ChooseWhat Scholarship

If you are a qualifying student (see “who can apply” section below), you may submit a 750 to 1,500 word essay describing how your experience working for yourself as either a contractor or small business owner has impacted your view of education and your future. The winning application will receive a $1,000 scholarship.

Who can apply?
Any undergraduate or graduate student currently enrolled in a degree program at any accredited American College, University or Trade School with self employment experience may apply. For purposes of this scholarship, self employment experience simply means that you or a business you started were paid directly for your work. Here are some examples of common types of self employment:

• Mowing lawns for neighbors
• Tutoring students
• Babysitting services for families
• Hanging Christmas lights for neighbors
• Starting a business of any kind

Payment for work received from an employer is not self-employment. This includes work compensated in the form of tips. Here are some examples of employment that do not qualify:

• Waiting tables for a restaurant
• Bar tending
• Any salaried job
  Only one submission per student is allowed.

How to apply?
Submit your 750 to 1,500 word essay as a Microsoft Word attachment or Google Doc attachment to <email redacted for now; not taking further entries at this time>. Use the subject line “ChooseWhat Scholarship Application” Do not put the essay directly in the email – only attached essays will be accepted. On the cover page of your submission (attachment) AND in the body of the email, please include the following information:

• Your full name & Student ID #
• Name of school
• Anticipated Major
• Date of Initial Enrollment
• Expected Graduation Date
• Type and dates of self employment (eg: Lawn maintenance, May 2012- September 2012)

You will be notified at the email you submitted with, close to the winner announcement date, if you are a Finalist. We will need a timely response from you soon thereafter, if so. Please submit your application with an email that you check often.

Deadlines?
This scholarship will be awarded during the Fall and Spring semesters.

• Fall applications are accepted from April 2nd through November 1st. The winner will be announced November 15th.
• *Spring *applications are accepted from November 2nd through April 1st. The winner will be announced April 15th.