We’re at an exciting time of year: the holidays! Between all the food, excitement, and celebrating, the last thing you’re probably thinking of is how to pay for your son or daughter’s college tuition. That said, the holiday break can be a great time to do some strategic scholarship hunting: Scholarship “season” typically starts around January and ends in April.
While most colleges send accepted students a Financial Aid Offer (sometimes called a “Financial Aid Package” or “Award Letter”), oftentimes there is a gap between the offered amount and the Cost of Attendance. Most families will take out loans to fill this gap, but the best way to pay for college is with free money. That’s where outside scholarships can help.
This post is sponsored by Northwest University.
Outside scholarships work differently than scholarships offered by your student’s college. This money generally comes from companies, clubs, or churches that want to help students succeed and afford college. Since these organizations have full control over the funds they offer, they can decide on whatever parameters are important to them when reviewing applicants. These requirements are usually based on financial need or academic merit, but sometimes donors look for unique criteria as well. My favorite example of this is the “Scholarship for Tall People” offered by the Tall Clubs International Foundation. Whatever your student’s academic ability, age, ethnicity, economic status, interests, hobbies, or gender, there is always a scholarship to apply for.
Here are some scholarship suggestions and tips I wish someone had shown me when I was a student:
Tip #1: Organization is Key
Before you even begin applying for scholarships, take a moment to set yourself up for success. Create a spreadsheet (or find one online) that keeps track of important scholarship details like deadlines and eligibility requirements. Another way to stay organized is to create a personal email address just for scholarship applications. It’s no secret that many companies use scholarships as a way to advertise. Because of this, these companies will send a lot of junk mail to applicants. Rather than sift through your inbox and risk missing important emails, keep them separate in their own specific inbox. And remember to start early. As I mentioned before, scholarship “season” typically starts in January and ends in April.
Tip #2: Write an Epic Essay
I once met with a student who told me she wrote a separate personal essay for each scholarship entry because she was worried about plagiarism. Unless the scholarship specifically asks for a unique personal essay (I’ve never come across one), it’s perfectly fine to reuse the same wording from previous applications. Remember that scholarship committees must read through hundreds of essays. After a while, they can all start to sound the same. Avoid generic phrases and using verbiage you think the scholarship committee wants to hear. The scholarship essays that convey honesty, creativity, and (occasionally) humor usually stand out among the rest. Basically, the more personal the better. A special note to parents: Read through your student’s essays for grammar, spelling, and punctuation only. Even though you may know which words sound better, the essay comes across as more genuine when the student uses their own expressions.
Tip #3: Beware of Scams
When searching for scholarships, your student might come across an offer that sounds incredible. “Guaranteed $20,000 scholarship for every applicant!” Unfortunately, the old adage still stands, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” For this reason, students should typically avoid applying for scholarships that are associated with sweepstakes. Unless the scholarship is associated with a club or membership that requires a fee, you should never give out any financial information like bank account numbers or credit card information. Remember, scholarships should be free. Always use a reputable source when looking for scholarships and trust your instincts if the website seems sketchy. If you aren’t 100% sure the scholarship is real, most Financial Aid Offices or High School Counselors are happy to check for legitimacy. That’s what we’re here for!
Tip #4: Apply! Apply! Apply!
I worked with a student a few years ago who received thousands in scholarship money each year. His family’s income was higher than average and his grades were acceptable at best. I remember speaking with him after processing yet another scholarship check and I asked him what his number one tip was for students struggling to find scholarships. His answer: “just apply.” It takes work to complete scholarship applications and sometimes it can be overwhelming to know which ones to apply for. However, applying for a scholarship always increases your odds of receiving a scholarship. For students who don’t have a part-time job, I recommend making the practice of applying for scholarships your part-time job. Try it out for a couple weeks – you never know what money is out there unless you apply.
With a little bit of organization, lots of personality, investigation, and gumption, the free money isn’t that far off. Financial Aid Offers are meant to help families offset the cost of tuition and make college a more affordable option. Outside scholarships are a great way to fill that remaining gap and can be well worth the time and effort.
by Katie Hawkins, Northwest University
Northwest University is committed to offering the best academic experience for our online learners. With a vast catalog of online course options – including several degrees that can be completed 100% online – we provide robust technological support and learning resources to help every student succeed.
With traditional programs as well as flexible online learning options, there’s plenty of options at Northwest University. Providing academic support, spiritual growth opportunities, and thriving community, we have everything to help your child grow academically, spiritually, and personally. Learn about the comprehensive supports Northwest University offers its students and schedule a visit today!
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