How to Receive a Scholarship
Introduction
College is becoming progressively more expensive every year. With some universities costing upwards of $40,000/year not including living expenses, scholarships are not only becoming a bonus, they are becoming a necessity. Further, making college even more financially challenging are the ever more competitive students applying to undergrad and graduate school. This makes it more difficult to achieve acceptable grades while working full or even part time. What many people fail to understand is that earning scholarships can often times be significantly more financially helpful than having a job.
Completing a scholarship application, although well worth your effort, is not only time consuming, but complex. From all the forms/documents and the various types of scholarships to the actual essay and the little secrets that give you a competitive advantage, we are here to help you through the whole process. Whether you are already in college, finishing high school, or just interested in how to make money through a few essays, you’ll benefit from this valuable information.
At the same time, remember that your interview begins the moment you drive into the parking lot. Receptionists and other staff can -- and usually do -- pass along their opinions, and these can go a lot farther than you think toward determining who they’ll be working with in the future. Treat everyone you meet as if they had a say on hiring you, because they might.
Types of Scholarships
There are various types of scholarships (more information on another page):
1. University
Athletic
Academic
Departmental
2. Private
Corporations
Religious
Military
3. State and Federal
Pell Grants
Need based
How Scholarships are Selected
Understanding the selection process of scholarships is important to increase your chances of winning by knowing what the evaluators are seeking.
Step 1
The first thing to realize is that scholarship committees receive far too many applications to review. Consequently, they perform a very simple but efficient first sorting process.
1. Incomplete applications are removed first.
2. If an application has spelling errors, it will also be removed.
Therefore, despite your confidence in writing, have someone experienced with essays check your work.
By far, the majority of the applications is removed during this first step. Although this may seem like a concern, you must realize that this works in your favor. Even if you are not the best candidate, you have a great advantage if you have all your materials for the application completed and you have no spelling errors. Simply follow the directions and be thorough.
Step 2
The main objective during this step is to, once again, eliminate more applicants through certain criteria. The evaluators, compiled of paid staff and judges, will look at the requirements (GPA, SAT, etc.) for the scholarship and ensure that you meet everything requested. A major method to use to place in the final round is to demonstrate that you are unique and someone to whom the evaluators can relate as well as with whom they feel will be a good recipient of the scholarship. You should also be authentic and attempt to separate yourself from all the applicants as much as possible.
Final Round
This is the last step in the selection process. It is where the evaluators look through the best of the applicants and determine, based on their criteria (leadership, GPA, extracurricular activities, etc.), who deserves to win their scholarship. They look for someone who has demonstrated valuable characteristics that will be enhanced by a college education and their financial support. Another point to remember is that people naturally gravitate towards individuals to whom they can relate, like, and connect.
After all the evaluators have chosen potential recipients, they will often discuss and vote on those applicants.
Extra
Not all scholarship selection processes are so brutal. Many try to assist everyone and to spread the finances equally over numbers of people. Take a breath…
What’s Worth Your Time?
We know that most people who feel they would be good candidates for a scholarship don’t usually have all the time in the world to apply to every option available. You are most likely busy doing sports, studying, working, helping your organization, etc. Consequently, it is convenient to grade each scholarship opportunity for which you qualify to understand which ones are most worth your time and effort.
Eligibility
To increase your chances of winning a scholarship, you must not only be eligible for it but the more difficult it is to qualify for eligibility, the better your chances due to less competition.
Competition and # of Awards
The more awards available and the less people you will potentially compete with, the better your odds. Therefore, regional and local scholarships give you a much higher probability of winning than national scholarships.
Due Dates
Depending on the due date, it may be difficult for you to meet the deadline (during major exams, planned travel, etc.). Consequently, the more convenient the scholarship deadline is for you to meet, the more consideration you should give.
Money Talks
People often overestimate the competition and underestimate themselves. The more difficult a scholarship is and the more it is worth, the less competition you will often have. The previously mentioned coupled with the fact your time is valuable means you should mainly focus on scholarships worth several thousand dollars or more unless the application process is quite simple for the alternatives.
Finding the Scholarships
The internet, being a major free resource, is a great search tool. Also, your school and guidance counselor should have several scholarship information resources. Additionally, check such organizations as religious, community service, fraternal, military, union, and professional. Often times, large companies offer scholarships or tuition programs for children of employees so ask your parents to check for these opportunities as well. Further, since many scholarships are provided by universities, look for opportunities at the schools that interest you by searching through their websites, catalogues, and financial aid offices. Lastly, you may contact your state department of higher education since most states, if you attend college in state, provide scholarship opportunities.
Preparation for the Scholarship
Getting Prepared
Since many of the same materials will be requested by most scholarships, we have constructed a list which will help you become prepared.
Letters of recommendations from teachers, guidance counselors, or leaders in the community (make copies)
High school transcript (make copies)
Résumé (make copies)
Good picture of yourself no bigger than a wallet-sized head shot (make copies)
Clear, plastic binders for organization
Additionally, it is a great idea to become involved in the community or school activities. If you do not have sufficient time, working to assist your family financially is also a wonderful activity.
Forms
Working your way through the piles of forms for each scholarship can become overwhelming. Here are some pointers to help you through the process while increasing your chances of winning.
Type your responses to the form whenever possible since legibility is extremely important as the evaluators value their time.
Use simple, common fonts such as Times New Roman.
Place your name on every page in case your papers become lose.
Avoid staples and folders unless requested. Simply do as stated on the scholarship application form.
Check for typos! Do not misspell anything. There is no faster way to get taken out of the running than to have a typo.
Put all the forms/documents in the order requested.
Do not leave any answers blank or with an “N/A.” Simply write a short explanation about why you can’t answer the question. For example, if the question is, “Where in the US were you born?,” write, “I was not born in the US.” if you were born someplace else.
Make a complete copy of the application for your records.
Use an envelope big enough to hold the application without folding it for appearance reasons.
Use a shipping method that allows you to know whether the application was received. If you don’t know within a reasonable amount of time, you should ask since your chances of earning the scholarship will be exactly zero if the appropriate people never receive it.
Research the Organization/Providers
When applying for a scholarship, it is a good idea to know who you are attempting to please. Consequently, using the internet and calling the organization/provider to answer the following questions has its advantages: Who created the organization? What’s the purpose of the organization? Why is the organization providing a scholarship? Who are the evaluators?
Now you all have enough information to feel confident that your scholarships will receive the fullest amount of attention possible. Persevere, learn from your mistakes, and, if you play the game right, you’ll have a nice smooth ride through college.
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