Will getting a job affect my chances for scholarships at college?

Hi Giselle! It may depend on the specific scholarship (for example if you were applying to one that was specific to volunteer work), but in general I would expect that scholarships take into account if you have financial need where you need to have a paying job instead of sports / volunteer work / other extracurricular activities. As a scholarship reviewer myself, I put a lot of weight on someone having dedication and being able to successfully manage working while going to school without having their grades suffer.

I personally started working odd jobs and then part-time at various places from about 14 1/2, and I was still able to get enough scholarships to cover my college expenses. One key piece of advice I can offer both as a recipient previously and now a reviewer for scholarship applications is that you should be able to frame what you do at work in terms of what the scholarship is looking for - leadership traits? Prioritization and time management? Mentoring / outreach? Demonstation of work ethic? Dedication and dependability? I recommend thinking beyond it as “just a job” and really consider what growth opportunities you can get out of it, regardless of what the job is.

One key thing working demonstrates that you are invested in yourself and your family and willing to put in hard work to ensure your success!

Hi Giselle! Considering the cost of a college education theses days, that's a great question.

The simple answer is no. It is not typical for need-based scholarships to be based on the income of a student coming straight out of high-school.

Note:

1. Need-based scholarships are typically based on your parent's income, not yours, unless you are a primary bread-winner (usually making over $10K per year. The amount may depend on the state you live in).
2. Merit-based scholarships are based on criteria such as SAT/ACT scores, GPA, residency , athleticism, etc. The fact that you worked before college does not factor into the decision at all. Your application is viewed on it's competitiveness versus the rest of the applicant pool.
3. Status-based scholarships are offered at some schools on criteria such as being a 1st generation college student, child of a war veteran, etc. These can be very schools specific, so be sure to ask about "atypical" scholarships offered at whatever schools to which you apply. These are not always found on the website.

In each type of scholarship, there can be differences between the amounts public vs private colleges will offer.

However, if having a job negatively affects your academics and/or your involvement in school extracurricular activities that appeal to colleges, be prepared to explain your situation and advocate for yourself when interacting with college financial aid representatives. Have a story. Look out for opportunities to cultivate leadership, teamwork, and maturity from your work. In my job, I find that students who worked during college then enter our graduate program tend to have a more mature outlook, be more focused, not take things for granted, and have a humbler approach to working with others. Colleges like these traits in an applicant. :-)

So, here are some steps to take. I hope you find them helpful.

Kellee