Category: #SeniorsCorner

Posted on

It’s The Final Countdown!

Calling all Build A Better Future Scholarship applicants! We are just a few days away from our submission deadline for scholarship applications. You’ve worked hard on your projects, made great impacts in your communities, and now it’s time to turn it over to us! 

Before you hit that final “submit” button, here’s a few reminders for you:

  • Make sure you have gathered all the necessary contact information that is required on the application. This includes names, phone numbers, AND email addresses!
  • Take a few minutes to proofread your application. Does it all make sense? Are there any spelling or other grammatical errors to be fixed? Is contact information entered correctly?
  • You must have A MINIMUM of 5 photos relating to your project– possible photo submissions could include photos of prototypes, photos of you interacting with those involved with your project, photos of final products, etc. You are welcome to submit more than 5 photos.
  • You must include a 2-5 minute video that meets the following criteria:
    • Include examples of your work in action (photos, video clips, etc.)
    • Include a few words directly from you regarding your project (can be a voice-over)
    • Include 1-3 brief interviews with people you are working with
      • You must address the following questions:
    • What would you improve with more time?
    • What new skills or concepts have you acquired?
    • What have you learned about yourself based on the experience?
  • CHECK YOUR SHARE SETTINGS! Double (maybe even triple or quadruple) check that your photos and video(s) are viewable by outside sources. We cannot admire your amazing work if your share settings are set to private. Failure to properly upload your photos and videos will likely lead to disqualification. Don’t let that happen to you! 
  • Lastly, take a minute and breathe. Reflect on your hard work and what you’ve learned. Pat yourself on the back and congratulate yourself on a job well done!

You can find more information, including submission links, by clicking here.

We are excited to read through applications, and can hardly wait to see all of the amazing projects that have been done! 

**All applications are due no later than Monday, April 13 at 11:59 MST.**

Posted on

Proofreading: Worth the Time

We are a mere 10 days away from the deadline for our Build A Better Future Scholarship applications! We are eager to read submissions, and have enjoyed reading those that have come in already. As we get closer to the submission deadline, I’ve been sharing some application tips and reminders so your final submission can be as perfect as possible. You can see the last few reminders here, here, and here.

Today’s tip is to make sure you proofread your application before you hit that ‘submit’ button. Read over your application several times. Have someone else look it over– sometimes a fresh pair of eyes will catch errors that you might miss. 

Make sure you are checking your application for the following things:

  • Spelling errors
  • Capitalization errors
  • Missed punctuation or unnecessary punctuation
  • Flow- be sure your paragraphs flow well, make sense, and are cohesive
  • Correct grammar
  • Email addresses and phone numbers are entered correctly
  • All photo and video links or uploads are viewable by outside sources
  • Answer the questions and prompts thoroughly, but make sure you don’t go over the allotted word count
  • Sentence structure– fix any run on sentences or incomplete sentences

Take the time to make your application reflect your hard work. Don’t rush through it. Will a misplaced comma or period disqualify you? No. Will a couple of misspelled words eliminate you from the running? No. But– applications that are polished and proofread do stand out, and we do notice the extra effort you’ve put in to make your submission as perfect as it can be. You’ve done so much work on your project already, so don’t skimp on the application! 

As a reminder, final submissions are due no later than Monday, April 13, 2026 at 11:59 pm, MST.

Posted on

Weekly Scholarship Tip: Collecting Contact Information

It’s time for this week’s scholarship tip! Can you believe we are a little more than two weeks away from the application deadline?! Now is the time to make sure you’ve got all the little details worked out, including collecting the necessary contact information we ask for on the application. We not only need your contact information, but also that of a few other important people. Prior to sitting down to fill out your application, make sure you have gathered the following information:

  • Your name and email address
  • The name and phone number of your current high school
  • The name of your high school’s registrar or secretary AND their email address
  • The name of your mentor, as well as their title (teacher, counselor, etc.), phone number AND email address

Your mentor must be someone who is directly involved with your project. That will look different for every project, but is typically a teacher, counselor, club advisor, religious leader, community member, and so forth. It should be someone who has helped you directly with the progress of your project. Usually a mentor is someone who is there to bounce ideas off of, guide you, provide resources and knowledge, and so on. 

Please make sure that all names are spelled correctly and that phone numbers and email addresses are accurate. We ask for your high school and registrar’s information so that we can verify you are indeed a graduating senior. We ask you to provide your mentor’s contact information so that we can check the validity of your project and learn more about you and the project from their perspective. 

We are so excited to learn all about the amazing projects you have been working on and the incredible ways you have impacted your community!

Posted on

Applying for Our Scholarship? Here’s Some Tips!

Attention all graduating seniors! If you are planning on applying for our Build A Better Future Scholarship, this is for you! The final deadline is exactly one month from today! Final applications are due by 11:59 pm MST on Monday, April 13, 2026. Once a week until then, I will be sharing some tips and reminders for you to consider as you get ready to submit your final application.

