b'55Managing Your ScholarshipsCongratulations, you have successfully earneda scholarship, or multiple scholarships. Follow these next steps:Paying for CollegeFirst, it is important that you have all the detailsof your scholarship. Is it a one time award,or is it renewable? Are there grade point averagerequirements to maintain the scholarship?Next, you need to know when the scholarship funds will be dispersed. Will the scholarship be sent directly to you, or will it be sent directly to the college?Follow-up with your colleges financial aid officeAmari Jackson to ensure that the scholarship is applied to theappropriate semester and costs that it is meantS-STEM Scholarship Recipient to defer.George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science, Class of 2022 Finally, you want to do an assessment of yourWest Chester University, Class of 2026 financial aid package relative to your scholarship I received a scholarship called the S-STEMaward. In order to avoid scholarship displacement (Scholarships in Science, Technology, (when receipt of a private scholarship leads toEngineering, and Mathematics), through a reduction in other forms of financial aid), makeWest Chester University. S-STEM is a national sure that you speak to your colleges financial aidorganization so this scholarship exists atoffice to discuss how earning the scholarshipother schools as well. One of my high schoolwill impact your overall aid package. If you haveteachers connected me with the director ofconcerns about scholarship displacement,the WCU S-STEM program and we were ableyou can also speak with the scholarship providerto talk on Zoom about my application andto discuss your options.how to strengthen it as much as possible.To apply, I had to write two essays aboutwhy I wanted to join the program and how Thank You Lettersmy participation would benefit other studentsSend thank you letters to the organizations fromin the program. I got lots of support in writingwhich you receive scholarships. The letters should my essays because I was in the Temple demonstrate an appreciation for the time andUniversity Upward Bound program. Theconsideration of your application, and includeS-STEM has greatly impacted my financial situationit covers up to $9,000 per schoola mention of how the scholarship will positivelyyear for any school-related costs, and offersimpact your college experience. You can find example a $4,000 stipend in the summer after myscholarship thank you letters at media.illinois.edu/second and third years while I participate inscholarship-thank-you-letters. Remember to also a 8-week research program. I combined thesend a thank you note to anyone who wroteS-STEM with federal grants and state grants,a letter of recommendation for your scholarshipand did not have to pay a single penny myapplications. All letters should feel personal.freshman year. Going into my sophomore year, my costs did rise a little bit so I tookout a loan, but thankfully it was a relatively small amount.'