John C. Bajus Scholarship

A letter of recommendation (letter of rec) is a letter written by someone in your life who can speak to your achievements, positive traits, and potential. It's basically a summary of why you're great and deserve the scholarship or funding you're applying for! Typically, students ask teachers, mentors, coaches, or employers (never family or friends). FYI: You have to ask someone to write a letter of rec for you.

The main difference between an official transcript and an unofficial transcript is an official transcript can't be viewed by you, and an unofficial transcript can be viewed by you. An official transcript contains an official seal, mark, and / or signature from your school, and is sent directly to the scholarship you're applying to. An unofficial transcript contains the same information, but it will be given to you first, and then you can send or upload it to the scholarship you're applying to.

To have a copy of your official transcript submitted for a scholarship application, you'll need to contact the registrar's office and ask that they send your transcript to the address you provide. Tip: Make sure to do this far in advance!

For a college transcript, you can also contact the registrar's office, or, you can submit a request through your college portal. FYI: Colleges often charge a fee for this.

When choosing a reference, try to select someone who knows you well and can speak to your specific skills and achievements. Teachers, employers, and coaches are all great examples. FYI: you should never put down a family member or friend!

To increase your chances of getting a scholarship, apply early, follow all application instructions, and write a great scholarship essay (if applicable)! For more help, ask a Mos advisor!