Everything You Need to Know About College Scholarships

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What is a college scholarship?

A college scholarship is a type of award given to students who are currently enrolled or soon-to-be enrolled in college, to help cover study expenses. College scholarships are frequently based on academic performance, but can also be provided on the basis of other additional factors such as extracurricular interests, intended major or area of study, and level of financial need.

Who can apply for scholarships? 

One of the most common misconceptions about scholarships is that you have to be an undergraduate student in order to apply. This is not the case! Scholarships are available for students at all levels of college education, including high school students who are planning to go to college, undergraduate students, graduate students, and even doctoral students!

Another common misconception about applying for scholarships is that you have to fall into a certain socioeconomic background in order to be eligible to apply. This is also not the case. While there are many scholarship programs specifically for students who have strong financial need, there are also plenty of opportunities that don’t consider financial need at all. 

Where can I find scholarships to apply for?

Keep an eye out for new scholarship announcements in your local community. These announcements are frequently released by a variety of sources, including your school, town or city, state and the private organizations that exist in those areas. New scholarships are frequently advertised in local newspapers as well as on social media. You can be active in your scholarship search by reaching out to people in your community (school counselor, teachers, parents, coaches, librarians) as well as by looking for scholarships featured in online databases and resources.

There are numerous scholarship search websites that offer scholarships for college students however, be wary of any websites that require payment to use their services. Keep in mind that many colleges themselves offer scholarships for both current and prospective students, however oftentimes these opportunities will only be featured on the school’s own website. If you’re not in college yet, be sure to check out the financial aid websites of the schools you’re planning on applying to, so you can learn more about each one’s scholarship opportunities and programs, and compare them among schools you’re considering! 

What are some tips for applying for scholarships?

The process of winning college scholarships can be a difficult one. Here are a few tips to help you along your journey:

  1. Keep deadlines in mind. Each scholarship has its own deadline for applications. If you apply for a lot of scholarships, make a note of all the deadlines using a scholarship tracker so you don’t miss any. Furthermore, some scholarships will occasionally change or extend their deadlines, so be sure to check the information on the provider’s website on a regular basis.
  2. Put time into your applications, specifically, your essays. For scholarships that require essays or non-standard application requirements (think, a poem, uploading a piece of art, etc), make sure you give these your all, since they can oftentimes be the only portion of the scholarship application that allows you to showcase who you really are, aside from your grades and your resume. 
  3. Scholarships are intended to assist students in financing their studies; therefore, a genuine scholarship will not require you to pay anything in order to apply! If a scholarship requires some sort of application fee, or asks for your credit card or any other not relevant personal information, steer clear as this opportunity is likely a scam.

When should I be applying for scholarships?

As stated earlier, many students think that you can only apply for scholarships while you’re actually in college. This could not be further from the truth! If you’re in high school (especially if you’re a junior or senior), you’ll find that there are hundreds of scholarships out there that cater specifically to students of your year. By seeking out these opportunities as early as possible, you’ll give yourself the greatest chance at winning awards to help you pay for your college degree. 

Students also tend to believe that scholarships are only available to apply for during the school year, when in reality, scholarships are offered and available all year round. If you’re serious about wanting to earn scholarships for college, you should aim to make the search and application process a part of your regular routine, and apply all year round to ensure you don’t miss out on any great opportunities!

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