National Awards Applications: General Timeline

Three Months Before Deadline

General Scholarship Information

• Make an appointment to meet with Dean Craig Almeida (508-565-1840) or Kris Silva (508-5651325) to discuss the award. You will be in contact with them throughout the process.
• Begin to familiarize yourself with all award information online.
• If possible, create a file in a USB and a physical file folder to keep all your documents together; the more organized you are, the easier it will be to stay on track.

Essay

• Do some research on winning scholarship essays, using the web for information; many scholarship websites provide examples of winning essays.
• Your essay and personal statement should be creative and distinctive.

Letters of Recommendation

• Most scholarships require letters of recommendation from faculty, so it is critical that you begin establishing good relationships with your professors.
• Determine which of your professors would provide both credible and relevant testimony that is specific to the award to which you are applying.
• Reach out to your professors in person, if possible, about your intention to apply for a scholarship and explicitly ask if s/he is willing to provide a letter for you. You should include brief information about the scholarship and deadlines.

Resume

• Some scholarships require an updated resume
• Make an appointment with Career Services (508-565-1325) to ensure your resume is correct, professional and properly formatted.

Transcripts

• Some scholarships require an official transcript from all institutions you attended
• Review the process to request transcripts from all institutions
• At Stonehill, requests are made through the Registrar's office. Click here for the transcript request form. This request can take time, so make sure you request this well in advance of the deadline.

Two Months Before Deadline

General Scholarship Information

• At this point you should be very familiar with the scholarship requirements, so continue to add resources and information to your electronic (hardcopy optional) file that will assist you in successfully completing your application.
• Make sure to keep electronic copies of everything you do as the documents you have for this scholarship may serve for future reference.

Essay

• At this point you should have a good idea of how you’re going to approach your essay(s), so begin writing.
• Ask a faculty member who is knowledgeable in the subject about which you are writing to review the drafts.
• Make an appointment with Dean Almeida or Kris Silva to review your first draft.
• Continue to revise with feedback from your faculty advisor and Dean Almeida or Kris Silva.

Letters of Recommendation

• When you meet with your professors you must be prepared and dressed appropriately.
• Provide your professor with detailed information about the award.
• Facilitate the letter of recommendation process for your professor by either sending an email with all the recommendation requirements or printing out hard copies depending on what is more convenient for your professor.
• If you need to mail any letters of recommendation, please provide the referee with the address where the letter is to be mailed.
• Provide information about you that can assist them when writing your letter such as your resume, overall GPA, and a draft of your essay(s).

Resume

• Continue to review your resume and make appropriate changes

Transcripts

• Order your transcripts by submitting a completed transcript request form to the Registrar’s Office.

One Month Before Deadline

General Scholarship Information

• Start packaging all of the scholarship requirements in a folder or envelope with the appropriate number of copies required by the scholarship as well as an extra final copy for your reference. Be sure to keep electronic copies of everything. 
• Most submissions are now online, so you must pay attention to file formats and special restrictions related to font and spacing or page limits. 
• Remember that presentation is important. If you submit a sloppy application, readers will take notice. 

Essay

• Your essay(s) should be in the final stages.
• Email Dean Almeida (calmeida@stonehill.edu) and Kris Silva (ksilva@stonehill.edu) for a final review. 

Letters of Recommendation

• Letters of recommendation should be sent to Dean Almeida 2-3 weeks in advance of the deadline for review and feedback.

Resume

• Your resume should be ready. 
• If submitting a hard copy, use resume paper. 

Transcripts

• Your transcripts should be ready to be packaged into the application or sent electronically.  

One Week Before Deadline

• All of your documentation should be ready to submit. Carefully review the application instructions again and apply no later than three days before the application deadline date. 
• Email the final draft of your application to Dean Almeida and Kris Silva for their records.  
• Send a thank you note to each of your recommenders and any others who helped you with the application. Be sure to notify them whether or not you receive the award.