Some issues about faculty scholarships are apparent – specifically, that free cash to assist pay for faculty is an effective factor. However for one thing everybody is aware of about, there are literally a number of misconceptions and myths on the market about how scholarships work and the way college students can qualify for them.
Try these six widespread myths about scholarships and learn how to make these large instruments aid you pay on your faculty schooling.
Delusion 1: It’s important to be a star scholar (or a jock, creative virtuoso, and so on.) to win scholarships
We’re not going to lie: should you’re the college valedictorian, already gained a Pulitzer, and certified for the Olympics, it’s true you’ll have a neater time getting faculty scholarships. However you don’t need to be any of these issues to earn vital quantities of scholarship cash.
All you must be is resourceful.
Seems, there are a number of scholarships on the market primarily based on all types of standards. Whereas government- and school-issued scholarships normally have a minimum of modest educational standards for candidates, personal scholarships might be primarily based on no matter standards the donor chooses.
There are scholarships primarily based on demographics resembling your faith, gender, or ethnicity, hobbies, creative pursuits, your supposed profession path, and plenty of extra. There are even scholarships on the market for super-tall individuals, or these with a sure uncommon surname. If you happen to look, chances are high you’ll discover a minimum of a couple of which can be an ideal match for you.
To make that course of simpler, verify our scholarship database that permits you to search by numerous standards so you’ll be able to dwelling in on the choices which can be the most effective match for you.
Delusion 2: School scholarships are good for all for 4 years of faculty
Some scholarships are granted as four-year awards, however many will not be. Whenever you apply for a scholarship — and particularly should you win it — be sure you perceive should you’ll must reapply yearly to proceed to obtain the scholarship.
You also needs to verify to see what standards you’ll want to meet every year to remain eligible for the scholarship — it will not essentially keep the identical. Frequent methods you may turn out to be ineligible for a scholarship you’ve already gained is that if your grades drop, you progress, or should you change majors.
Delusion 3: It’s important to apply in highschool
When you definitely ought to begin on the lookout for faculty scholarships when you’re nonetheless in highschool, you’ll be able to proceed to use for scholarships for so long as you’re at school. Some scholarships are particularly geared toward college students who’re already enrolled in faculty or pursuing graduate schooling.
And keep in mind: Simply since you didn’t qualify for a particular scholarship in highschool doesn’t essentially imply you don’t have an opportunity to win it later after you’ve confirmed your potential in faculty. If you happen to see a scholarship that you just nonetheless assume is an effective match, go for it!
Delusion 4: It takes a ton of effort to win a scholarship
It’s true, some scholarships do take a good quantity of effort to earn, together with writing an essay and gathering reference letters and different documentation. However that’s not the case for all scholarships. Tons of scholarships don’t require an essay; some take little greater than a filling out a quick type. (Our scholarship is simple to use for and your dad and mom can apply as effectively.)
The place you do wish to spend some effort is ensuring you’ve met all the necessities for a given scholarship. The very last thing you need is to overlook out on free cash since you despatched in a type a day late or forgot to incorporate a replica of your educational transcript.
Delusion 5: Solely large scholarships are price making use of for
Successful a big-name and/or big-dollar scholarship is clearly a feather in your cap in addition to a approach to deliver down your whole faculty prices. However right here’s the draw back: Any scholar with half a prayer of successful them is making use of for them, so that you face steep competitors.
Smaller scholarships and people from lesser-known establishments don’t get as a lot fanfare, however additionally they are inclined to get far fewer candidates, so the possibilities of you being the chosen grantee are significantly better.
Give it some thought: Let’s say a rural county’s chamber of commerce gives three $500 scholarships to native grads. And only some thousand youngsters every year graduate from highschool in that county — lots of whom gained’t trouble to use. You could possibly have a greater than 1-in-1000 likelihood of snagging a type of grants, in comparison with some big-name scholarships the place you’d be competing towards tens of 1000’s of different college students.
Now, $500 isn’t more likely to imply you graduate faculty debt-free. However should you can win 5, 10, or 20 of these smaller scholarships over the course of your faculty profession, it might probably add as much as 1000’s of {dollars} of free cash — and a a lot lighter scholar mortgage burden when you graduate.
It is price spending a while on the lookout for all of the smaller, under-the-radar scholarships that may swimsuit you. It doesn’t need to be a full-time job — an hour or two per week to analysis and fill out functions could possibly be sufficient to internet you a major quantity of free cash.
Delusion 6: Scholarships are solely good for tuition
A shocking variety of individuals assume scholarships solely can be utilized for tuition or direct schooling bills and that’s not essentially the case.
Every scholarship has its personal guidelines for the way you need to use scholarship funds. Some are only for tuition; some can be utilized broadly for dwelling bills and extra. Some are even earmarked for sure sorts of bills, resembling a stipend to purchase expertise wanted to pursue your schooling.
If and if you win a scholarship, be sure you double-check its pointers to make sure you’re staying throughout the established guidelines.
You’re juggling loads making an attempt to wrap up highschool and prepare for faculty. On the lookout for scholarships can really feel like yet another activity on an already-overfilled plate. However should you can handle to squeeze in a bit of time to search for (and apply to) the scholarships which can be the most effective match you is likely to be stunned how fruitful that effort is. To be taught extra, take a look at our scholarship information.