12 Sure-Fire Ways of Getting the Scholarship You Dreamed About
3 min read
Key takeaways
- Start searching early, and keep looking once you're in college.
- Apply widely, including for smaller and less-known scholarships.
- Follow the instructions exactly, proofread, and never miss a deadline.
Whether you're a student or the parent of a child heading to college, scholarships can cut the cost of higher education. Here are 12 strategies to help you find them and win them.
1. Start your search early
Start researching scholarships well before you graduate from high school. There are scholarships for students in 9th, 10th and 11th grade, and some are open to even younger students.
Once you're enrolled in college, keep looking. Many scholarships are only for current college students, and some are meant for adults going back to school.
2. Answer every question on the form
Online scholarship forms often include optional questions. Answer all of them. The more a scholarship site knows about you, the more scholarships it can match you with.
3. Use a free scholarship search site
Free search sites such as Fastweb match you with scholarships based on your profile and email you when they find new ones. Never pay for a scholarship search. The best tools are free.
4. Check local notice boards
Your local library, your school's financial aid office and your guidance counselor's office often post local scholarships. These usually get far fewer applicants than national awards.
5. Apply for everything you qualify for
Apply for every scholarship that interests you and fits your qualifications. Don't only chase the big, famous awards that everyone applies for. Smaller scholarships and essay contests often have less competition, and the awards add up.
6. Track every deadline
Missing a deadline is the easiest way to lose a scholarship. Keep a list or calendar of every deadline, along with the documents each application needs.
7. Read the instructions first
Make sure you fully understand the instructions before you start an application. An application that doesn't follow the rules may not be read at all.
8. Talk through your essay first
If writing doesn't come easily, try recording yourself answering the essay question out loud. Listen back, pick out your best points and use them to build an outline.
9. Write about something you care about
Take your time with the essay. Choose a topic that genuinely interests you, use real examples from your own life, and open with something that grabs the reader's attention.
10. Clean up your online presence
Search your full name on Google to see what comes up. Make sure your social media accounts are free of anything you wouldn't want a scholarship committee to see.
Use a professional email address, such as your first and last name (for example, [email protected]).
11. Proofread everything
Before you submit, check your essay and application for spelling and grammar mistakes. Ask a teacher, parent or friend to read it too.
12. Keep copies and proof of submission
Save a copy of every completed application. If you apply online, keep the confirmation email or take a screenshot. If you mail an application, use certified mail or ask for a return receipt, so you have proof it arrived.
Get exclusive grant and scholarship resources, sent to your inbox.
Questions people ask
Are scholarships only for high school seniors?
No. Many scholarships are open to younger high school students, current college students, graduate students and adults returning to school.
Should I pay for a scholarship search?
No. Legitimate scholarship searches are free. Be wary of any service that charges a fee or guarantees you'll win a scholarship.
Do small scholarships matter?
Yes. Smaller awards usually have fewer applicants, so your chances are better, and several small scholarships can add up to a large amount.
Sources
* We may earn a commission from links on this page. This doesn't change what we write. How we make money
