<p>Forgot to add that we live close to 2 stores.</p>
<p>And mine is different. It says:
I am pleased to inform you that you have been identified as a finalist in the 2007 Best Buy Scholarships Program.</p>
<p>In order to receive final consideration for an award, you must send the following documents to Scholarship America by postmark deadline March 30, 2007: Be sure to include your ID# stated above on all required documents before mailing. </p>
<p>1) Current complete official transcript of grades</p>
<p>2) Publicity Release Form completed and signed as indicated on the form.</p>
<p>3) Volunteer Community Service Verification Form completed and signed as indicated on the form.</p>
<p>Please use the following link to access the instructions and forms needed:</p>
<p>The required information must be completed in the specified format and include the required signatures. Do not send any additional materials. You may fax the forms to your respective contacts; however, the final completed form will be accepted only by post mail. The required documents must be sent together in one large envelope, unstapled...</p>
<p>When I hit your link, it asks for four things (including an essay). When I hit my link, it looks the same except that it asks for three things (no essay).
Strange.</p>
<p>Do you live within 50 miles of a store?</p>
<p>Maybe your daughter is being considered for the national prize and I'm not.</p>
<p>Anyone else?</p>
<p>Yes, we live within 50 miles of 2 stores. I checked your link. This is really weird.</p>
<p>Let's see if anyone else jumps in.</p>
<p>I rechecked the essay form & noticed this on it:</p>
<p>"Note: This essay is an important factor in selecting recipients for the $10,000 award."</p>
<p>I'm not sure how to take that without reading too much into it. We had thought all finalists had to write essays & then the $10,000 winners would be selected. Now I'm really confused. Remind me when the winners will be notified.</p>
<p>Mine sure didn't have that extra wording. Wow. Congratulations. It sounds as though your daughter is in the running for the big prize. There are supposed to be 16 $10,000 winners and 1,700 $1,500 winners.</p>
<p>I think that they let people know towards the end of the month and then post the names of the winners on their website in early May.</p>
<p>This is actually kind of fun. All the extra wrinkles may justify having this thread featured, after all.</p>
<p>lol...which state are you in? We're in SC.</p>
<p>We also weren't asked for an essay....hmmm...so do we have a chance at anything???</p>
<p>I am in Ohio and received the condensed version of the finalist forms. I am considered an at-large finalist due to being more than 50 miles from a store. pgpc125 I am surprised that your daughter doesn't qualify for a free ride if you are disabled and she is supporting your family. Your EFC should be 0 and you should qualify for everything there is to receive out there from the college of her choice?</p>
<p>Best of luck in the $10,000 scholarship....it sounds as if she is very deserving of the award.</p>
<p>we are within 50 miles of a store, so I don't think that is what makes the difference on the essay or not. Guess they have already decided who is eleigible for the big awards ...</p>
<p>We had read on other threads that an EFC of 0 didn't mean one's need would actually be fully met & were surprised. However, during the process we have found that to be true. Even being offered top scholarships @ colleges + Pell Grant, ACG, sub. Stafford loans, etc., there is still a gap @ each. We would be happy with the $1,500, however for her to even be considered for the $10,000 is really hard for us to fathom. There are so many deserving students and when she is doing community service it is a way of life for her.
I do wish everyone the best with their scholarship searching. As I said, there are so many deserving of these scholarships. Just remember when you reach out to others, usually you gain a lot more than you could ever possibly give.
Thanks for your kind words.</p>
<p>^^^ It's a common mistake for people to assume that because their EFC is 0, they will receive all the money they need to attend a school. Only very heavily endowed schools ... those that promise to meet 100% need ... can do that ... and they expect loans to be taken out (generally). I hope you get the big scholarship ... it's always nice when it goes to someone who merits it AND needs it!</p>
<p>D also had to send in just the 3 things - the PR form, the CS verification, and the transcript. No essay. We are in MA and near two stores.</p>
<p>Ok, I've read & reread...lol... all the old posts from last year concerning the scholarship. I'm starting to get antsy now that 2 other "larger amount" scholarships haven't panned out. Has anyone known of a winner of the larger amount in the past? It would be nice to know if the 16 are different regions or if it doesn't really matter where they are from. Hope that makes sense.
I think I have read her essay every day & rechecked the fonts, etc. until I'm getting OCD. Continued good luck all.</p>
<p>Did anyone get a rejection email from them? Or should I just assume that since I didn't hear anything I didn't win?</p>
<p>Has anyone heard anything since submitting the required info for finalists?</p>
<p>I haven't heard anything yet. I thought tomorrow was the day of announcements?</p>
<p>I know the email said early May & the BB site says"...will be posted by May 12..."</p>
<p>Brainomatic had a post:
"On April 30, 2006, Best Buy posted the names of the scholarship winners on their website. In a letter dated May 3, 2006, my son received the official notice from Scholarship Management Services that he had been selected for the scholarship."</p>
<p>Just thought I would check & see if anyone has had any type of feedback.
Also, was wondering if by chance someone heard something today since last year's were announced on the 30th... i.e: no news is still good news at this point.</p>
<p>Anybody hear anything yet?</p>