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Scholarships

This Research Guide has been designed to assist you in your search for scholarship money.

Things you need to know when applying for a scholarship:

  • DEADLINE - When is the application due? scholarship committees are working on a hard and fast timeline they WILL NOT accept late applications! Know your deadline and keep to it!

  • FAFSA - Is it necessary to include a copy of your current or upcoming semester FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) with your scholarship application? 

  • ESSAY - Is an essay required? Make certain that your essay answers all the questions and meets the requirements of the writing prompt provided on the scholarship application. Check and double check, maybe even have a tutor from the San Jac Student Success Center read over your scholarship essay for you before you submit it with your application.

  • WHAT KIND OF SCHOLARSHIP IS IT? - is it need based, merit based, competition based, participation based, or demographic based? Scholarships are awarded by a variety of institutions, groups, businesses, and individuals. Different types of scholarships have different requirements for their application.

  • READ THE INSTRUCTIONS!!!!! READ THEM ALL THE WAY THROUGH!!! READ THEM MORE THAN ONCE AND UNTIL YOU UNDERSTAND THEM COMPLETELY!!!!

1. Look for Scholarships anywhere and everywhere.

2. Learn who can apply:

Anyone who is going to be attending college next year can apply for scholarships. This includes current high school seniors and current college students. Different scholarships have different eligibility requirements, so check and make sure you meet all the requirements for a scholarship before you apply.

3. Know when to apply:

The best time to apply is right now. It is never too early to look and apply for scholarships. Even if the due date is still months away, it’s good to get a head start. Late winter and early spring tend to be primetime scholarship seasons for the next academic year and the time frame when most scholarships will be offered.

4. Be ready to get started:

It’s good to be prepared. There are several common requirements for scholarship applications, so get your application materials ready early. In addition to requiring an essay, some scholarships will also require the following things:

  • Information about your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) application (so complete the FAFSA® form as soon as it becomes available!)
  • At least one letter of recommendation from a teacher, counselor, or someone else familiar with your academic achievements
  • A professional picture of you—it doesn’t have to be an actual professional headshot, but it should be appropriate (senior pictures are good for this)
  • Your latest transcript

5. Put in the time on the essay:

A lot of scholarship essay assignments are similar and want you to answer questions like, “What is your biggest accomplishment in life?” You might be able to save time by reusing your responses.

Many scholarship applications will ask for rather dry and academic responses, but sometimes you can use your hobbies as material for your essays. That makes the writing easier. And fun essay prompts do exist (such as your best food experience or an impactful memory you’ve had while traveling).

Ask several people (preferably people who have recent experience with essay writing or reviewing) to look over your essay and give you feedback. And give yourself time to check your essay for typos before you send it in.

6. Organize your applications:

You’ll have the best chance at success if your applications are organized and turned in on time. Consider the following tips:

  • Sort your applications by due date and complete them in the order they’re due. Keep in mind that some require more work (letters of recommendation, a longer essay, etc.) and may take more time.
  • Make sure your essay follows the instructions and is within the word limit.
  • Try to submit your application at least a day ahead of the deadline. Right before the deadline, scholarship websites can experience a high influx of activity and get clogged up or even shut down.
  • Make sure you include all the required materials and submit everything properly.

 

Activity-Based Scholarships:

Some scholarships are based on a student’s involvement with a profession, hobby, or extracurricular activities. In some cases, funding for this type of aid comes from philanthropic donations or foundations that are partnered with the school. For example, Coastal Carolina University offers scholarships that are awarded for students’ participation in a club or their involvement in community service on campus. The scholarships are organized by the university’s Coastal Educational Foundation and funded by donors.

Athletic Scholarships: 

Athletic scholarships are a type of aid based on a student’s participation in a variety of sports ranging from football to hockey. Some scholarships offer full rides covering the entire cost of tuition, room and board, and books. Athletic scholarships help college and university sports teams attract and recruit talent to play for them. Like many scholarships, this type of aid also typically requires that a student meet certain qualifications in addition to their athletic abilities, like a minimum GPA, leadership skills, and extracurricular activities. Some scholarships may also require that students demonstrate financial need.

Employer Sponsored Tuition Assistance:

Through financial assistance, employers can sometimes make the difference that enables someone to complete a post-secondary education. Employer-sponsored scholarships and tuition assistance are provided by a company to support employees seeking to further their education and skills. Companies such as UPS, Chipotle, Walmart, and Starbucks are just a handful of employers that will financially support their employees who go back to school. Chipotle will cover the entirety of an employee’s tuition depending on the program. Whether they’re part-time or full-time employees, Starbucks will pay 100% of the tuition for students who choose to get their bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University via its online program.

Government Scholarships:

Aside from offering student grants and loans, the government – whether local, state, or federal – also offers scholarships. These options vary across the country, so requirements to qualify for this type of aid will also vary. For example, California offers a government scholarship to students that have been in the foster care system. The state of Massachusetts provides scholarships to anyone considered the “head-of-household” with children under 18 and at risk of homelessness with its One Family Scholarship Program. Government scholarships can also go toward specific programs such as helping students afford studying abroad.

Identity Based Scholarships:

An identity-based scholarship is a type of financial aid that is typically awarded to underrepresented groups to encourage participation in programs and fields that tend to be homogenous. This can include students who are from specific ethnic and cultural backgrounds, are part of the LGBTQ+ community, or who have learning or mobility differences. Identity-based scholarships are often offered by third-party organizations like the Point Foundation, which offers the BIPOC Scholarship for LGBTQ Students, or the Hispanic Scholarship Fund. Aside from a specific identity, many of these scholarships require a certain GPA or pursuit of a certain subject or career field.

Merit Aid:

Merit aid is a form of financial assistance that is given based on a student’s skill or academic accomplishments. These can include athletic or artistic abilities, high test scores, or excellent grades. Merit aid scholarships can be a way for colleges and universities to attract top talent to their campuses, rewarding students for their hard work and skills. Typically, if students receive merit aid, they may be required to maintain their school work above a certain grade point average, or GPA. The National Merit Scholarship Program is one such way students can earn merit aid, and high school students will need to take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test in order to qualify.

Military Scholarships:

According to a 2020 report by the National Center for Education Statistics, there were nearly 1.2 million military undergraduate students and 241,000 graduate students from 2015 to 2016. Scholarships are available for all five branches of the U.S. armed forces: the Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy. This type of aid typically goes to active or reserve service members and veterans. In some cases, military scholarships may even extend to family members. As with most scholarships, this type of aid may be dependent on grades or financial need.

Need-Based Aid:

Need-based aid scholarships are determined by students’ financial situation rather than only on their merit. This often means the student’s family has a household income that does not exceed a certain threshold. For example, the Greenhouse Scholars Program is offered to students who have a household income below $70,000. However, depending on the scholarship, some programs may have additional requirements as well like a minimum GPA, academic accomplishments, demonstration of leadership, and extracurricular activities. Some scholarships, like The Gates Scholarship, only cover expenses left after any other federal financial aid has been disbursed, so always read the terms of a need-based scholarship when applying.

These are just some of the examples of the variety of scholarships available to students to help cover the cost of college. Take the time to do your research to make sure you meet all of the criteria and eligibility. And keep applying for scholarships year-round, as every little bit helps.

Information above from https://www.collegeave.com/articles/breaking-down-types-of-scholarships/

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