The College Scholarship Basics
Scholarships are one of the best ways to pay for school and with thousands of different private and Federal scholarships to choose from, there is nothing stopping you from receiving one of the millions given away every year for higher education. However, despite the plethora of available scholarships, many individuals have a difficult time locating the right ones for them.
The following articles are designed to help facilitate this process. Here you will find numerous articles on the best links for scholarship searches, information on how to write a brilliant scholarship application, and tips for maximizing your scholarship money once you have received it. After reading through these tips, you should be much better equipped to find the perfect scholarships for your education.
How to Find Scholarships Online
Higher education is the key to a more successful and rewarding future. As reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in 2007 those with a bachelor's or master's degree made an average of $987-$1165 per week compared to someone with a high school diploma or less who averaged $425-$604 per week. This can add up to as much as $38,000 per year. In a lifetime, according to The College Board, the difference can exceed $800,000.
However, higher education is getting more and more expensive each and every year. The National Center for Educational statistics estimated that in 1985, a student paid an average of $4,885 for room, board, and tuition and college fees. In 2005, just 20 years later, this cost had skyrocketed to $14,629 annually.
Looking into the various types and methods of attaining a scholarship can be your path to decreasing the costs involved with higher education. Scholarships are a way to be rewarded for your educational success and help pay for a brighter educational future. According to The College Board, there are over 2,300 sources of college funding in the United States which total nearly $3 billion yearly in available scholarship aid.
Scholarships in Your Community
Before you begin applying for college scholarships, you need to ask yourself what exactly you are looking for. There are several scholarship competitions for those who want to put their talents to the test. Furthermore, scholarship opportunities depend on what interests you have, what career you plan to pursue and what area of study you are enrolled in.
Companies vary from large national businesses such as Coca-Cola, National Merit and Gates Millennium to smaller community services such as the RSL, fast food chains, department stores and super markets. Also, be sure to check with your parent's work places as they may offer scholarships to children of employees.
Next, look to your State Department of Higher Education, especially if you plan to attend college in the same state you live. Their website will have information to point you towards scholarships.
Another great place to find scholarships is with your intended higher education institute. Most colleges and universities offer their students scholarships based on merit, financial need, ethnicity, interests, program of study and several other criteria. Check your school's website or their catalogue for more information.
Online Resources
After you have looked into the community, local and institutional websites, you should perform a basic online search for scholarships. Keep in mind that you should never have to pay for a scholarship search.
The Internet can be a little overwhelming when it comes to applying for scholarships and sometimes it is hard to decipher between a scholarship scam and a legitimate scholarship fund. That is why it is best to turn to government-sponsored websites and reliable resources as listed below.
The first website to visit is www.fafsa.ed.gov . The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), is the form to fill out for all student aid coming from the Federal Government. Not every school participates in every federal student aid program but most do. The Federal programs available to students are:
• Pell Grants• Academic Competitiveness Grants
• National Science and Mathematics Access to Retain Talent Grants
• Federal Stafford Loans
• Federal PLUS Loans
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
• Federal Work-Study
• Federal Perkins Loans
Students.gov is another great resource from the federal government. They list several free online services for those looking into applying for higher education scholarships at the federal, state and community levels. They also list places to look for financial aid and scholarships depending on your intended area of study and your background.
Check out the U.S. Department of Education or the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services ; both offer fast and free scholarship search engines.
The College Board is another useful website to navigate through when beginning your quest for scholarships. They offer a simple search engine based on your personal information, your background history and your intended area of study to find the best possible scholarship matches for your higher education.
Two other free and helpful websites are Fast Web and College Answer . You need to register to these websites but both provide exceptional scholarship searches based on your particular situation and future educational goals.
Searching for scholarships can be a daunting experience. However, by knowing what you want and where to look, you will be able to save hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on your higher education costs. There is no better way to begin your educational journey than on the right financial path.
Article ResourcesStudents.Gov
The U.S. Department of Education
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
College Board Scholarship Search
Fast Web Scholarship Search
College Answer
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Scholarship Application Tutorial
Applying for scholarships may seem like a daunting task to those who are just starting to investigate how to pay for college. However, most scholarships have a similar application process, so once you have applied to a couple, applying to several more should not be as difficult. Also, remember that if you're awarded a scholarship the effort you put into applying will be well worth your time.
