Can I Still Apply For Scholarships While In College

Scholarships, however, are usually awarded based on merit, whether it’s for academics, athletic ability or a specific talent. While some private scholarships also consider financial need, such as the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation’s college scholarship program, there’s usually a merit component. Private scholarships are typically awarded by private foundations, nonprofits, for-profit corporations, or philanthropists.

Applying for Scholarships While in High School

It is advisable to begin looking for prizes while still in high school. Why? Because the more scholarships you apply for, the more likely you are to win.

There are specific resources that are available to high school students, too. The first place to start is with your guidance counsellor. They can help you figure out what kinds of scholarships are available to students from your school and help guide you through the application process. Some schools will also have their scholarship programs, so check with your counsellor about those.

If you do want to go to college and are looking for ways to pay for it, know that guidance counsellors can also help you apply for financial aid.

What Types of Scholarships Are Available?

According to the Sallie Mae/Ipsos 2022 survey College Confidence: What America Knows About Paying for College, 46% of students believe that scholarships are only available to students with exceptional grades or abilities. However, there are numerous other types of college scholarships available, including:

“There’s scholarships out there for everyone,” Peoples says. “I’ve seen scholarships out there for people who are tall, left-handed, or enjoy skateboarding.”

How to Find Scholarships for Current College Students

Check out these tips to expand your scholarship search:

• Find scholarships based on your major: Many scholarships for college students are tailored to specific majors. They are typically sourced from organisations affiliated with those majors. As an example, consider an art museum that offers scholarships to art history majors.
• Look for scholarships in your neighbourhood: These may not be widely advertised and may have simple application procedures. Banks, credit unions, volunteer groups, and community clubs are all possibilities.
• Consult with your financial aid advisor: If you don’t know who that is, simply contact the financial aid office at your school. When new scholarship opportunities become available, your advisor will notify you via email. They can provide you with resources to help you find local awards. Your advisor can also provide advice on how to improve your scholarship applications.
• Fill out the FAFSA:  This will determine your eligibility for a Pell Grant, as well as many other types of financial aid. This must be done once a year.
• Find scholarships based on your age: You may be eligible for “adult scholarships” if you are a junior or senior. If you postpone your college attendance, you may be eligible for “non-traditional scholarships.” Both are intended for older students.
• Consider what distinguishes you: Do you have a hobby or a passion that you think could lead to a scholarship? Enter an art contest, a writing contest, a singing competition, or anything else you can think of. Look for scholarships that cater to your specific interests. Consider aspects of your life that distinguish you, such as being a single mother or an only child. There are scholarships available for people in those situations.
• When you come to a fork in the road, change your path: Don’t just look for scholarships on the internet or through your financial aid office. Consider a new approach to the search to get the best results.
• There is no perfect time to apply for scholarships: You should be looking and applying all year. Many scholarship deadlines are in January or June, but they could be at any time. More importantly, you could apply well before any of the deadlines.
• Set a weekly application goal for yourself: “Every week I’m in school, I’m going to apply for three scholarships.” “During the summer, I plan to apply for five scholarships per week.” Spreading out your applications will help you feel less overwhelmed.

Position Yourself to Win Scholarship Money

To ensure you’re ready to submit strong scholarship applications, here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Examine your options: Examine our list of scholarships to see which ones might be a good fit for you. You can also look at our resources on how to write great scholarship essays to get an idea of what kinds of questions scholarship committees ask and what kinds of answers they want to see. You should also become acquainted with the various types of scholarships available and determine whether you are most competitive for specific types of awards (e.g., financial need scholarships, merit-based scholarships, student-specific scholarships, graduate school scholarships).
2. Get organised: Make a list of all the scholarships you want to apply for, along with their deadlines and requirements, so you don’t forget anything important when it comes time to submit your materials.
3. Keep track of your progress: To keep track of when to submit applications, create a spreadsheet that lists your scholarship options by deadline date. This will allow you to stay on top of deadlines and follow up on any applications you’ve already submitted. You might also want to include a field where you can list everything that needs to be done for each prize. Because each college scholarship has its own eligibility requirements and application materials, it’s easy to overlook minor but critical details.

Conclusion

Winning scholarships while pursuing a college degree can provide much-needed financial assistance and help you afford the costs of tuition, housing, and other expenses.

Additionally, securing scholarships can enhance your professional network and provide valuable connections that may benefit you in your post-graduate career. Even if you don’t receive a scholarship the first time you apply, it’s essential to keep trying each year. Persistence and dedication in your scholarship search can lead to significant rewards.