Intimate Conversation with Shay Spivey
Shay Spivey, BSW, MSW is a scholarship and financial aid advisor specializing in helping students understand and prepare to win scholarships for college. Shay was born and raised in Indianapolis, Indiana and earned her Bachelor and Master of Social Work from Indiana University. She has studied scholarships and free financial aid extensively and developed a passion for helping others find free money for college.
BPM: Readers, please allow me to share with you this fabulous non-fiction book, How to Submit a Winning Scholarship Application: Secret Techniques I Used to Win $100,000 in College Scholarships
By Shay Spivey, BSW, MSW. Shay Spivey shares her proven tips and techniques that helped her win over $100,000 in college scholarships and free financial aid toward her own undergraduate and graduate degrees.
Here is an Excerpt from How to Submit a Winning Scholarship Application:
“Congratulations on your decision to search for alternative ways to pay for college!
As a scholarship winner and college graduate, I have developed proven tips and techniques that helped me win over $100,000 in college scholarships and free financial aid. As a proven expert and professional consultant in my respective field, I am devoted to helping others find, apply, and win free money to go to college. In this guide I will share with you my proven tips and techniques on how to submit a winning scholarship application.”
BPM: Shay, what sparked the idea for your book?
I wrote this book to fill a special need in the community. I wish I had this book when I was in high school because I would not have felt so lost. I dropped out after my sophomore year when I ran out of money. Years later I decided to return to college as an adult and began researching alternative ways to pay for college. I won $100,000 in college scholarships and want to help others find free money to complete their degree. Readers can check it out on Amazon: amzn.to/Wrnot7
BPM: How personal is your writing?
I decided to return to college as an adult and spent a significant amount of time researching alternative ways to pay for college. I am passionate about scholarships and financial aid and I hope that comes through in my writing. When trying to find a way to put myself through college as a single parent, I was blessed to find my purpose in life. Every step of my journey has led to this moment and I believe that with all my heart. I sincerely want to help others achieve their educational goals without going into debt.
BPM: Why are scholarships and free financial aid important?
College is expensive. Scholarships and financial aid are vital to the equal access, enrollment, and retention of underrepresented students in colleges and universities. Tuition costs are rising at an alarming rate and the rising costs of higher education have many people wondering if they can afford college. Education changes lives and scholarships and free financial aid make it affordable.
BPM: What do you want readers to get from your book?
There are several things I hope readers learn after reading my book: (1) An understanding about scholarships and financial aid; (2) how to submit a winning scholarship application; (3) how to prepare in advance; (4) how to create an advantage; and (5) what scholarships judges are looking for. Most importantly, I want people to walk away feeling empowered, knowing that they too can change their life.
BPM: How did you win $100,000 in college scholarships?
I won over $100,000 in college scholarships which allowed me to return to college and change my life. Returning to college was a priority for me. Therefore, I made finding the money to pay for it a priority as well. One thing was certain in my situation: No money, no college.
I treated the process of applying for scholarships and free financial aid like it was the last chance I might ever have to return to college... because it was. This was it. College was my ticket out of poverty, my chance to change my life, and the opportunity I had been waiting for.
If I could not convince scholarship organizations to help me financially, I had no other way to pay for college. I put my heart and soul into telling my story and getting it into the hands of anyone who could help. Applying for scholarships opportunities became my part-time job, and I was determined to give it my best shot.
BPM: What motivated you to return to college in your thirties?
There were many motivating factors that played a part in my decision to return to college and earn my degree. One motivating factor was feeling stuck in an entry level job, living paycheck to paycheck, struggling, and watching the world pass me by. I attempted several times to apply for better positions, however I learned that without a college degree opportunities for advancement did not exist for me. I needed to make a change or I felt like I would die a death of stagnancy. I felt like my life was going nowhere.
BPM: What is next for you, Shay?
I am currently working on my next project which addresses another need: Scholarships and financial aid for private high schools.
Connect with Shay Spivey, BSW, MSW
About.me/shay.spivey
Twitter: @ShayMSpivey
Blog: scholarshipadvisor.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorshayspivey
Watch & Share the How to Submit a Winning Scholarship Application
Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/QEE8tCfJf5s
How to Submit a Winning Scholarship Application: Secret Techniques I Used to Win $100,000 in College Scholarships. Author: Shay Spivey, BSW, MSW. Purchase Link: http://amzn.com/0991576063
