Ten Things You Should Know About Scholarships
1. Look in multiple places for information:
· Counselors
· Libraries
· Faculty Advisors
· Local businesses and club
· The internet
2. Never pay for a scholarship search: you may receive mailings or emails from companies that offer to do scholarship searches for a fee. You can access any information they offer for free.
3. Search free web sites for scholarships: set a goal of one per week and you will have plenty of time to look before scholarships are due next year!
4. Pay attention to scholarships applications. Some sources want you to submit something on paper with multiple copies of supporting transcripts or letter. Other sources allow you to apply on-line.
5. Start looking early. Well, you can’t start in kindergarten, but this summer would be great to start looking around. WATCH for deadlines! The most common reason for not being awarded a scholarship is failing to meet the deadline!
6. Consider your chances good. Don’t listen to that little voice inside that lacks confidence. Scholarships are available to nearly anyone who is willing to put in the time to research the sources and follow through. As soon as you are willing to do that, you are in a select minority. Many scholarships are awarded based on scholastic achievement (high gpa). However, there are other criteria for many others:
· Leadership
· Athletics
· Talent in performing arts
· Veterans
· Financial need
· Talents in particular areas such as foreign language or mathematics
· Ethnic background: Italian, Lithuanian, Swedish……
· Religious background
· Non-traditional students: older students, women, GBLT students
· Members of 4-H
· Club participation
7. Work to improve your scholarship potential: Aim for 3.0 and higher
8. Many scholarships renew for the following year if you maintain a good scholastic record.
9. There are rarely limits to the amount of scholarship money you can receive. Sometimes there are limits associated with athletic or tuition-only scholarships, but other than that, you can apply for more! After all, the more money you coming in to support you and pay for tuition and books, the less time you will have to work.
10. You can receive scholarships AND financial aid. While it is true that scholarships may reduce the amount of aid you will receive, it will still reduce your work-study and loans. You will need to consult the college to which you are transferring to find out the policy of that college.