Photo by Yan Krukau
Scholarships are the key to making college dreams more affordable, and the earlier you start, the better! If you’re looking to snag some scholarship money, below are some tips to help you stand out and maximize your chances of winning.
1. Stay informed
Scholarships can sound very overwhelming. To get your familiar with the process, let’s start with some rapid fire questions!
When do I start applying to scholarships?
In your senior year of high school!
How do I know if I’m eligible for scholarships?
Scholarships will always have information about eligibility on the application. Read carefully!
I don’t have a good standardized testing score. Should I even try?
100% yes! Some scholarships will not ask for your score at all!
I don’t think I’m considered for needs based scholarships. Do I have any luck?
Yes! Though most scholarships are needs based, a good search can land merit-based scholarships!
I feel lost about this. Who should I go to?
Definitely talk with your school counselor! Not only are they knowledge about scholarships, but they can even refer you to ones! Reddit is also a great place to discover scholarships or get proofreading help (though since it’s an online community, stay safe with what information is out there!)
2. Start Early
Make sure to start as early as possible. Begin your scholarship search in August of your senior year and start applying by September. This gives you plenty of time to research, prepare, and stay ahead of deadlines. Plus, starting early means less stress when things get hectic later in the school year. Remember, even if the fall semester has passed, that doesn’t mean there’s nothing left for you! While it is ideal to start in the fall, thousands of scholarships run through the spring, and even the summer. Better late than never!
3. Start Local
Check out scholarships in your city or state first. Local organizations often offer scholarships with less competition compared to national ones. Reach out to community groups, businesses, or even your school counselor for leads.
4. Make Your Search Specific
Tailor your search to YOU. Look for scholarships based on your gender, future major, career goals, personal experiences, or challenges you’ve faced. The more specific the scholarship criteria match your life, the better your chances of standing out. Take advantage of your differences! There are scholarships for all types of criteria, even tall people and gingers!
5. Keep a Tracker
One of the best tips for receiving scholarships is to have a tracker. Use a spreadsheet or notebook to jot down each scholarship, its deadline, and what’s required (like essays or recommendation letters). This way, nothing slips through the cracks, and you’ll feel super prepared. This is the tracker I use and it is very detailed and helpful!
6. Get Recommendation Letters/Documents Early
Some scholarships require recommendation letters, so be sure to check which ones do and ask your teachers or mentors for them as soon as possible. Giving them plenty of time shows respect for their schedule and ensures your letters are thoughtful and detailed. The absolute worst situation is finding an amazing scholarship, but not having enough time to request a recommendation. Don’t worry about asking for too many, teachers will most likely reuse what they’ve written!
7. Watch Out for Scams
Stay safe while searching! Avoid scholarships that ask for your Social Security number, charge a fee to apply, or seem sketchy. Checking the winner list can ensure validity as well as if the scholarship is outdated or not. Some scholarships will slowly stop after a few years, but never disclose it directly. When in doubt, run it through your school counselor.
8. Reuse Essays and Extracurricular Descriptions
Always remember–work smarter, not harder. Many scholarships have similar prompts, so don’t be afraid to reuse essays and activity descriptions where it makes sense. Be sure to tweak them to fit the specific scholarship requirement!
9. Don’t Dismiss Small Scholarships
Even small scholarships add up! A $500 award might not seem like much, but a few of those can help cover books or other expenses. Plus, smaller awards usually have fewer applicants, so your chances of winning are higher.
10. Stay Competitive
Scholarship applications are like mini competitions, so don’t hold back! Showcase why you’re the best fit by highlighting your extracurriculars, achievements, and goals. Submit as many applications as you can—you never know which one might be your ticket to success.
I hope these tips make you feel better about your scholarship journey! If you’re looking for a general scholarship community, check out r/scholarships on Reddit! I found most of the scholarships I applied to through there! For more scholarship tips, check out this Girlspring article about business scholarships and helpful information! Best of luck!