Where to Start
The first step every student looking for debt free ways to pay for school should take is to apply using the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA), which will determine your eligibility for a wide range of government aid opportunities. The FAFSA does not award scholarships in the traditional sense of what a private scholarship is, a gift provided to a student on the basis of academic merit. However, the FAFSA does award grants to students who demonstrate adequate financial need and grants are just as good as scholarships in the sense that they are free money that you will never have to repay.
All students should begin by applying with the FAFSA because most of the time they are more likely to be awarded one of the thousands of need based grants distributed by the government than a highly competitive private and merit based scholarship. In addition, applying with FAFSA will determine if you can receive low interest need based loans, which may be important to you if scholarships and grants are not enough to cover your full cost of attendance.
You should apply with the FAFSA as soon as the application is available; January 1st for the following school year. You can completely apply with the FAFSA online.
How and Where to Find Scholarships
Part of the process of successfully applying for scholarships is finding the best scholarships; meaning the scholarships you are most qualified for and have the highest chance of winning. One way to ensure you find the best scholarships is to start your search early so you have time to find the best-fitting scholarships. Plus by applying early you will ensure that you have enough time to meet the deadline; requesting application materials, finding answers to questions and writing essays can add up weeks of work.
There are many sites that specialize in providing scholarship search engines. However, these sites largely vary in their quality. In general, you will want to look for sites that have a sizable database of scholarships and a specific way for you to search for scholarships that you are eligible for. Scholarship Experts is one of these sites and has been voted by Forbes magazine as the best scholarship website every year since 2003.
Once you start searching for scholarships you will want to pay special attention to eligibility requirements. Eligibility requirements can sometimes be detailed and complicated, so be sure you read them carefully. It takes less time to do this than apply for a scholarship you are ineligible and did not know it. If you do not understand something call and ask the providers of the scholarship for clarification.
How to Apply for Scholarships
The specifics of applying to a particular scholarship will vary, but most scholarship application processes follow a general pattern. After you have found a scholarship that you are qualified for, read the directions fully and in detail. Next you will need to prepare and organize your application materials. Several scholarships require you to submit some or all of the following materials:
- Pertinent test scores
- All transcripts
- Financial aid forms
- Essays
- Letters of recommendation
- Any other specific materials to verify your proof of eligibility
You should spend time doing a quality job on your essays. Other aspects of your application are important such as your past academic performance and test scores, but the essay component gives decision makers insight into what makes you different from all the other applicants. A well-written and passionate essay can sway awards when a choice must be made between students with similar strengths in other areas. In addition to having your teachers, peers, or mentors read and provide feedback on your essays check out FinAid, a non-profit financial aid site recommended by the US Department of Education, for scholarships essay tips.
Once you have compiled all the necessary materials fill out the application, following the directions to the letter. Then proof read the application and all other accompanying materials. Do not leave any items blank and make sure your writing is legible and clean.
Before you submit your application make a copy of everything and put them in a file so you can refer back to it if you are asked to do anything further or if part of your application is lost or misplaced, which happens from time to time. Double check everything one more time and then submit your application.
Now you have already gathered several materials that you will likely need to apply to more scholarships. So you are next step is to do just that; search out and apply for more scholarships so you can graduate with as little debt as possible.
Article Resources:The U.S. Department of Education
FinAid
Scholarship Experts
FAFSA
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Strategies for Maximizing Scholarship Income
You may think there is not much you can do, beyond having excellent academic performance and test scores, to win scholarships. However, the truth is that there are several strategies and tactics you can implement in the scholarship search and application process that will maximize your chances of success.
Begin with the FAFSA
The first step you should take is to fill out the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA does not award merit-based scholarships but does award thousands of need based grants every year, and grants are just as desirable as scholarships in the sense that they award money you never have to repay.
Beyond just filling out the FAFSA, you should learn how to maximize your chances of being awarded the largest grants possible. You may wonder how you could possibly increase the amount of money you will receive from government grants since this is solely dependent on your financial status. The answer is in understanding the formulas and methodology the US Government uses to evaluate a family's financial.
For instance, a family with a parent who saves for their child's college tuition in their own name will receive more money than a family with a parent who saves for their child's college tuition in the child's name. Also, one of the questions on the FAFSA regards how much money is in your bank account at the very moment your filling out the application. If you just got paid, you would likely have a fair sum of money sitting in your account versus if it is the end of the month and after you have paid several bills when you may have very little in your account. To maximize your grant amounts you should fill out the FAFSA after you have paid your bills for the month.
