How Will I Receive My Scholarship Or Grant Money
Lets say you win a scholarship . Can you expect someone to come knocking at your door with a giant check or sack of cash? Well, unfortunately not. Its much less theatrical than that, but it should be a seamless transaction.
Usually, the money from government or private scholarships and grants will go straight to your college account, where it will be applied to any tuition, fees, or other outstanding balances. It may also be sent by check or direct deposit into your bank account. If you dont know how you will receive your grant or scholarship money, ask the organization that is providing it.
Depending on the type of aid you receive, the money may be sent as a complete amount or multiple disbursements that add up to the total scholarship amount.
Why & How To Apply To Everything
From here, the strategy is simple: Its time to apply to ALL of them. This might seem like an incredibly daunting task. After all, these applications generally require you to do two things:
However, theres an easier way to go about the process that doesnt involve writing 60+ unique essays. Dont get me wrong: Each scholarship application is going to take time and a bit of nuance in order to create a compelling case for you thatll have the reader clamoring to give you the scholarship money. But you can make the process a lot more effective and simple if you just look at the letters of recommendation and essays.
Can I Win Multiple Scholarships
Yes, but typically not from the same scholarship provider during the same award year. If you’re applying to more than one scholarship, be sure to keep your applications organized. Sending the wrong materials to the wrong scholarship committee can guarantee you won’t be receiving those funds for college.
You May Like: Where Can I Get Free College Textbooks
Start Your Scholarship Applications Early
Just as your college or graduate program application starts long before you send in your personal statement and transcripts , your chances of getting scholarships will be greater if you start thinking about what would make you a desirable applicant as early as possiblewhether thats while youre still in your senior year of high school or undergraduate studies.
Different scholarships will take into account a variety of factors, but youll generally set yourself up for success by getting good grades, participating in extracurricular activities, and building relationships with teachers, professors, and other people who can speak favorably on your behalf.
In addition, many scholarships will require a written submissionso dont shirk your writing classes. Your skills in writing quickly and efficiently will be useful when completing multiple essays both for your school applications as well as the scholarships.
Yes You Can Still Apply For Scholarships While In College
Applying for scholarships shouldnt stop when you get into college. In fact, thats the perfect time to ramp up your applications and prepare for the coming years. While many scholarships are made for first-year students, but thats not all of them. The guide below will help you find scholarships throughout college.
Recommended Reading: Watch College Softball Online
Keep Applying For Scholarships In College
Most students think that once theyve started college, its too late to apply for scholarships. This is just flat wrong. Not only can you still apply for scholarships while youre in college, but there are also many scholarships only available to current college students.
For instance, FastWeb has an entire page called Scholarships for College Freshman. And there are many scholarships available even beyond your freshman year, such as those for students with a particular major or membership in a particular organization. Some just require you to be in college .
Plus, applying for scholarships while youre in college puts you at an advantage. Since most students dont think about this option, youll be competing against fewer people. This boosts your chances of getting the scholarships you apply for.
How To Find Scholarships That Will Pay Thousands
If youre a high school student, you have a lot of scholarship resources available to you. They can be broken up into five areas:
With these resources, youll be able to earn thousands of dollars in scholarship money. Heres how:
Tapping into high school career centers
First, go to your high school career center. If your high school doesnt have a career center, your schools counselor can help you find similar resources online or in your local community. Most high school career centers keep an updated list of scholarships sorted by date. Go through this list and make note of every single scholarship that applies to you. Even if you think it could be a stretch, write it down. You never know what will pay off later.
You should literally be writing down the following information for each one youll need it when you actually start the application process. I suggest you write down:
- the scholarship name
- the amount its worth
- a due date
- whether or not youve applied yet
Do this in a Google or Excel spreadsheet so you can easily search, filter, and update from any device later.
When youre applying for dozens of scholarships, its going to be critical that you stay organized so you dont burn out. Of course, you can be as detailed as you want with your spreadsheet and include things like GPA requirements and whether or not you need an essay.
