Getting Prepared to Apply

Here's what you can do to prepare: 

  • Complete your FAFSA
    After completing your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), you will receive the FAFSA Submission Summary (FSS). This provides comprehensive view of a college student’s financial need and is something every student who is seeking financial aid should have. 
  • Fill Out the Activities and Achievements Form
    Document your extracurricular activities, volunteer work, honors, and accomplishments using the Activities and Achievements form. Having this ready before applications open will save you time and strengthen your submission. 
  • Write a Personal Essay
    Most Pittsburgh Foundation scholarships require a personal essay. Drafting a strong, thoughtful essay ahead of time means you will be ready to apply as soon as applications open. Here are some standard essay questions to help you prepare: 
    1. What are your specific educational plans and career goals and why? What inspires you to achieve those goals?
    2. Thinking of your service to your family or community, what service has meant the most to you and why?
    3. Describe an accomplishment in your life and the strengths and skills it required. If you experienced a hardship, how did you respond and what did you learn about yourself?
    4. Describe the impact that this scholarship would have for you.
       
  • Get Transcripts Ready
    Transcripts are required for most scholarships. If you are a high school senior, you will need to attach your high school transcripts. If you are already attending higher education and have attained more than 18 credits, you will need to attach your college/university transcripts. If you have attained fewer than 18 credits, you will need to attach transcripts from high school and college/university. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable.
     
  • Obtain Letter(s) of Recommendation
    A good letter of recommendation can often tip the scales in favor of the student; however, many letters are canned templates and offer nothing additional to the student’s profile than simply demonstrating that they are able to check off a to-do item. Unfortunately, this lackluster letter writing often reveals more about the person writing the letter than the student.
  • Search for Scholarship Eligibility
    Not all scholarships are the same. Use the scholarship search tool to find opportunities that match your background, interests and field of study before the application window opens in January. 


Have more questions about applying? Take a look at our Scholarship FAQs.