As you put your project into motion, don’t forget to document your process through pictures and videos! Take pictures of you in action, working on your project. If you have volunteers helping you, snap some pictures of them as they work. If you host any kind of meeting, presentation, workshop, or class, have someone take a short video of you as you do your thing. If your project includes collecting donations of items, don’t forget to take some pictures of the donations that come in. Then, remember to take a picture of you at the place where the donations are being taken. If you think you’ll want a picture of something, take the picture!

One of the requirements for the final application is that you include a minimum of 5-10 pictures of your project in action. We also have a requirement for a short 3-5 minute video to be included with your application. You can certainly put some of your pictures in your video, but we also require that pictures be submitted separately as well. You can find the requirements for the video in our Scholarship Checklist, which can be found at the bottom of this page.

Beyond meeting the requirements for the final submission, having picture and video documentation of your project will provide you with lifelong mementos of the time you spent serving your community, and that is a priceless reminder of time well spent.

Scholarship-Checklist-2Download
Posted on

Final Reminder: Strategy Plan Deadline

We are just a few days away from the Strategy Plan deadline! Remember, this form is NOT required, but is simply a way for you to get feedback on your project prior to the final submission in April. The Strategy Plan is due by Monday, March 9, 2026 at 11:59 pm MST. You can click here to access the Strategy Plan.

As a reminder, the deadline for final application submissions is Monday, April 13, 2026 at 11:59 pm MST. All requirements, FAQs, and other information about the scholarship can be found on our website.

We are looking forward to reading about all of the amazing projects you’ve been working on!

Posted on

Scholarship Cover Letters: Some Tips and Tricks

My niece is a junior in high school, and is already starting to look into scholarship opportunities, college applications, and so on. A few days ago, she asked me if I could help her with scholarship cover letters. I jumped at the chance to help her. She wasn’t sure where to even start, so we set out to create a basic outline that she could use as she moves forward with applications. 

It got me thinking, though: how many other college-bound high school students are in her same boat? How many of these bright young people want to apply for scholarships, but don’t know where to start or how to format such a letter? I’m sure there are enough in this position that it would be helpful if English teachers could include in their curriculum a short unit teaching students how to properly write a scholarship cover letter. It wouldn’t need to take up too many class periods, but it would be very helpful to those needing the assistance. 

While I can’t be in every English classroom teaching this, I can write about it on the Internet for all to have access to! Each scholarship application will be different, and not all will require a cover letter. Additionally, not all that do require a cover letter will require the same content. Be sure to carefully read over the requirements for each scholarship as you begin the application process. 

That being said, a general outline could look something like this:

Your name, address, and contact information

Name, address, and contact information for the scholarship committee

Date

Dear Scholarship Board (or name of a specific person if it is listed),

Gratitude for the opportunity to apply

I appreciate the opportunity to apply for the ___________________ scholarship. I am interested in this scholarship because __________________________.

What qualifies you for this scholarship? What sets you apart from other applicants?

  • This will vary depending on the kind of scholarship you are applying for.
  • Academic scholarships: highlight your academic achievements, grades, awards, GPA, and so on.
  • Athletic scholarships: showcase your athletic abilities, awards, records set, and so on. 
  • Specific niche scholarships: identify what specifically you offer in regards to the kind of scholarship you are applying for. 

Why would this scholarship benefit you?

  • Will this ease the financial burden that paying for college can be?
  • Will this allow you to focus more on your studies rather than worrying about how to pay for school?
  • Will these funds allow you to pursue a degree in a meaningful and impactful field?

Closing

  • Re-express your gratitude for the chance to apply.
  • Express that you are looking forward to hearing from the committee soon.

Best Regards,

Your Name

A scholarship cover letter doesn’t need to be super fancy, and it doesn’t need to go into every single detail telling about how you qualify for the scholarship, but it should be well written, well thought out, and clear and concise. You want to make a good impression with your cover letter, as that is usually the first thing the committee will see when reviewing your application. Take your time, think it out, and don’t be afraid to ask for help!

Posted on

Strategy Plan Deadline

It might feel like Spring is a long way off, but it will be here before we know it! I always look forward to Spring– the warmer temperatures, blossoms on trees, and flowers in bloom. Spring also brings us closer to our Build A Better Future Scholarship application deadline!

This is a reminder to all graduating seniors who are planning to apply for our scholarship. We offer the chance to get feedback on your project prior to the final application submission. Applicants can fill out an OPTIONAL Strategy Plan where they can tell a bit about their project and process and ask any questions they might have.

This is not required, and does not at all influence our decision when it comes time to choose the scholarship winners. It is simply an opportunity for applicants to ask questions and get feedback should they need it.

You can find the form here, and the deadline for this form is due March 9, 2026.