In this blog post, we will uncover some valuable tips to help you navigate the scholarship landscape and increase your chances of securing funding for college.
1. Start Early
Firstly, a great tip is to start your search for scholarships early! So, don’t wait until the last minute to find the scholarship and rush to meet the deadline.
In order to save time, try searching for well matching scholarships during your junior year to save some time with the search during your senior year.
Likewise, researching scholarships can take the longest amount of time. Because of this, try maximizing your time by researching early. Then, easily pull up your matched scholarships and simply fill out the application.
Ways to start early:
- Start researching scholarships in sophomore/junior year
- Create a list of eligible scholarships
- Utilize college search engines
- Ask current seniors which scholarships they applied to
This will generate more time for you to apply to as many scholarships as possible.
2. Organize Your Search
Secondly, keep a detailed record of potential scholarships, including deadlines, eligibility criteria, links and required documents.
Here are some systems you can organize your search:
- Google Sheets
- Excel
- Notion
These softwares are all great tools to keep your scholarship applications organized and easily accessible.
3. Write Stellar Essays
Thirdly, many scholarships require essays as part of the application process. So take the time to craft compelling and authentic essays that showcase your personality, experiences, and goals.
Ways to craft scholarship essays:
- Read the prompt
- Highlight your achievements
- Proofread and edit
- Seek feedback
4. Secure Strong Letters of Recommendations
Another tip is to reach out to teachers, mentors, or community leaders you are well connected to. In fact, a well-crafted letter of recommendation can significantly enhance your scholarship application.
Potential people to ask for recommendations:
- Teachers
- Mentors
- Coaches
- School counselors
- Volunteer supervisors
- Employer
- Community Leader
When you get started, don’t be afraid to reach out to your recommenders multiple times for various applications.
Then, make sure to give them about a month’s notice as a courtesy of their time.
5. Be Mindful of Deadlines
Additionally, missing a scholarship deadline is the equivalent to closing a door to a potential opportunity.
As a result, set reminders and stay on top of application deadlines to ensure you submit your materials in a timely manner.
Ways to set reminders:
- Set alarms
- Use your phone calendar
- Set up multiple notifications
- Use a planner
6. Use Online Resources
For the most part, there are numerous online platforms with great college resources and many will gather lists of scholarship opportunities.
Here is a list of great scholarship search engines:
- Fastweb
- Chegg
- College Board Scholarship Search
- Peterson’s Scholarship Search
- Appily
- Niche
- Scholarships.com
- Unigo
- GoingMerry
Although online resources can be a great tool to help with finding scholarships, be wary of online scams. If a scholarship is asking you to pay money, then do not apply.
After all, applying to scholarships should always be free.
7. Rely on School Counselors
In most cases, your school counselors will often be the first point of contact for local scholarships.
So, make sure to get to know your counselors. Because if they come across a scholarship that might be a good fit, they are likely to let you know.
In addition, school counselors would be a great resource to ask for letters of recommendations. So definitely try to get to know your counselors and utilize those connections.
Here are some ways to build a relationship with your school counselor:
- Set up quarterly meetings
- Discuss scheduling, college fit, grades, classes
- Attend college planning events
- Let them know about your extracurricular involvements
- Express your goals and concerns
8. Highlighting Achievements & Extracurricular Activities
Emphasize your achievements, leadership roles, and involvement in extracurricular activities.
For instance, students can keep a journal or spreadsheet to easily keep track of every action taken in a club, project, or activity.
Examples of action items or accomplishments to keep track of:
- Facilitated this month’s meeting by giving general announcements
- Met with club leaders to discuss details of next event
- Order t-shirts for club fundraiser
- Collaborated with Ms. Smith to discuss planning logistics for the club
- Helped my teammate practice their dribbles
In sum, by keeping track of a list of actions and accomplishments, students can easily highlight their strengths and achievements.
9. Stay Persistent & Apply Regularly
Scholarship opportunities are diverse, and new ones become available regularly.
Accordingly, stay persistent in your search and apply to multiple scholarships to increase your chances of success.
Here are some best practices for staying persistent:
- Set clear goals
- Create a schedule
- Use a planner or calendar
- Create an organized system
- Set reminders
- Celebrate small wins
- Stay informed about new opportunities
- Seek support from counselors, mentors, friends or family
10. Check for Local Scholarships
Explore local scholarship opportunities offered by community organizations, businesses, and foundations. Furthermore, local scholarships may have fewer applicants, providing you with a higher chance of receiving an award.
Potential areas to check for local scholarships:
- School counselors
- College & career center
- Your school’s website
- School district office
- Local businesses
11. Create Templates for Common Elements
Develop templates for common elements of scholarship applications, such as your personal statement or resume. In addition, having a baseline template can save time and make it easier to tailor applications to specific requirements.
Here are some tips on creating templates for common elements:
- Craft a general personal statement
- Highlight key achievements
- Include a paragraph about community involvement
- Craft a unique opening and closing
- Tailor to scholarship criteria
- Adapt for word limits
- Update regularly
Conclusion:
In conclusion, proactive planning, persistence, and personalized applications are key in securing scholarships for your educational journey.
By starting early, staying organized, and leveraging online resources, you pave the way for success in the competitive landscape of scholarship opportunities.