General Scholarship Application Information This scholarship is provided by the American Legion Riders of Post 848 in San Jacinto, California. It is to be awarded to a Veteran of the United States Military who has received an Honorable (or Medical) discharge. Preference will be given to veterans who resided in the San Jacinto Valley. The scholarship will be in the amount of $500.00 per semester for a total awarded scholarship of $1,000.00 per academic year. The recipient must be enrolled at Mt. San Jacinto College as a full-time student (12 units) each semester to receive their scholarship funds. The scholarship may be renewed after completing 24 college units with a 2.0 grade point average. Renewal of the scholarship will require applicant to fill out a new scholarship application each year. 2
Scholarship Application Requirements: Complete the American Legion Riders Post 848 Scholarship application typed or neatly printed in ink. Be a veteran, with an Honorable discharge (medical discharges accepted). Attach a copy of your DD-214 Be enrolled in 12 units per semester with a 2.0 GPA. Attach three (3) current letters of recommendations, preferable on letterhead address to the Selection Committee. These recommendations should include length of time the evaluator has known the applicant and in what capacity, character, personal attributes, and potential for academic or vocational success that you may have. Attach a copy of MSJC or other College Transcripts. If you are not currently enrolled at MSJC, complete a MSJC Application for Admission Online form at www.msjc.edu/ and click on apply for admission. Your Application for Admission must be in the college s admission database for you to be considered for a scholarship. Respond to the following essay questions: 1. Adversity/Challenges: Describe any adversity or challenges you have overcome or anticipate in pursuit of your educational goals. 2. Major/Goals: Describe why you selected your major area of study and your future academic and career goals. Turn in your completed application with the supporting documentation to the Foundation Office on or before the deadline of February 20, 2015. Financial need may be considered in determining eligibility. It must be emphasized that eligibility for scholarships is mainly based on your ability to meet scholastic and other criteria as set forth by the scholarship donors. The information you supply on your scholarship application is recognized by the college to be confidential and you agree that the college may reveal or forward the contents of your application to the Mt. San Jacinto College Foundation scholarship committee members and/or other reviewing committees. Any disclosure of confidential information associated with any application to individuals not directly associated with the evaluation process is prohibited. 3
Tips on Applying For a Scholarship 1. Treat your Scholarship Hunt as a Job. The more time and planning you invest in your job, the more money you will make. 2. Apply Early. The sooner you start researching and preparing for your scholarship campaign, the more money you will make. If you organize well, you will be able to easily apply to all those programs that you are qualified for. Get started well before your school applications are submitted. 3. Organize your Search. This is the first key to success. There are scholarships everywhere, but finding them and deciding which ones to apply for is a daunting task. Use a spreadsheet and bookmarking service to keep track and make notes on the different opportunities. 4. Make Sure you are Qualified. You can waste a lot of time by ignoring the fine print. There are so many scholarships available, you need to identify those that match your strengths and spend the time on the ones that offer you the best chance of success. 5. Don t assume you are Not Qualified. If you don t have a 4.0 average and don t play sports, you still may qualify for 10002s of other scholarships. Scholarships are based on your background, hobbies and interests, financial need, location, your major, your job, and a myriad of other criteria. 6. Scholarship Contests & Sweepstakes. There are a number of companies that give away scholarships to generate leads for colleges. Don t overlook these opportunities. It is similar to a lottery, but you don t spend a nickel. Spend several minutes completing a form with contact information and you can win $10,000. They will send you some information which may be helpful, but you can unsubscribe if it is not. 7. Bigger is Not Always Better. You actually may have a better chance applying for smaller scholarships since many students overlook them. Remember that 10 $500 awards are the same as a $5000 scholarship. 8. Mark the Deadlines. The easiest way to lose the scholarship is to miss the application date. Mark your mailing deadlines on a calendar and be sure to complete your application well before this date. 9. Inventory your Personal Information and Accomplishments. This is a onetime effort that will save a lot of time. Summarize your career and education goals, your extracurricular and community activities, your job history, your educational history, and any other accomplishments. Include dates, awards, and references. You can easily cut and paste this information to save a lot of time. 4
