Grants & Scholarships
Monday, November 2, 2009
ELECTRONIC APPLICATIONSThis is the second year the Community Foundation will accept electronic scholarship applications. Last year, it was totally optional; students could either submit a paper application or an electronic application. This year, we'll still accept paper, but at the same time are
'strongly urging' electronic applications.
After last year's experience, we're confident that this is shift is a good thing. Students seem to love the online application. They have more flexibility and don't ever have to bother with stamps, envelopes or the post office. We in the office like it; it's more efficient, with less chance for data entry error. And our scholarship committees love it; the electronic applications are put on our password-protected website so committee members can do their review whenever and wherever they like. And finally, it's the wave of the future.
The only catch is - with an online application, you need a computer to complete and submit it. Realizing that scholarships are to designed to help kids and the kids who need the most help may not have a computer, the question is "Are we creating a hurdle for the people we are specifically trying to help?" We don't think so. Talking with counselors and teachers, we know that students have plenty of access to computers - in school, at libraries and elsewhere.
But the question still remains, so to address it even further, we have set up a computer station here at the Community Foundation for students who want to come in and work on their applications. It's nothing special, just a computer in a cubicle, but students should feel free to come in and spend as much time as necessary (during business hours) filling out the form and writing the
perfect essay. We just need to know when you want to come. Either call (218-726-0232) or use the
contact us link on our website to request some time on the scholarship computer.
posted by ScholarshipOfficer
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