Getting Started with Scholarships

Introduction to Scholarships

Scholarships are a type of financial aid that can significantly ease the financial burden of a college education. They are often awarded based on merit, academic achievement, or financial need, providing students with free money to cover tuition, fees, and other education-related expenses. With many scholarships available, students can embark on a scholarship search using online resources like scholarship search engines or by consulting their high school counselor or college financial aid office. By applying for scholarships, students can reduce their reliance on student loans, making their college education more affordable and accessible. Whether you’re a high school student or already in college, exploring scholarship opportunities can pave the way for a brighter future.

While scholarships all have different requirements, there are certain things your student can do to help them set themselves up for success as they get started with scholarships.

Everything from maintaining a strong GPA, participating in school clubs, extracurricular activities, volunteering, and working can be beneficial, as they help your child stand out from the crowd by showing they are a well-rounded and dedicated individual.

Additionally, involvement in community service can significantly enhance a student’s scholarship application by demonstrating their commitment to giving back and their leadership skills.

Plus, some organizations, like the National Honor Society and even part-time employers, offer scholarships exclusively to their members or workers. By getting involved, your child may be able to apply for an award that doesn’t have a lot of competition or automatically qualify for no-strings-attached assistance.

Types of Scholarships

There are various types of scholarships available to students, each catering to different needs and qualifications. Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement or talent in areas such as sports, arts, or leadership. Need-based scholarships, on the other hand, are designed to assist students who demonstrate financial need. Additionally, there are scholarships specific to certain fields of study, such as culinary arts, engineering, or healthcare. Students should search for scholarships that align with their interests and qualifications, applying to as many as they are eligible for. By exploring the diverse range of scholarships available, students can find opportunities that best fit their academic and career goals.

One of the easiest resources to access when it comes to finding out information about reputable scholarships is college financial aid offices and high school guidance counselors.

These academic professionals have usually been working in their fields for a significant amount of time and typically have the inside scoop on a range of scholarship opportunities and additional information.

If your student knows where they will be going to college, the financial aid office is a particularly valuable resource, as they have information about any institutional awards (those limited to students going to that particular school) for which your child may qualify. These generally have less competition than certain well-known national scholarships, so your student’s odds of receiving an award may be higher.

Guidance counselors are usually well-connected in the local community, making it easier to identify local scholarships, and generally keep tabs on national-level awards too, which can be crucial for prospective applicants. They can be a great point of contact for high school students who haven’t selected a college yet, so it’s worth having your child coordinate some time with them.

The internet is a great resource when you are trying to locate scholarships or submit applications. Nearly every major organization that offers an award will have the details online, and likely accept applications electronically.

However, you do need to make sure your child is careful when they get started with scholarships online, as not all of the sources are reputable and some organizations that state they offer a scholarship are actually hosting something more akin to a sweepstakes, making them not worth your child’s time in the vast majority of cases.

Generally, legitimate scholarships will have very similar basic requirements. For example, they’ll frequently ask for an essay (written or video), portfolio, or similar demonstration of your student’s skills. They may also request transcripts, especially if the scholarship is merit-based, proof of acceptance to a college, or other formal documentation.

Before your child submits any information as they get started with scholarships, it’s wise to do a little research on the organization to determine whether it is legitimate. There are scholarship scams out there, so a bit of care today can save your student a serious headache down the road.

As your child begins researching scholarships, make sure that they explore options with big and small awards. While a $500 may not seem like much in comparison to tuition, every award counts. Plus, your child can win multiple scholarships, so numerous small wins can add up to real tuition savings!

Another big question many people have is “When should my child start early with scholarships?”

Starting early allows students to stay organized and manage their scholarship applications more effectively. The easy answer is NOW, as the sooner they begin, the higher the likelihood that they will receive some awards, possibly allowing them to graduate debt free.

To put it simply, here is what we say:

• Sophomores in high school – start preparing for scholarships, building resumes and involvements
• Juniors in high school – begin applying for scholarships NOW because senior year will be extremely busy as-is
• Seniors in high school – focus on applying for scholarships as early as the summer before and apply all the way through summer until college begins. (Yes.. there are deadlines that early and late!)
• College students – focus on applying over holiday breaks and apply all 4 years in college

While younger students may think they have plenty of time to get started with scholarships, this really is a thing where the sooner they start, the better off they’ll be. So, making it a priority today can pay off big in the future.