Overview

Estimated Time: 1 Class Period (50 minutes)
Unit: College In Focus
Lesson: 2.6
Theme: Scholarships: Now

Students are introduced to the importance of financial aid and scholarship planning by exploring Indiana's 21st Century Scholars program and creating a ScholarTrack account. Through an interactive presentation and guided account setup, students learn how scholarship opportunities, financial aid, and early planning can reduce the cost of college. Students also complete their first ScholarTrack activity, reinforcing the importance of actively preparing for future educational opportunities.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson students will:

Explain how scholarships and financial aid can reduce the cost of postsecondary education.
Create a ScholarTrack account and become familiar with its purpose.
Complete and log a Scholar Success Program activity in ScholarTrack.
Recognize the importance of beginning scholarship and financial aid planning during middle school.

Indiana Standards

PCC-1.2 – Identify personal interests, strengths, skills, and values that influence career choices.

PCC-3.3 – Compare postsecondary education and training options based on career goals.

PCC-3.4 – Evaluate postsecondary options using personal interests, career goals, and financial considerations.

PCC-4.2 – Develop and maintain a personal career portfolio.

Before You Begin:

Student Materials

Device with internet access
ScholarTrack Overview sheet
Writing materials (pen or pencil)
Email address (recommended, if available)

Teacher Preparation

Coordinate with Project Leadership staff (or another qualified presenter) to facilitate the financial aid and scholarship presentation.
Print copies of the ScholarTrack Overview sheet.
Verify that students have access to devices and an internet connection for creating ScholarTrack accounts.
Review the ScholarTrack account creation process and the first Scholar Success Program activity.
Be prepared to assist students with creating accounts and logging their first Scholar Success Program activity.

Lesson Flow

Hook / Warm-Up (Interactive Financial Aid Presentation)
Mini Lesson: Understanding Scholarships and Financial Aid
Creating ScholarTrack Accounts
Completing the First Scholar Success Program Activity
Reflection and Questions

Student Work Products

Students will complete:

ScholarTrack account setup
First logged Scholar Success Program activity

These artifacts become part of each student's Portfolio in Unit 3.

External Resources

ScholarTrack
21st Century Scholars Program

Teacher Tips

Emphasize that scholarship planning begins long before students apply to college. Encourage students to think of ScholarTrack as a tool that will help them stay organized and prepared throughout middle school and high school. As students create their accounts, reinforce the importance of keeping their login information in a safe place and completing Scholar Success Program activities as they progress toward graduation.

Portfolio Connection

At the conclusion of this lesson, students should have:

Created a ScholarTrack account.
Completed and logged their first Scholar Success Program activity.
Developed an understanding of how scholarships and financial aid can help reduce the cost of college.
Taken an important first step toward preparing for future postsecondary opportunities.

Lesson 2.6 - Scholarships: Now Snapshot & Resources