If you’re preparing to attend college or are already into your first year or two, then the time to apply for scholarships is now. We all know how expensive college can be. It’s not just tuition you have to financially plan for either. The cost of gas, textbooks, and other school supplies all adds up as well.
Finding a scholarship or two is a great way to pay for college and some of those extra expenses as well. Applying for a scholarship can be a bit daunting at first, however, but it’s worth the effort put into it.
Scholarships are rewarded to you and offer you money to put towards your college career that you don’t have to pay back. Who doesn’t love free money for school? Some students, unfortunately, choose not to apply for scholarships because of the requirements they must meet.
Don’t be one of those students. We’re here to help by listing several tips for scholarship success. Continue reading below and go get that free scholarship money to help pay for your college expenses!
Table of Contents
1. Speak to Financial Aid or a Guidance Counselor
What’s the very first step you should take? Stop in the financial aid office or stop in to see your guidance counselor. In high school, your guidance counselor will know about several different scholarships that are available to you.
They’ll also know all of the requirements needed to successfully received the reward. After sitting down with your guidance counselor, the two of you can then come up with a plan to ensure you meet all the requirements. These requirements might include boosting your GPA, completing a number of volunteer hours, writing a short essay, and more.
If you’re already in college, you won’t have as much help as you did with a guidance counselor, but you can still stop into the financial aid office on campus and ask what scholarships you’re able to apply for. These are the best people to speak with because they can guide you down the right path from the very beginning.
2. Start Applying to Scholarships Early
If possible, start applying to scholarships early. The ideal time to start applying is in high school before you’re even in college. If you receive the scholarship, then it’ll be waiting for you once you start college.
It’s good to start early because this gives you plenty of time to apply to multiple scholarships. Keep in mind, you might not receive every scholarship you apply for. That’s why it’s a good idea to apply for multiple scholarships.
The best possible outcome is you’re rewarded several scholarships, which will all add up together for optimal college expense savings. If you’re already a college student, don’t worry, you can still apply for scholarships.
3. Apply For Scholarships Tailored to You
There’s a variety of college scholarships available for all students. Some scholarships are general scholarships that anyone in the state can apply for. Make sure to apply to those, but also be on the lookout for scholarships tailored to you.
What does this mean?
There are certain scholarships that only certain students qualify for. For example, the Jasdeep Singh scholarship is specifically for first-generation students. These are students who are the first in their families to attend college.
Try to single out any scholarships that are geared towards a more specific type of student. They’ll have fewer people applying to them, which means a better chance of receiving them.
4. Never Stop Applying, Even Throughout College
If you want to receive the most scholarship rewards possible, then never stop applying. Even once you’re already in college and into your second or third year, keep applying to scholarships. There will always be something available for you.
The worst thing that can happen is that you’re not rewarded the scholarship, but it’s always worth applying for it. All throughout college, take the time to visit your financial aid office (at least once a year) to determine what scholarships you can apply for. Again, your financial aid advisor will know exactly how to help you and will have all the information you need.
5. Know the Scholarship’s Specific Requirements
If you want to be successful in your scholarship applications, then it’s essential to know the scholarship’s specific requirements. Each scholarship will have its own unique requirements, so don’t assume they’re all the same. Then, you need to ensure you meet each and every requirement before submitting your application.
Due dates are also important factors to keep in mind. Scholarships will have specific due dates for when they need to be submitted. If you miss these due dates, then your application won’t even be processed. If needed, keep a planner will all the different due dates so you don’t forget any.
You can also consider setting reminders on your phone’s calendar as well.
6. Formulate a Resume of Your Accomplishments
To help you stand out from the crowd, you can create a resume of all your accomplishments. What makes you the best candidate for the scholarship? What efforts and accomplishments have you done to make yourself stand above the rest?
Were you a part of any school activities, groups, or programs? Did you receive any rewards at school or different achievements? Be sure to write all of these down in the form of a resume that you’ll submit with your application.
It’s also a great idea to collect teacher recommendations from as many teachers as possible.
Are You Applying For a Scholarship?
Is it time to start applying for a scholarship? We know how overwhelming the process might seem. Thankfully, there are a few helpful tips to guide you along the way.
Keep all the advice listed above in mind when starting to applying for scholarships. If you follow these tips, then you’ll be sure to find success! Applying For a Scholarship
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Read Also: A Quick Guide on How to Find Scholarships For College