Tips on Applying For a Scholarship 10. Be Honest. Don t exaggerate your grades or accomplishments. This will surely come back and bite you since most scholarship committees will check these items before sending the money. Complete the application yourself. 11. Write the Essay. We all have heard of and experienced Writers Block. The best way to get thought this is to sit down and write. Of course, you need to spend some time analyzing what is wanted and organizing your thoughts, but the bottom line is the more essays you can write, the more college money you can score. 12. You can score. 13. Proofread your Application. After you spend all this time applying, you don t want your application trashed because you forgot to include an item, or you made a glaring typo. Get a parent or teacher to read your application. 14. Complete the entire scholarship application (Available at www.msjc.edu/scholarships) 15. Respond to all essay questions in type written essay format. Tips on Writing an Essay 1. Your essay should say something meaningful about yourself. 2. Complete the following essay questions: Major/Goals: describe why you selected your major area of study and your future academic and career goals. Adversity/Challenges: describe any adversity or challenges you may 5
American Legion Riders Post 848 Scholarship Application Personal Information Name: LAST FIRST MIDDLE Current Mailing Address: NUMBER STREET APT.# CITY Zip Phone Number: ( ) Birth Date: MSJC I.D #: Social Security #: High School Attended: Name of High School State Graduation Date Branch of Military Years in the Military Colleges attended other than Mt. San Jacinto College Name of College Units Dates Cumulative GPA 6
FINANCIAL STATEMENT Financial need is a criterion for the MSJC Community Foundation Scholarship. This form must be completed for you to be considered for financial need based scholarships. It is essential that this form reflect a true picture of your household finances. Report all income in yearly figures (monthly x 12) for the calendar year 2014. Income information for 2014 APPLICANT S HOUSEHOLD SIZE (Please do not include roommates) ANNUAL HOUSEHOLD INCOME Note: indicate income received for the calendar year 2014 only APPLICANT S/SPOUSE S INCOME (if applicant currently married) Income/wages $ (student) $ (spouse) Child support received $ (student) $ (spouse) Alimony received $ (student) $ (spouse) Social Security $ (student) $ (spouse) Military housing (benefit amount) $ (student) $ (spouse) Other income $ (student) $ (spouse) PARENTS INCOME (if applicant under 24 and unmarried) This information must be included even if you do not live with your parents Income/wages $ Child support received $ Alimony received $ Social Security $ Military housing 7
COLLEGE EDUCATIONAL GOAL MSJC Educational Goal: A.A. Degree Certificate Transfer MAJOR ADMIN OF JUSTICE ENGINEERING PHILOSOPHY ANTHROPOLOGY ENGLISH PHOTOGRAPHY ART ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE PHYSICAL ED. ASTRONOMY GEOGRAPHY PHYSICS AUTO TECHNOLOGY HEALTH SCIENCE POLITICAL SCIENCE BIOLOGY HISTORY PSYCHOLOGY BUSINESS LIC. VOC. NURSING SOCIOLOGY CHEMISTRY MATHEMATICS TEACHING COMPUTER SCIENCE MUSIC THEATRE ARTS ECONOMICS NUTRITION OTHER (SPECIFY) ELECTRONICS REGISTERED NURSING Expected Date of Graduation from Mt. San Jacinto College: Month Year Do you already have an Associate s Degree (A.S. or A.A.)? Yes No 8
ESSAY Major/Goals Responses must be typed Use a separate page if needed (Attach to your completed scholarship form) Describe why you selected your major area of study and your future academic and career goals. 9
ESSAY ADVERSITY AND CHALLENGES Responses must be typed (Attach to your completed scholarship form) Describe any adversity or challenges that you have overcome in your pursuit of your educational goals and what challenges you may face on your educational journey 10
STUDENT CERTIFICATION I certify that all information given in this application and other documents is true and complete to the best of my knowledge. If asked by an authorized official of MSJC, I agree to give proof of income, which may include a copy of my (and spouse s) and/or parent s 2014 U.S. Income Tax Return. I also realize that any false statement or failure to give proof of income when asked may be cause to the denial of my scholarship application. I understand that the information requested on this application is confidential. I authorize Mt. San Jacinto College to release enrollment and financial data to scholarship donor(s). The Mt. San Jacinto College Foundation may use the information I have provided for publicity purposes. Print Name Applicant s Signature Date Decisions of the scholarship committees are final. Eligibility does not guarantee a scholarship. 11
MSJC Units Completed Total Units Completed FINANCIAL STATEMENT FOR OFFICE USE ONLY Other Institutional Units Spring 2015 Units Cost of Attendance 2015/2016 $ Awarded Financial Aid for 2015/2016 $ Eligible for Financial Aid Yes No If no, reason why Unmet Need: $ 12
Scholarship Application and your supporting documentation should be mailed or turned into the Foundation Office on or before the deadline of February 20, 2015 at 12:00 noon. Mt. San Jacinto College Foundation Office 1499 N. State Street San Jacinto, Ca. 92583 If you should have any question please contact Lesia Navarro at (951) 487-3170 or by email at lnavarro@msjc.edu 13