Pro tip: tap into other schools
Searching college scholarship sites
Recommended Reading: Used College Books Website
Grants Scholarships And Loan Programs
- NYS Grants
| Tuition Assistance Program | The Tuition Assistance Program , New York’s largest grant program, helps eligible New York residents attending in-state postsecondary institutions pay for tuition. TAP grants are based on the applicants and his or her familys New York State taxable income. |
| The NYS Aid for Part-time Study program provides grant assistance for eligible part-time students enrolled in approved undergraduate studies. |
| Provided to New York State residents interested in high quality opportunities in community service. |
| Federal Grant | |
|---|---|
| Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant | A student who is not eligible for a Pell Grant, but whose parent or guardian was a member of the U.S. Armed Forces and died as a result of service performed in Iraq or Afghanistan after September 11, 2001 may be eligible to receive the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant. |
Other College Costs To Consider
A scholarship may be described as full ride, but that doesnt always mean that every expense will be covered. Here are other costs you should consider even if you get a full ride scholarship:
Book fees and studying supplies can add up quickly. You may be required to get a dozen books a year, or even a new computer for studying and writing.
Your scholarship might pay for all, some or none of your room and board. In some areas , the cost of living can be incredibly high, meaning youll need to budget for this.
While students go to college to learn, theyll need money for personal expenses, like buying new clothes or going to the movies. Full ride scholarships are rarely going to cover these expenses.
Many students leave their home city and state to pursue an education. Visiting their families for the holidays or during the summer means travelling, and plane tickets can add up.
Also Check: Is Grammarly Free For College Students
Use Scholarship Search Engines To Expand Your Search
Even if youve exhausted your local scholarship options, there are plenty more out there. Its just a matter of choosing which are worth your time. Here are some resources to start your search:
Make sure you filter strategically to find those for which youre most likely to have a strong application. FastWeb, for example, lists scholarships by year of study, scholarships for veterans, scholarships for bilingual students you name it. Make sure youre only searching for scholarships that fit your profile.
Look for scholarships offered by industry associations in your career path of choice. Are you an undergraduate looking to go into nursing? The Foundation of the National Student Nurses Association offers undergraduate and graduate scholarships for nurses. Are you a graduate student in electrical engineering? Then check out Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Bottom line, find scholarships that require some sort of additional qualification to apply for to increase your chances.
Can I Still Receive A Scholarship Even If I Do Not Qualify For Financial Aid
Yes, there are plenty of scholarships that arenât based on financial need. Play to your strengths: If you have a high GPA, apply for academic scholarships, if youâre a great writer, apply foressay and poetry scholarships. If you’re creative, apply for art and design scholarships and so forth. You could have your entire tuition covered by scholarships if you do your due diligence, which means you’ll graduate with zero student loan debt.
You May Like: Where Can I Get Free College Textbooks
How Do You Apply For Scholarships For Current College Students
You first must search for scholarships that you may qualify for. Then, gather all of the necessary information and documents that the application asks for. When searching and applying for scholarships, be careful of scams. They may ask you to pay a fee to apply for an award. Scams may likely ask you for your bank and social security information.
Here are six things to keep in mind about applying for scholarships once you have started your college education:
Take Note Of The Scholarship Deadline
Getting your scholarship application in order may involve various steps and will take time, so make sure you start the process at least a month before the deadline.
Its better to get your applications in earlier than later to give yourself time to account for unexpected delays. It also gives you the advantage of offering the scholarship award committee a sneak peek at your stellar time management skills. So get those deadlines on the calendar in bold print and fight the urge to procrastinate.
Most scholarship applications will require:
- High school transcripts and diplomas
- Two or three letters of recommendation
- A resume
- A completed FAFSA or your parents tax receipts
Don’t Miss: How Much Does It Cost To Go To Berkeley College
Know Your Scholarship Deadlines
When I was applying to college, I came across a large scholarship that required a 1,500-word essay. There was just one problem: the scholarship application was due by midnight of that day.
I frantically banged out an essay and submitted it at the very last minute . Unsurprisingly, I didnt get the scholarship.
Learn from my mistake. Dont miss out on a scholarship just because youre unaware of the application deadline.
Whenever you find a scholarship you want to apply for, put the application deadline on your calendar. This way, youll never miss out just because you forgot when the application was due.
Scholarship Myth #: My B Student Cant Get An Academic Scholarship
Wrong. Even your average student can get an academic scholarship, if you apply carefully . By carefully, I mean you need to find schools where your student stands out. These are schools where your students grades and scores put her in the top 25 percent of the applicant pool. Remember, colleges use merit aid to lure top students to their campus. At many campuses, a top student is not straight-A everything in high school.
How to find these schools? Start at collegeboard.org/college-search. Enter your students SAT or ACT scores in the filterand any other requirements you have, like say locationand youll get a list of schools where your students scores are a close match or above. Use that list to find schools where your students scores and GPA are in the top 25 percent . Then head over to the Paying tab for that school and see how much in non-need based aid they offer .
