Applying for scholarships can feel overwhelming. Luckily for ACC students, Austin Community College District (ACC) makes scholarship applications a breeze. It’s just one application, and our team will identify scholarship opportunities for you.
Here’s what you need to know about applying for an ACC scholarship and writing the personal statement (scholarship essay) that goes with it.
The ACC Scholarship Program
The ACC Foundation and other community organizations have put up more than 100 scholarship opportunities for ACC students. You can take a look at the vast range of scholarships here.
Some scholarships are program-specific, some are aimed at students of a particular background, and many others are a way to give all students a hand up during their college education.
One in four ACC students who submit a scholarship application receives scholarship money—how cool is that! The average award is between $1,000 and $2,000, which will go a long way toward your costs each semester.
If you are a scholarship recipient, ACC will apply those funds directly to your tuition and fees, drastically cutting your college costs.
The Personal Statement Scholarship Essay
If you’re like many students, it’s the essay portion of the application that takes the most time and thought.
You might ask yourself: What do I write about? How do I make myself stand out? What if I don’t get the best grades?
A personal statement is just a way for the ACC team to match you with possible scholarships. It’s only 250-500 words, and it’s an opportunity to talk about who you are, what you’re studying and why, and what you hope to accomplish, whether that’s in your first year at ACC or after you graduate.
Here’s how to write one.
Step One. Give Yourself Time to Think
So you’ve completed your application and added any letters of recommendation, resumes, or awards you’ve received, if you have them. Now, you face the essay. Instead of plunging into the first paragraph, think about the process. What did the application ask for? How did you answer the questions?
Personal essays are usually about first jobs, volunteering, lessons learned, and your goals for college or the future. Focus on one of these topics. You don’t need to have all of these elements in your essay.
You just need one topic that you feel paints a picture of what you’re all about.
Step Two. Make a List
Now that you have a topic, jot down any thoughts you have about it. You don’t need a lot of ideas. One or two will be fine to start.
Step Three. Connect the Dots
Take your list from step two and play around with how they connect with one another. Maybe that makes you think of another connection, and another. Maybe it doesn’t. Some people find that using a note-taking app on their phone is a good way to get their thoughts out and in order.
Step Four. Write–but don’t edit!
Writers have all sorts of names for the first draft, but they all agree, the first draft is supposed to be messy. It’s rough. The point of the first draft is just to get ideas down in a form that will be edited later. After you have your first draft, step away from the page.
Step Five. Edit
This is where you edit your essay using spellcheck and grammar tools. You can also have a trusted friend or family member look it over, or make an appointment with the tutors in the Learning Lab. They can help you make sure the draft is as polished and readable as possible.
Congratulations! You’ve written your scholarship essay.
Things to Note
ACC’s Scholarship Application deadline is May 1 for priority consideration. This means that the sooner you submit your application, the better the chance you have at winning a scholarship. Scholarships are awarded and applied to fall tuition, so you have plenty of time to register for classes, fill out the FAFSA, and prepare for classes.
Even if you don’t get a scholarship this time, you can reapply each academic year. And keep in mind that ACC has many ways to help you pay for college, so you can make the most of your college experience.
Applying for a college scholarship can be stressful. At ACC, we make it as streamlined as possible. We hope these tips help you get one step closer to saving money on your college goals.
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