Scholarships

You just finished learning about the first type of "free money" (grants). Now let's shift our focus to scholarships. Scholarships, like grants, award you money that you do not have to pay back. The difference is that receiving scholarships takes more effort on your part. 

Every Scholarship is Different

Specific details about scholarship applications vary greatly depending on who is awarding the money. You could be asked to complete a one-page application and turn it into your school counselor. You could also be asked to complete an application that is several pages long, requires well-composed answers to a couple of questions, and asks for an unofficial copy of your transcript as well as letters of recommendation. Some scholarships are for small amounts, and some could cover your tuition for the entire year, or even your entire time in college. The bottom line here is that scholarships vary greatly, so there are no hard and fast rules.

Debunking Some Common Misconceptions

MYTH: You need to be a straight-A student to qualify for scholarships.

TRUTH: You do NOT need to be a straight-A student to qualify for scholarships. Some are merit-based, but many are more focused on your activities, interests, and involvement. We still recommend that you do your best to keep your GPA around a 3.0 or above, but know that it's more about what you do outside of the classroom for many scholarships.

As a note, scholarships that do take grades into consideration tend to require a 3.5 GPA or above (this is a general observation, not one based on statistics or careful study).

MYTH: You should only apply to scholarships with large awards. Smaller scholarships aren't worth your time.

TRUTH: While it's never a bad idea to apply for those big-ticket scholarships, we recommend you spend more time applying for those for smaller amounts. These scholarships typically have fewer applicants, making your odds of winning greater. The small amounts can really start to add up if you're diligent and applying for lots of different scholarships.

MYTH: You should wait until your Senior year to apply to scholarships.

TRUTH: You can, but you'll miss out on some valuable opportunities. We encourage you to start searching by halfway through your Junior year, if not at the beginning. You can start doing the legwork for some bigger scholarships, plus you can also apply for scholarships available to current Juniors (here are some examples from College Vine Links to an external site.).

MYTH: Tons of scholarship money goes unclaimed every year.

TRUTH: This is a very common misconception. There is grant money that goes unclaimed as well as employee benefits (some employers will help cover the cost of an employee's relevant education). Very few private scholarships go unclaimed.

There are, however, many scholarships, especially small, local awards, that receive very few applicants. Make sure to apply for as many of those small, local scholarships as possible; your competition will be smaller and you have a higher chance of winning the money.

Preparation & Where to Get Started

We highly recommend that you start working on three things to help you prepare for scholarship applications.

1. First, start building your Brag Sheet now. Refer to the Brag Sheet page in the Seniors - Financial Aid module to download an example.
   • Get everything you've done in high school noted on your Brag Sheet soon, and then add to it and edit it through your Junior year and the summer before Senior year.
   • Have your Brag Sheet polished by the time Senior year begins.
     
     
2. Second, start thinking about who you might as for letters of recommendation.
   • Prepare to ask them for those letters by August or September of your Senior year.
   • Give them a fresh, clean copy of your Brag Sheet when you ask for the letters.
   • Make sure to hand-deliver or send a Thank You card to those who write letters for you.
     
     
3. Third, start researching.
   • Start local and in your community first, then apply to larger national scholarships if you are eligible.
   • Ask people you know if they have scholarships available. Think about asking any of the following folks, and let us know if you have other ideas!
     • Ask people:
       • in your community
       • from your high school
       • associated with a sports team you play, coach, or volunteer for
       • who participate in your religious organization
       • from a non-profit where you volunteer
       • from the store where you work
   • Even if the scholarships are not for Juniors, asking now will give those in charge of these scholarships a heads-up that you are serious about applying and finding scholarships to support your college endeavors.
   • This is a great time to start keeping a list of scholarships Links to an external site., including when you can start applying.

 

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