It doesn't have to stop you from going to college.You can get scholarships to help pay for your education.You don't have to pay them back.What do you have to do to get scholarships?We can help with the answers to your most important scholarship questions.
Step 1: Look at the colleges you're considering.
It's a good idea to see what each school has to offer, even if you haven't applied yet.You can find scholarships listed in the financial aid section of your application, but you may be able to find more information on the school's website.
Step 2: Check with your guidance counselor.
In addition to information about school-based, federal, and state scholarships, you might also find out about scholarships offered by local organizations or companies that you wouldn't have heard of otherwise.If you're a member of a religious community, you should check with your church, temple, or synagogue to see if they offer any scholarships.
Step 3: You can use an online scholarship search.
There are lots of sites that offer scholarship searches.The US Department of Labor sponsors Career One Stop, one of the most popular free search sites.FastWeb and Scholarships.com are popular databases.You don't have to pay a website to get scholarship information.
Step 4: That depends on what the scholarship is for.
Some scholarships are only available to students who meet a certain grade point average.They are also offered to students who are majoring in a specific field, students of a particular ethnicity, or who participate in athletics.One of your parents may need to work at a certain company in order to be eligible for a scholarship.To get a scholarship from the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, you need a 3.0 grade point average and good character and leadership.Look for scholarships based on your career choice.If you want to become a nurse, you can apply for scholarships like the A Nurse I Am scholarship.To win the Stuck at prom scholarship, you have to make and wear your prom outfit entirely out of Duck tape.
Step 5: It's a good idea to apply as early as possible.
Between your junior and senior year of high school, is when you should start researching scholarships.You have to apply for scholarships as early as a year before college begins.You can apply for scholarships after you're in college.To be sure, check the deadline information.It's important to keep track of all the due dates with a calendar or spreadsheet.
Step 6: Pick a few scholarships that fit your interests.
It can seem overwhelming at first, because there are so many scholarships.If you feel like you're a good fit for a scholarship, focus on finding it.Maybe you aren't as confident about scholarships that you qualify for.You don't have to be a perfect candidate for a scholarship if you meet the basic requirements.It is possible that you are the best fit for all of the applicants.The more scholarships you apply to, the better your chances of getting one.
Step 7: You will usually need your transcript and basic info about yourself.
You'll need to include things like your date of birth, where you plan to go to school, and what you want to do after you graduate.You need to provide references and write an essay for many scholarships.Every scholarship has its own set of requirements so be sure to read the application closely.Before you can be eligible for a scholarship, you need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.If you're an adult, the amount of help you need to pay for college depends on your parents' incomes.
Step 8: How you stand out can be shown in your essay.
This is your moment to shine, so don't see the essay as an obstacle.Share a personal story that demonstrates why you're a great candidate after reading the essay prompt carefully.If you have to tell a story about overcoming a challenge, talk about how you felt as you faced the problem, a little background to explain why it was such a big deal for you, and what you summoned the strength and courage to succeed.There are ways to relate to the organization's mission statement.If you're applying to a faith-based school, you might mention how your belief in God helped you during a hard time.
Step 9: Ask.
If you give them an idea of what you want them to include in their letter, they will be more likely to write it.Make sure you get the references back in time for your scholarship deadline by following up with them.They will have plenty of time to finish your letter if you ask several weeks before the application deadline.If you apply for more than one scholarship, you can reuse your references.
Step 10: Merit or need-based scholarships are available.
You have to meet certain requirements in order to receive a merit-based scholarship.There are scholarships for everything from playing an instrument to being a twin.It can take a long time to find a scholarship that suits you, but if you're persistent, you can almost certainly find something.Students who are facing financial hardship are the ones who get need-based scholarships.These are often referred to as grants.
Step 11: While you're in school, focus on academics and extracurriculars.
If you were a good student, active in your school and community, and demonstrated leadership, you are more likely to win a scholarship.If you have specific goals in mind, a scholarship committee might see you as a good investment.
Step 12: You can apply for smaller and local scholarships.
It's tempting to only apply to scholarships that offer a lot of money, but remember that you'll have to compete with more people for those.If you get a lot of smaller scholarships, they can add up quickly and you may have a better chance of winning.When you apply for scholarships that are only available to students who live in your city or state, you might be one of only a few candidates.
Step 13: You should organize your application process.
Save all of the scholarships you're considering to a spreadsheet as you search for scholarships.You need to include the deadline in your application.You'll be less likely to miss out on an opportunity if you're more organized.It is possible to dedicate a few hours each week to finding and applying for scholarships.
Step 14: Not all of them are.
Some scholarships, especially the ones offered by an institution or a large organization, might be enough to cover all four years of your college education.Some scholarships will only cost a few hundred dollars.Even small amounts can add up when you start looking at tuition.