lots of Scholarships – Don’t be Shy

Finding scholarship programs can be a time-consuming process. Unfortunately, many students spend hours looking for a scholarship but fail to put an equal amount of effort into completing their application. The application is by far the most important part of your scholarship search; give it the time it deserves.

One last bit of advice: Double-check the scholarship requirements before you apply. After all, you want to be sure you are eligible before you apply. Write, call or e-mail the scholarship sponsor to ensure you have full details of application procedures and know what will be expected of the successful applicant. You can never have too much Information!

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