9 Things You Need to Know About Scholarships

Photo by Jasmine Coro on Unsplash

For the students who are currently trying to find a scholarship or for those who are in the midst of applying for one, hold your horses and read through our guide before you continue. We’ve given some valuable information on what to consider when it comes to scholarships. So, for those who are unsure and a little bit lost, then look no further since this article was made to help you.

1. There’s A Scholarship For All Types

While some scholarships are reserved for top-performing students or ones who have very good test scores, there are a plethora of scholarships that cater to people outside this rigid category, so don’t lose hope just yet. Most students will be able to find out what they can benefit from, and that’s a fact.

Be creative, use the right keywords and research the right scholarships and info about them online. There are many resources for good information that we’ll eventually get into later in the article. And when it comes to research, don’t hesitate to order a write my essay order on Studyfy to allocate some of your school tasks to an expert writer this season. Free up some time for scholarship research.

2. Colleges Offer The Most Scholarships

Scholarships exist everywhere, but students should focus on getting the scholarships offered by the colleges they’re applying to. They should zero in on their top picks and options instead of applying aimlessly to every scholarship they find.

3. Resources For Information

Some of these websites have been provided by the U.S. Department of Education, so they’re very credible. Student Aid is one of the best links since they really go out of their way to provide extensive info on scholarships and financial aid.

Many scholarships have super early deadlines, so we recommend our readers start their research ASAP. A good time to start would be Junior year of high school. For information on national and international scholarships, take a look at some of these websites to update yourself on what needs to be known:

• Scholarships.com
• http://studentaid.ed.gov
• http://www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov
• http://www.fafsa.ed.gov
• Sallie Mae
• Chegg
• FastWeb
• Unigo

4. Beware Of Existing Scams

Make sure to check if the website that the scholarship is on is genuine and not a fake website intended to steal your information. Be sure to do this before making any transactions online. The majority of scholarships are free to apply for and usually never ask students to pay an application fee. This is one big indicator that the scholarship might be a scam.

Check reviews and feedback online before applying for one since that should help you figure out if it’s fake or not. It’s good to be cautious since losing money after filling in an extensive form for a fraudulent scholarship isn’t really a pleasant experience. Remember to check the community, website, and claims surrounding the deal you are trying to apply for.

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash

5. No Merit-Based Scholarships From Ivy League Schools

Usually, prestigious ivy league colleges and the most high-ranking colleges don’t provide students with merit-based scholarships but provide need-based financial aid. Students can visit FAFSA or CSS to file for financial aid. Ivy League schools don’t provide athletic scholarships either.

Students can still check if they desire to do so, but this is general knowledge. Perhaps we’ve missed out on some prestigious universities that might actually be offering merit-based scholarships, so don’t be discouraged.

6. Apply Early

Some scholarships out there are open for applications even before a student enters high school and is still in middle school, so if you want to strike while the iron is still burning hot, look out for those opportunities. There are even scholarships for students who are still in primary school.

By applying early, your chances of getting one bolster substantially, and apply to as many as you can. Granted, choose scholarships that suit you.

7. Be Creative

Students who don’t have good grades still have the chance to get money from a scholarship to help them out with college. Scholarships aren’t just offered by universities and colleges; students can practically find a scholarship for anything. An excellent point to start is to relate the scholarship you’re looking for with skills that you already have, like graphic design, or perhaps you’re a musician.

When students think outside the box, they’ll find more opportunities than they thought weren’t there.

8. Scholarships Exist For College Students

There are opportunities for college students too. Yes, it’s true. They are provided by local education organizations, established companies, businesses, and by institutions outside of the immediate university/college the student might be studying in.

So for our college student readers, we recommend taking the initiative to find these lucrative deals as they can seriously help with finances if you don’t have time for a part-time job or are low on funds.

9. Winning Essays Provide Concrete Examples

Just like hunting for specific job roles or trying to really impress a recruiter, or a school board admission member, a winning scholar essay has to get down and dirty and provide concrete details in order to be the chosen essay.

Concrete examples in your essay not only show leadership qualities and strength of character but it engages the reader to focus and possibly prioritize you. So, don’t be hesitant if you want to win, and make your pen (or your laptop) your sword.

Final Thoughts

We hope this article will shed some light on details you might have overlooked while applying or searching for an excellent opportunity. It can be difficult, confusing, and possibly exhausting to apply for every chance you have under the sun, but by strategizing and keeping our tips in mind, you can streamline the process.

At the end of the day, there is a vast amount of opportunities out there, so there is no need to fret. Strategize, and find the right ones. Students just need some determination and faith, and it will all work out.