Application now open!
Deadline: February 28, 2025
What You Will Need (and How to Get It)
FAFSA
This step is optional, however, many of the applications consider financial need which requires completion of the FAFSA. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid online. Once you have completed your application you will receive an SAI (Student Aid Index) on the first page of your Submission Summary. This can take 5 to 10 days to process so be sure not to wait until the last minute on this step.
References
Scholarships may request contact information for 1-3 references from teachers, community members, supervisors, coaches, etc. Speak with each of your potential references beforehand to ask if they are willing to be a positive reference for you. If they agree, be sure to obtain their email address to include in your application.
Note: The same reference(s) can be used for many if not all of the scholarships you are applying for. You will most likely need 1 to 3, although there are a few students who will need more. You will not submit more than 5 in any situation.
Portfolio
A portfolio will only be needed if you are applying for art scholarships. AwardSpring only allows you to upload one file. Compile a collection of your art to be submitted. The best way to do this is to create a free website or video that showcases your art. You can then upload a text document listing the URL or if you plan to upload large or multiple files you will need to compress them into a .zip file to be able to submit and keep files together.
Application Checklist
1. Register
When the application window opens, register on the Sisters GRO Scholarship Application Website. The first time you log in you will need to create a new account by clicking on 'Don't have an account? Register!' at the bottom of the white box on the login page. We recommend that you use your personal (NOT ssd6.org) email address when you register so that we may contact you after graduation to send you funds for scholarship awards received.
Detailed .pdf with AwardSpring instructions
2. Complete the General Application
The General Application has five sections (General Information, Academic Information, Financial Information, Qualifications and Short Answer Questions) that determine the scholarships that you will be eligible to apply for moving forward. Be sure to pay close attention to the details and fill everything in as best you can with what you know today. Once all tabs are complete click 'Submit Application.'
3. Complete Scholarship Specific Questions
Review the list of scholarships that you are eligible for and select those that you want to complete. You have the option to apply for all of the scholarships that you are eligible for, although you certainly don't have to. Scholarships may ask for things such as a shared essay question (only answered one time by you but shared across scholarships,) a scholarship specific essay question, a recommendation from a teacher, employer, or other mentor, an art portfolio upload.
4. Congrats!
If you have no more follow up items than you have applied to all possible scholarships. In late April you will receive an invitation to the Senior Celebration, the scholarship award ceremony that takes place in May, where you will find out which scholarships you've been awarded.