Securing College Scholarships: A FAQ Guide for Students
Many students hope to attend college to learn more about the world, acquire skills for their dream job, and make lifelong friendships. However, a common pain point complicates the application process for some high school students: hefty tuition and related fees.
Fortunately, you can mitigate the financial impact of these expenses by applying for scholarships. If you’re a high school upperclassman, you’re likely already researching scholarship options, which can be overwhelming. Not to worry—this guide will answer your questions about scholarship applications and provide essential tips for making college more affordable. Let’s dive in!
What types of scholarships can I apply to?
A critical aspect of securing scholarships is to apply to those that apply to you. Everyone has different interests, talents, and achievements, and if you research thoroughly, you’ll find your perfect niche. Common types of scholarships include:
Academic scholarships. These funds are rewarded to students who meet a certain academic threshold, such as GPA or standardized test scores.
Talent scholarships. Are you a piano prodigy or a soccer superstar? Consider applying to or trying out for skill-based scholarships.
Need-based scholarships. These scholarships are reserved for students with financial needs as determined by family income, assets, and other factors.
Merit-based scholarships. Giving back to your community pays off! Merit-based scholarships are meant for students who can demonstrate a strong work ethic, leadership, and community involvement.
Employer-based scholarships. Some employers offer exclusive scholarships to their staff as a corporate philanthropy initiative. For instance, if the children of college faculty enroll in that same school, they may be eligible for special scholarships.
Fraternity and sorority legacy scholarships. Even if you aren’t enrolled in college yet, many fraternities and sororities offer generational scholarships to children of alumni. Look into your parent’s organization and see if you qualify.
Diversity scholarships. Schools and community groups often award diversity scholarships to increase educational opportunities for underrepresented groups, such as first-generation college students.
To maximize your chances of receiving funds, understand your strengths and interests and only apply to scholarships that align with them. By honing in on the most relevant opportunities, you’ll produce higher-quality applications and increase your chances of success.
How do I find scholarship opportunities?
Each year, a whopping $100 million in scholarship money goes unclaimed due to students’ unfamiliarity with the application process and inability to find available opportunities. Get a piece of that pie and discover scholarships by:
Talking to your guidance counselor, teachers, parents, coaches, and volunteer coordinators
Using scholarship research websites, such as Scholarships.com, Chegg, and Scholarships360
Researching state and federal government-funded scholarships, such as the Pell Grant or the Zell Miller Scholarship
Filling out financial need forms, such as the FAFSA
Looking for school-specific scholarships on the college’s website
You can find most of the scholarship information you need online. But, for hyperlocal opportunities, such as those offered by a small nonprofit you volunteer for or a PTA scholarship from your high school, you might need to ask specific points of contact about your options. As long as you set aside ample time to thoroughly look into the possibilities, you’re sure to find some great scholarships.
How do I successfully secure scholarship funds?
Once you find your scholarship niche and some ideal opportunities, it’s time for the most important part of the process: creating an excellent case for why you deserve the funds. Follow these tips to optimize your scholarship applications:
Stay organized and plan ahead. Devise a system for keeping track of your due dates so nothing slips through the cracks.
Use human resources. As previously mentioned, you can sometimes find the most useful information offline. If you’re applying for a scholarship that a sibling or older peer won recently, ask for their advice on how to structure your responses.
Personalize your application. The key to crafting a convincing application response is letting your personality shine. Let your experiences shape your answers and demonstrate a clear connection between you and the scholarship’s purpose.
Include references. Ask teachers, bosses, coaches, and other adults that know you well to write about your strengths in a recommendation letter.
Recycle themes and ideas when possible. Unlike the college application process, you’re likely to apply to many different scholarships to increase your chances of winning funds. Expedite the process by reusing similar ideas or themes for similar questions. That being said, ensure that your responses are still original and tailored to the specific awarding organization.
Ask for help. If you’re new to writing personal essays, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Ask more experienced writers such as your parents for their guidance on your application strategy. For a more in-depth approach, consider working with a tutor who can teach you how to strengthen your application.
Follow up. After you send off your application, send an email to the organization to confirm the decision timeline. Don’t forget to thank them for their time and consideration—friendliness and grace will get you far!
Take things one step at a time. Start planning far in advance so you can produce the highest quality of work possible without having to race the clock before the deadline.
Most importantly, be persistent. If you don’t win some scholarships, don’t give up! There are thousands of options for you to explore and pursue. Continually research and apply for new opportunities that match your skills and experiences.
Final Thoughts on Securing College Scholarships
Once you start your college education, don’t stop your search! Many clubs and organizations offer scholarships for enrolled students, such as fraternities and sororities that have scholarships funded by alumni giving. If you’re interested in fraternity or sorority scholarships, OmegaFi recommends rushing organizations that use technology to streamline the communication and reward process.
By continuing to search and apply for these opportunities, you can reduce the financial burden of college tuition and focus on shaping your future. UPchieve is ready to help you, too. Consider signing up for a free college counseling session!