It’s nearly the end of the summer, and before school starts, you thought it would be a good idea to get to work on applications for the many scholarships you hope will help pay for college next year. You open your browser with its dozen or so tabs and panic sets in: there’s so much to do. There are essay questions ranging from the deceptively simple “Tell us about yourself” to the super personal “How have you learned from failure?” along with a dizzying number of other requirements like transcripts and recommendations. You can do this. Just follow our advice to find the right scholarships for you, fill out applications, make a good impression, get organized, line up your transcripts and recommendations, and write standout essays.
Advice for Finding and Choosing Scholarships
To guarantee that you don’t waste any of your precious time and energy, focus on applying for only those scholarships that match your strengths and needs. Curating the perfect scholarship list is all about using the right tools, particularly online databases that aggregate vetted scholarship opportunities and filter results based on your personal profile and application preferences. Here are some options worth checking out:
During your search, keep an open mind. While scholarships offering substantial funds can make a much needed dent in your college expenses, those scholarships can be more competitive. Small scholarships can add up to big rewards, too! In addition to applying to both big and small scholarships, you should also apply for scholarships that aren’t just about your academic achievements or career goals. Those scholarships are great, but you are leaving money on the table if you don’t consider more niche scholarships that could award you for anything from an unusual skill to your commitment to a vegan diet. Ultimately, your goal should be to narrow down your scholarship list to a manageable number of opportunities that reflect who you are, what you need, and what you are willing to do in order to apply.
Advice for Filling Out Applications
An easy way to miss out on scholarship opportunities is to not follow the application instructions provided. One of the most important steps for students to complete (and the one they should focus on first) is filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Not only will filling out this form be necessary for receiving any type of needs-based financial aid from the government or colleges, but it will also be required for any other needs-based scholarships to which you apply. As you search for potential scholarship opportunities and eventually start applying, pay careful attention to the requirements and instructions. No application is the same and scholarships will only be awarded to students who meet all of the requirements, so it’s your job to only apply for scholarships you qualify for and to make sure that you can provide each item listed in the requirements.
Advice for Making a Good Impression
When it comes to getting a job or winning over your girlfriend’s parents, you already know how important it is to dress to impress and be on your best behavior. So, if you want to increase your chances of standing out for the right reasons, then you want to project the best image of yourself to those deciding your fate. For example, if you’ve ever poured over someone’s social media profiles to scope them out, then it shouldn’t surprise you that organizations that award scholarships often do the same thing. Create a LinkedIn profile and use your social media accounts to show off your accomplishments and your involvement in school and community activities. Scrub any posts that could reflect poorly on you, so anyone viewing your profile can get a sense of the best possible version of yourself.
Advice for Getting Organized
The trick to guaranteeing that you will earn some money from scholarships is to apply for as many as you qualify for as early as you can. The more applications you send in and the more diverse the type of scholarship, the higher the likelihood that you will see some rewards. The only way this strategy works, however, is if you get organized. Students can search for scholarships throughout high school, but should get serious about compiling a final list during the summer prior to senior year. As you gather scholarship opportunities, keep track of eligibility criteria, requirements, and deadlines in a document or spreadsheet that also makes it easy to prioritize tasks and create checklists.
Once you know what you have to do, it’s time to set goals and mark out dates on a calendar. Set personal deadlines for each component of the application (e.g. recommendations, resumes, essays, etc.) and break down the tasks necessary to complete them, too. In other words, rather than just putting the date you want to complete your essay on a calendar, set aside dates for brainstorming, drafting, editing, and proofreading. As you’re choosing dates, be careful to select times that complement everything else going on in your life. Easier tasks like filling out a personal profile form should be done during busy times while more challenging tasks like essays should be done during school breaks.
Advice for Recommendations
Many scholarship applications require students to submit recommendations. One thing you should always keep in mind is to select and contact the people you are seeking recommendations from early, so they have the time they will need to write you a thorough and thoughtful letter. An ideal timeframe would be at least two weeks or longer. Also, if you’re not sure who to ask, a good rule is to choose the people who know you best and preferably those who have known you the longest, especially teachers, coaches, and club advisors who can speak to how your strengths and accomplishments connect to the specific purpose of the scholarship to which you are applying. Are you a future business major? Seek out recommendations from your economics teacher or the advisor of a club you played a key leadership role like the Future Business Leaders of America. Finally, give those who you are asking for a recommendation a way to opt out if they won’t be able to provide a solid recommendation for any reason, including time constraints, lack of familiarity, or the inability to provide the type of glowing praise you will need to make it to the top of the pile.
Advice for Resumes
The resumes you submit with scholarship applications should be modified versions of the same resumes you will submit along with your college applications. In this case, resumes for scholarship applications should reorder achievements, talents, and skills to emphasize anything that is more relevant to a specific scholarship. Applying for a public service scholarship? Prioritize your leadership role in organizing a holiday toy drive by putting at the top of your list of experiences. Add more details if necessary to highlight notable leadership roles, responsibilities, or projects.
Advice for Essays
The essays you write for scholarship applications are similar to the ones you will write for most college applications: prompts will typically focus on questions related to challenges that led to personal growth, personal identity, academic and career goals, and core values. There can be one prompt or multiple prompts, ranging from fun to serious with both small to big word counts. As you write your responses, remind yourself that everything you write should connect back to the essential question in the prompt and should stick as close as possible to your own voice. Avoid the temptation to write what you think will impress readers, especially overly flowery vocabulary or information they can find somewhere else on your application. Revise your essays and have someone else read them for you if possible.
Advice for Sticking With It
After you’ve applied for a few scholarships, you might have the urge to call it a day. Juggling college applications, senior year of high school, extracurriculars, and other responsibilities would be a lot for anyone to handle, so adding another item to your to-do list, especially when the rewards aren’t guaranteed can be discouraging. Don’t give up! All of your efforts, whether you secure a $100 or $10,000 award, is worth it because any funds you can bank now will make it easier to manage the financial stress of paying for college. Perfectionism also affects motivation, causing you to doubt yourself. Eliminate negative self-talk, Instead of telling yourself, “I’m never going to win this, so why should I even try?” Be your own cheerleader and remember that it’s always better to try and fail than to not try at all. What is the worst thing that could happen?
How A+ Can Help
Applying to college is an exciting yet challenging milestone. Balancing the need to bank extra cash for school with other responsibilities like activities, part-time jobs, academics, and friends can be a big ask for adolescents heading into senior year. Let us help you. At A+ Test Prep and Tutoring, our College Essay and Editing services match students with tutors who will give them the feedback and tools they need to write impressive essays. Plus, if you’re having trouble getting organized, our Executive Function Coaching services can help you set goals and achieve them.
At A+ Test Prep and Tutoring, our practices are based on the latest developments in educational theory and research. We have an excellent team of tutors who can help you with standardized testing, executive functioning, or achievement in any other school subject. If you want to find out more about our services, contact us here.
0 Comments