Recommended Reading: Where To Watch College Baseball World Series
How Can Scholarship Money Be Spent
Scholarship checks awarded in your name can be spent on anything, but you would be wise to look at this as an investment and not a free pass to splurge on video games or concert tickets. This money is for school expenses. This could mean tuition, but it could also be books, pencils, housing, food or even computers and software.
When you receive the scholarship money depends on the scholarship you won. Sometimes you get the money in one chunk before school begins, and in other cases the money is distributed in installments. Sometimes a scholarship may be paid out in the middle of a semester.
Top Scholarships For College Students In :
- Eligibility: Easy scholarship open to any student who creates a Scholarships360 account!
- Amount: $1,000
- Eligibility: Open to all high school and college students
- Amount: $2,000
- Eligibility: Open to college students who are at least 18 years old
- Award: $4,000
- Eligibility: High school, college, community and graduate students
- Amount: $2,000
- Eligibility: Open to all high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students.
- Amount: $1,000
- Eligibility: High school and college students
- Amount: $1,000
- Eligibility: Open to all high school students, college students, community college students, and graduate students
- Amount: $10,000
- Eligibility: Currently enrolled as a high school senior, or in a community college, undergraduate, graduate, technical college, or vocational program
- Amount: $2,000
- Deadline: Deadlines are as follows: Winter: April 16, Spring: July 17, Summer: October 14, and Fall: January 15 at 11:59 p.m. PST of each year
- Eligibility: Open to all college and graduate students who share a project they are/have worked on that demonstrates their ability as an engineer
- Amount: $5,000
- Eligibility: Students at every level of education who share their passion for natural foods & the environment
- Amount: $1,000
- Eligibility: Open to all undergraduate and graduate students who create amazing job candidate profiles on the WayUp platform
- Amount: $1,000
- Eligibility: High school seniors and college students with an interest in Web Design
- Amount: $1,000
You May Like: What I Need For My College Dorm
Check For Religious Scholarships
If youre part of a religious organization, they may offer scholarships. This could range from something as specific as a scholarship available to members of your local congregation/parish/community, or a national scholarship available to any member of a certain faith.
To find these scholarships, ask your religious leader. You can also check the website for your particular religious organization.
Will I Have To Reapply Each Year Such As Required For Fafsa
Scholarships generally come in three varieties: one-time, renewable, or renewable with stipulations. One-time awards are granted only once, while renewable scholarships are granted each year. Some are dispensed automatically each year after the initialaward but most renewable awards call for the recipient to reapply or provide transcripts and progress reports to ensure they are still meeting the guidelines set by the scholarship committee. If you were awarded for your stellar grades or athletic achievement, a low GPA or nonparticipation on a university team could discontinue your award so check with yourscholarship provider to determine what is required for continued funding.
Read Also: What Colleges Are Still Accepting Applications For Fall 2021
How To Afford Expensive Schools
If youre an average high schooler, getting enough money to afford to attend an expensive or prestigious school can seem overwhelming. Sure, if you can get in, top-tier universities will take care of you in a number of ways. And yes, if youre good enough includes incredibly complex socio-economic connotations, all of which we cant address here. I simply want to highlight the mistaken belief that money is holding students back from attending top-tier colleges because of tuition costs.
No. Its not. If youre good enough to get in, top-tier universities will take care of you, financially as well by helping you get a higher salary and a built-in network. Remember, college is not a technical school. Theres more to it than assessing how much money youll make once you graduate like so many people try to claim. There are ineffable qualities to being surrounded by an extremely high caliber of peers.
Im not even saying, Go to a top-tier university . But dont be afraid to apply to them just because of money. In fact, tuition should be one of the LAST decisions you make. Stop thinking about the money upfront. First, focus on getting into the best schools possible, whatever that means for you. Once you secure admission, worry about the finances by using the advice in this article to get lots of scholarship money.
Remember, if youve been accepted, the universities want you there, and they have large scholarship funds to ensure that you enroll at their school.
How To Apply To Easy Scholarships
The best strategy for applying to easy scholarships is to cast a wide net. Easy scholarships are more difficult to win, because the application is easy and there are more applicants. In addition to applying to easy scholarships, you should also apply to scholarships with more specific requirements .
Easy scholarships should represent a small number of your overall scholarship applications. They are easy scholarships to apply for which means that many other students are applying too .
You will want to make sure that you are also applying to other scholarships with more specific and substantial requirements. Statistically, these scholarships will provide you with better chances to win, because there are less applicants and the scholarship committee is looking for candidates that fit the scholarship criteria.
Recommended Reading: Pell Grants For Single Mothers