These strategies are not illegal so long as you are completely honest about your family's finances. Nor are these strategies intended to confuse the government and make rich people look poorer; they are simply means to reflect your financial need in the most favorable way possible to you. FinAid , a public service site recommended by the US Department of Education, has a wealth of information, strategies and other resources to get the most out of your FAFSA.
Maximize Merit Based Scholarship Income
After you have made the most of your FAFSA, you will want to apply to as many private, merit-based scholarships as possible. There are several strategies you will want to implement to maximize your chances of being awarded one of these types of competitive scholarships.
Apply to Many and Apply Early Some students think their best chance of success is to put everything they have got into applying to one or two scholarships; however, most of the time this strategy does not work. Scholarship decisions are based on several subjective factors that you do not know and certainly do not have control over. While you do of course want to put effort into all of your applications, your best chance at success is to apply to many scholarships. For instance, one particular scholarship decision maker may not like your essay as much as another; this is enough to sway an award.
An effective way to apply to as many scholarships as possible is to create a file of generic application materials. In it can be typed answers to common application questions, essays and copies of transcripts and test scores. This way when you apply you can quickly pull from this file and then only have to fine-tune your materials to customize them for individual scholarships. This takes much less time than starting from scratch with every application and works well because many scholarship applications are similar.
Furthermore, part of effectively applying to scholarships is effectively searching for those that you are most qualified for. There are plenty of scholarship search sites, but you will want to find sites that have a sizable database of scholarships and a specific way for you to search for ones that you are eligible for. Scholarship Experts , is one of these sites and has been voted by Forbes magazine as the best scholarship website every year since 2003. You should also research local scholarships by contacting your college and state department of education.
In addition, it cannot be stressed enough to apply early. Scholarship applications take time, and you do not want to be rushed and submit a sloppy application or worse yet, miss the deadline completely.
Double the Amount of Time You Have to Apply
Time is arguably the most important resource you have in successfully applying for scholarships, and it is unlikely that you can apply for scholarships all day long. One of the best ways to make the most out of your time is to have your required schoolwork count as part of your scholarship application if possible.
For instance, perhaps you are reading To Kill a Mocking Bird in your English class, and a scholarship you would like to apply for requires an essay with one of the topic options being for you to write about a book that has greatly influenced your life. You could easily write a paper on the novel for credit in your English class, tweak it and then have it double as your scholarship essay. By taking measures like this you can save yourself hours of writing time.
Learn from Other Winners
Lastly, it is very helpful to understand what it takes to win a particular scholarship. Many scholarships have the biographies, essays and applications of scholarship winners posted on their websites or available upon request. By studying these you can angle your application to better fulfill what scholarship decision makers are seeking. This strategy alone will give you an advantage over the competition as most students do not even think of taking the time to do this.
Article Resources:FinAid
Scholarship Experts
The U.S. Department of Education
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5 Tips for Writing a Strong Scholarship Application
You have made the important decision to continue your education through higher learning. You have decided on a specific field of study. You have your eyes on the prize. Now you just have to find a way to pay for it. Numerous scholarship programs have been established to offer a student a helping hand. Most of these scholarships are funded through generous individual benefactors, corporations, government programs, endowments, or competitions. No matter what the source, how you put together your application will determine your success. There are some noteworthy tips to follow that will greatly increase your chances of being awarded a scholarship:
1. Know your scholarship source and eligibility requirements
There are certain basics that go into every scholarship application. Typically these would include your resume, letters of reference, and grade transcripts. One of the unique elements you may be required to supply would be the personal essays geared to your area of study and desired institution. There may be questions that you'll have to answer as it pertains to the specific scholarship fund. For instance, depending on the institution you are applying for a scholarship through, you may have to submit a portfolio of your creative writing, or give detailed answers to scientific research questions. Each scholarship has different requirements. Being able to succinctly fulfill the eligibility requirements will be your first task when successfully applying for a scholarship.
2. Make your personal essay direct and personal
Often students applying for a scholarship struggle with the personal essay because of pressure. Your essay or cover letter is your introduction to who you are as a student and how you'll honor the scholarship. Talk through your ideas with a friend or a family member then put those ideas onto paper. Sharing personal stories of your education and family background will help the scholarship judges appreciate who you are as a person. This does not mean writing about your backpacking trip through Europe. It means writing about the important benchmarks in your life that have pointed you towards a higher education and how you intend to put your degree to use. Keep in mind that often “less is more.” Shorter is better and many admissions officers will stop reading an essay if it goes on too long. Choose your words carefully and make sure every single one matters.
