Scholarships are a team effort, but the student must do the work.

Parents complete the FAFSA (Student Federal Financial Aid forms) by January 1 of the student’s Senior year of high school and possibly each year they are in college. 

Parents are the editors, mentors and support, but should not do the applications for the students.  If the parent(s) complete the application, writes the essay(s) or follows-up with the scholarship committee/contact, the decision-makers will know and the opportunity (a.k.a. money) will be lost.

Do not be scammed!  The FAFSA and scholarship process is FREE.  Only schools may have application fees as a general rule and no one but you and your parents should be completing your tax information in the FAFSA.

Create or compile a scrapbook of every award certificate, accomplishment and science fair ribbon for your running resume and scholarship applications.  Every student should have a solid one-page resume and running resume before they start their scholarship applications.  The one-page resume should be formatted with great use of white space and solid content.

If your resume is not solid enough on content to get the money, identify your areas of need then join, attend and participate in new organizations available to you such as the Rogers County Cherokee Association or other local Cherokee community organization.

Review and discuss social media to ensure you are projecting a positive image.  Review all communication skills and tools.

Review and fix email.  No This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., for example.  Create a professional signature with legal name (no odd nicknames), mailing address, one phone number you always answer and one professional email address.  Ensure your email is set-up to show your legal name, as well.

Buy simple, professional Thank You notes and practice writing Thank You notes so you are ready when mom and dad are not there to assist you.

Research and practice ‘Behavioral Interviewing,' which should help you on essay answers.

Take college prep curriculum in 7th to 12th grade.  GPA transcript for 9th through 12th grade typically counts towards scholarships opportunities and college admittance.  Note, Oklahoma's High School graduation requirements do not prepare students for college or the ACT and SAT.

Create a solid, general recommendation letter draft for your personal network.

Sign-up for Cara’s email list for on-going scholarship opportunities.

Determine who your Recommendation Letter network targets are and if you need to work to broaden your network.  If not, seek out new relationships to earn new mentors or recommendation letters.

Set your college goals, so you know what your financial goals are for your scholarship search and application process.

Determine how your parents taxes will impact your FAFAS, for example an S Corp versus a C Corp.  Determine how your scholarship success might impact your parents tax brackets and money owed to IRS.

Take the ACT/SAT tests often and raise your score.  The last chance to take the ACT is December of your Senior year.  Goal should be minimum of 25 on ACT and 30 plus is going for the Gold or the big money.

Draft essays and practice.  Know essay writing before you get into the application process.

If you are unable to make it to the Rogers County Building at 416 South Brady in Claremore on November 1st from 1pm to 4pm, email me for the handouts.  Facebook messages, phone calls and text messages are not email.

To receive daily scholarship opportunities by email, email Cara your name, city and state at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. asked to be added to the OPC AISES listserv.

To receive Cherokee Nation daily news and event information by email, email Cara your name, city and state This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and ask to be added to the Cherokee Nation News listserv.

If you have questions, issues or concerns about the Cherokee Nation government, please email me This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or write me at P.O. Box 2922, Claremore, OK 74018. 

For daily news and event notices, ask to be added to my Cherokee Nation News and Events email listserv.  You may, also, find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, LinkedIn, Google+ and Twitter.  Lee Keener is at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

To contact the Tribe, call (918) 453-5000 or visit www.cherokee.org.

Cara Cowan Watts is an elected Tribal legislator within the Cherokee Nation for portions of Rogers and Tulsa Counties.

Cara Cowan Watts
caracowan.com

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