Wal Mart Scholarships

Applying for Wal-Mart Scholarships

Wal-Mart is the nation's largest employer, with 7,390 stores in 14 markets and over two million associates. Wal-Mart's charitable giving program includes a number of scholarship opportunities.

All Wal-Mart scholarships are awarded on the basis of financial need, ACT/SAT scores, academic achievement, and school or community leadership. Wal-Mart does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, color, race, sexual orientation, religion, disability, ethnicity, national origin, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally-protected status when awarding college scholarships.

Scholarships for Wal-Mart Employees and Children

Walton Family Foundation Scholarships are awarded to graduating high school seniors who are the children or legal dependents of full-time Wal-Mart employees with at least one year of service. All applications across the U.S. are pooled together so a panel of judges can select 150 winners. Walton scholarships are worth $10,000.

Wal-Mart Associate Scholarships are for Wal-Mart associates who are seniors graduating high school and have been employed by Wal-Mart for at least one continuous year. Associate scholarships are worth $2,000.

Scholarships for Wal-Mart Customers

Wal-Mart Higher Reach Scholarships are for students who wish to further their education after being out of high school for one year or more. Scholarships can be used for undergraduate or graduate work, as well as classes to enhance general job skills. Reach scholarships are worth up to $2,000.

For over 25 years, the Sam Walton Community Scholarships have been given to deserving students across the United States. Each Wal-Mart store, Neighborhood Market, or SAM'S CLUB can award two scholarships for high school students to use for freshman year tuition, books, fees, and on-campus room and board at an accredited college or university. Community scholarships are worth $1,000.

Tips for Winning a Scholarship

Whether you're applying for Wal-Mart scholarships or awards specific to the school you plan to attend, the process for winning a scholarship is the same.

1. Complete a FAFSA. For any scholarship that uses financial need as a criteria, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid is considered proof of your income and assets.
2. Read the application carefully. Make sure you meet all eligibility criteria for the scholarship before you apply.
3. As you're completing the application, remember that your job is to market your talents and skills. While it's not OK to lie, you should try to present your accomplishments in the best possible light. For example, if your GPA isn't as high as you'd like, it's fine to mention that you improved your grades significantly from your junior to senior year or that you have been busy working part-time to save money for your college education.
4. Obtain all necessary supporting documentation. Scholarships often require recommendation letters and copies of your transcript. Plan ahead to make sure you have plenty of time to get all of this information.
5. If possible, ask a teacher, counselor, or trusted adult to proofread your application. It's easy to make careless mistakes that you might not see without an extra pair of eyes to help you.
6. Pay attention to deadlines! Getting your application in late is a guaranteed way to be rejected for a scholarship.
7. If you do win a scholarship, send a thank you letter to the selection committee as soon as possible. While this is not formally required, it's a courteous gesture that will distinguish you as a conscientious student and help make sure funding is available for future scholarship recipients.

For more scholarship application tips, check out LoveToKnow College's interview with Gen and Kelly Tanabe. As the owners of SuperCollege.com, they are experts in helping students find a way to pay for college.