3. Choose your letter of reference writers carefully
Letters of reference are part of every application. These should provide further examples of your accomplishments and your potential as a student. Previous teachers and mentors are in a great position to recommend you as a student. Often, some strings can be pulled to get a V.I.P. such as a congressman or company president to write a letter. But keep in mind that unless these people truly know you, these letters might come off simply as generic and defeat the purpose.
4. Don't pad your resume; keep it honest
Your resume should be an accurate history of work, academics, organizations and honors. Even if you think you don't have a lot to put down, remember that almost everyone else is in the same boat. There is value in all your life experiences from the Boy or Girl Scouts to a church fundraising event or stint on your community football team. Essentially start by writing down a list of everything you've accomplished or participated in and then cut it down to what has really made you the person you are today.
5. Proofread, proofread then proofread again
One or two spelling errors might seem minor but they can be glaring to a reviewer. It is advised that you show your application and essays to a fresh pair of eyes. Remember, you only get one chance to make a positive first impression.
Article Resources:
Scholarships Help
Scholarships
How to Receive a Full Ride Scholarship
Almost all students would like to receive a full ride scholarship to attend their desired college or university. A full ride scholarship is one that pays all your expenses, such as tuition and in some cases even room and board, so that you can get your education without spending a cent.
Full ride scholarships do exist but unfortunately it is unlikely that you will be awarded one if you are an average, or even better than average student. Complete full ride scholarship packages are incredibly competitive and are usually given to star athletes and those who have displayed extraordinary academic performance, however most students do not meet these criteria.
If you, like most other students, do not measure up to these standards, do not despair. There are many innovative, average students who found ways to completely pay for their education through getting a multitude of smaller scholarships and taking other actions. These students created their own "full ride" through college and you can too, here are some ways to make it happen:
Compromise on Your School
You may not want to hear this but one of the easiest ways you can get your education paid for in full is to choose the right school. You may have spent the greater part of high school dreaming about the Ivy League and graduating from Harvard or Yale, but unless you are an exceptional student one of these types of schools is unlikely to award you any major scholarships. However, if you compromise and attend a state school, you will stand out more relative to the rest of the student body. Therefore, the school is much more likely to award you some of the most coveted scholarships. You should also most definitely consider community colleges; you can easily transfer to a university from most community colleges after two years and the tuition is a fraction of the cost of a university education.
If attending the school you have always dreamed about is on the top of your priority list then by all means go for it. However, if you are concerned about finances and want to graduate with as little debt as possible (factors you should at least weigh into your decision making), consider all your options.
Apply to Many Scholarships
One of the best strategies students can use to have their education fully paid is to apply to as many quality scholarships as possible. If you are an average to good student it is unlikely that a college or private program will hand you one complete scholarship that pays your way entirely. However, if you actively seek out and are awarded several smaller scholarships you have a good chance at getting a large portion - if not all - of your college expenses paid for.
Part of being successful at this is to apply to scholarships early and to apply to quality scholarships. Quality scholarships are the ones that you are most qualified for and have the best shot at winning, not necessarily the ones that offer the most money.
Check with the Government
Certain states have very lucrative scholarship programs, which you should thoroughly explore. For instance, Florida has their "Bright Futures Scholarships" which pays for 75 to 100 percent of its recipients' tuition. It is not too hard to get this scholarship either; students need to only maintain a B average, have decent SAT scores and apply online. If you meet the minimum requirements you are guaranteed to get the scholarship and millions of students have done so since the program was instituted in 1997. Check with your state's department of education for more information.
The federal government has some excellent programs that award grants to students with significant financial need. Grants are not the exact same as scholarships - as scholarships are usually awarded based on merit - but grants are free money that you'll never have to repay. Go and speak with your financial aid counselor to see which grant programs you may qualify for and then fill out the Free Application For Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply.
Having your entire college education paid for with scholarships is not an easy feat, but not impossible by any means. Accomplishing this requires an average to good academic record, research and planning and most of all hard work. However, graduating debt free or very near to it should make it all worthwhile.
Article Resources:Bright Futures Scholarships
The U.S. Department of Education
Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA)
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