The 411 on Scholarships

Answer 1

For students struggling financially, obtaining a scholarship is a viable way to help pay for college. Scholarships can be granted for a number of reasons. The vast majority of scholarships are given by the college or university the student plans to attend. However, scholarships may also be available from civic groups, churches, organizations or private companies. When looking for a scholarship, it is important to think outside the box.

Where to Begin the Search

Plenty of scholarship information is available online. Several major sites are dedicated to helping students find scholarships to meet their individual needs. Most high schools also have a staff member in place to helping match students with scholarships.

If the student has already been accepted to a college or university, it may be advantageous to contact the admissions office to inquire about possible scholarships. However, most scholarships have already been funded by the time acceptance letters go out.

How to Apply

Each scholarship will have its own application process and it is crucial to follow the instructions to the letter. There are often hundreds of students competing for a single scholarship. Some applications will require a written essay on a pre-selected topic while others request applicants perform some sort of action relating to the organization offering the scholarship.

Who Can Get a Scholarship?

Many scholarships are offered for scholastic aptitude, excellent grades or athletic prowess. However, there are plenty of scholarships available for students who don't stand out quite as much. Some are available on a first come, first served basis while others require participation in a contest or enrollment in a civic club or group.

Being selected for a scholarship is an honor. It can help students pay for an education they may not otherwise be able to afford. Most scholarships require students to maintain a certain grade point average for the length of the scholarship or risk losing their funding. A student attending college on a scholarship should be willing to work incredibly hard.

Scholarships are available for just about anything and the student who is willing to work hard, think outside the box and be diligent in their search is sure to be successful.