• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Donate
  • Partners
  • Sponsor
  • Volunteer
  • Press Release
The Village Method Logo
  • Home
  • About
    • TVM Board
    • History
    • Our Programs
    • Contact Us
  • ScholarPrep Nation
  • Get Involved!
    • Local Resources
    • Testimonials
      • Submit A Testimonial
    • Donate
    • Volunteer
      • Internship
    • Partners
    • Sponsor
  • Events
    • Photo Gallery
      • Video Gallery
    • Summit
  • Blog

Jasmine Powers

Scholarship Application Checklist: 5 Things To Do To Get Started

July 17, 2020 By Jasmine Powers

We’re halfway through summer and there is no better time than now to begin your scholarship search. Still, getting started could be intimidating, especially if you don’t have a clear scope of what you need to do and when to do it. To help you with the process, here are five things you need to do right now.

1. Create a list of scholarship opportunities. 

Before you embark on any plan, you need to have a clear goal and course of action in mind.

Read more about SMART goals on 5 Tips on Setting Goals to Find Scholarships now live in the ScholarPrep Nation app!

Before you start your first application, have a clear goal in mind for the number of scholarship dollars you would like to receive, but also the organizations that are granting them. Get started by searching online, talking to your counselor, and talking to friends and family to see if they belong to special interest groups that may have a scholarship program. 

Once you have your list, it’s time to go!

2. Choose your school and area of study

Not only will making a decision on your school options and area of study help guide your pathway, but it will also help you to fill out your scholarship application, and can even help you identify opportunities that are related to your college and major. 

3. Start asking for letters of recommendation

Don’t wait until you’re applying for a scholarship to try to get a good letter of recommendation. Now is a good time to reach out to a trusted teacher, boss, volunteer coordinator or another person in a position of authority who is familiar with you, your work ethic, and achievements. By starting early, you give yourself a chance to find the right person and to have your letters of recommendation ready to go when you’re ready to start the scholarship application process.

4. Get several copies of your transcripts

Depending on the process of your particular school or district, obtaining a copy of your transcripts could take some time. To get a few copies of your transcripts to include in all of your scholarship packages, go to your registrar, counselor, or another responsible party to request your transcripts early. 

5. Start reviewing other scholarship requirements

Each scholarship application is different. Whereas is it common to see a request for a cover letter, essay, and financial information, you may be required to provide other information for consideration. We’ve seen requests for entrance exam scores, interviews with scholarship committee members, and proof of belonging to a specific protected class. By having a grasp of what each application requires, you give yourself enough time to prepare that information.

This scholarship application checklist can help you to start early on finding funding for your higher education. Of course, applying for scholarships is only one part of your college entry process. To prepare yourself mentally and academically for your college journey, please join ScholarPrep Nation where we’ve brought together a village of people and resources that will help you along the way.

Filed Under: Academic Excellence, ScholarPrep Nation Tagged With: getting ready for college., how to apply for scholarships, scholarships, where to find scholarships

The Village Method Launches Afrocentric College-Access App That Provides Culturally Affirming Educational Resource for 8-12th Graders

July 7, 2020 By Jasmine Powers

Wednesday, July 1, 2020 – Bay area nonprofit, The Village Method, known for its cultural and educational youth enrichment programs has launched ScholarPrep Nation (SPN), a national college-access network to serve a primary audience of 8-12th graders.

SPN provides students with a virtual “village” of peers, parents, educational consultants, counselors, school administrators, and college recruiters. The platform grants students access to courses, monthly presentations from educational consultants, and access to regularly programmed interactive summits. The platform allows all subscribers to create profiles, participate in forum discussions, and interact with other members through private messaging. The content and engagement opportunities within the platform provide the relationships and information that students need for a successful college experience.

SPN stands apart from other college-access resources by providing a relational and Afrocentric environment that affirms students. Additionally, it confronts the problems of children getting lost during their academic journey, parents who are ill-equipped to help their children, overworked counselors, and Black youth suffering because of inadequacies of the public educational system. With SPN, these very preventable and solvable issues are met, to the success of students’ futures.

Hear from Mahea and Mark Gaskins, the founders of The Village Method and ScholarPrep Nation about the platform and how it will support the needs of the young people needing this unique learning environment!

To subscribe to the platform and access it’s educational content and community, visit scholarprepnation.org.

Filed Under: Academic Excellence, Village Method Tagged With: Afrocentric, Afrocentric education program, college, college prep, college-access network

Primary Sidebar

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel

Testimonials

It takes a village

The Village Method (TVM) is dedicated to teaching our children not only how to manage their academic success but how to make good life decisions through knowledge and love for our rich African history. I am proud to be a part of The Village Method!

Impressed with TVM Leadership

“I volunteered for the better part of a school year with TVM. I was really impressed by the TVM leadership; their continued commitment and drive to have the program succeed was inspirational. (The only reason I’m not continuing as a volunteer is because I moved out of the area.) I thoroughly enjoyed my time working… Read full testimonial “Impressed with TVM Leadership”

TVM Can’t Stop

“Can’t tell you how much this community means to us! TVM is great for our son, but it means as much (if not more) to our family. This can’t stop! Thank you Mahea and Mark for being the change” 
– Parent of Seventh Grade TVM Scholar

From being immature to a proud young scholar

7th Grade TVM Scholars

“The Village Method teaches us to be an awesome scholar not just in class but for the whole community. TVM also helps us to turn from being immature to a proud young scholar.” Seventh Grade TVM Scholar

The Village Method is a place for Black people

TVM Scholars

“The Village Method is a place for Black people where we have the freedom to express ourselves, go on field trips, learn about our culture, and practice stepping formations.” — Sixth Grade TVM Scholar

The Village Method is a Family

“The Village Method is a family and we are learning about one another so that we can see that we are alike even though we are not related and we are also a team”  — Seventh Grade TVM Scholar

Informative and Fun Family Night

“Thank you Mark and Mahea for organizing such an informative and fun family night! I loved listening and seeing The Village Method students speak and present to the audience. It was also great to see them being recognized for their various achievements. I also enjoyed hearing from other members of the community…” –Parent of Sixth… Read full testimonial “Informative and Fun Family Night”

The Village Method is a Beautiful Thing

“Your program is a beautiful thing! I am thoroughly impressed.”  –Father of a Seventh Grade TVM Scholar

The Village Method at Alvarado Middle School

“I really appreciate Mr. and Mrs. Gaskins bring The Village Method to Alvarado Middle School. My daughter is enjoying it immensely!” –Parent of a Sixth Grade TVM Scholar

TVM Gives Hands on Experience

My son’s favorite subjects in school are Math and Science and it’s great that The Village Method includes programs that introduces him to hands on experience. They include coding, trips to UC Berkeley, and guest speakers that work in STEM fields.” –Parent of Seventh grade TVM Scholar

Get In Touch!

(510) 470-1721

info@thevillagemethod.org

Quick Links

About

Local Community Resources

Our Programs

Sponsor

About Us

The Village Method is a nonprofit 501(c)3 grassroots organization dedicated to creating a united community that is invested in the success of its youth and families.

© 2021 The Village Method. All Rights Reserved. Design by TWK Web and Print Design