amanda
Why is it so difficult to find scholarships?
I have been look far/at scholarships for months now and most of them I am ineligible for .
#financial-aid
#scholarships
#college
2 answers
Jordan Rivera
CareerVillage.org Team COACHJordan’s Answer, CareerVillage.org Team
Great question Amanda. I'm sorry no one's answered it yet! It's not too difficult finding scholarships. It's all about consistency and perseverance! Also if you are looking in the right places, you will definitely find some worthy to apply for! I thought I'd share a few links to other relevant Q&A on CareerVillage.org that should be super helpful for you to read through in regards to scholarships. I've included tips in the "next steps" section below a list of trustworthy sites you should create accounts on if you haven't already (that have good scholarships!). Here are tips that could help you in your preparation of finding and submitting for scholarships:
- Dedicate a minimum of 1 hour a day for a few weeks to applying for scholarships and it'll go a long way.
- Be thoughtful about your entries, just doing the bare minimum isn't going to land you any scholarships. It's better to spend more time on each entry to ensure it's well thought out than to rush through to try to enter a bunch. Quality over quantity!!
- I recommend writing one STELLAR essay. Chances are you'll use it for every scholarship application (potentially only having to make minor edits dependent on what the prompt is). Tell a story that clearly represents who you are and what's important to you. The goal of the essay should be to let the reader in to your life. If you can do that in a genuine and meaningful way you'll be considered, I promise! A couple of ideas: Write about the hardest thing you've had to go through in your life or what makes you so passionate about something. Be sure to include lessons you've learned and what you hope to do with that knowledge/experience later in life.
- Spend more time finding scholarships that directly pertain to YOU so it cuts down the competition. Look for scholarships in your local community, or that are just for young women, for example. Know what career path you want to pursue? There are probably dozens of scholarship opportunities that are only for students aspiring to follow a specific career path (e.g. STEM, entertainment, sports, design, etc. etc.)
Relevant Q&A on CareerVillage.org you should read:
What financial support can I find to help me pay for college?
Jordan, CareerVillage.org Team recommends the following next steps:
Nicole Baillie
Nicole’s Answer
Adding to the awesome answer already provided, one of the most helpful things I have learned about searching for and getting scholarships is how early to start and where to look. Recently, I have seen where local high schools can and do share information, sometimes with their local newspapers, on graduating seniors and their academic achievements. In those achievements, they provide information about scholarships that these graduating seniors have won. Sometimes they even go as far as giving the criteria necessary to get those scholarships. Often too, local businesses, colleges/universities share information about scholarships they have given out. These pieces of information can be stepping stones to determine what scholarships to research and can also be great points from which to set goals for young people who are entering into or are in the early years of their high school journey.
Hope you find this guidance helpful and best of luck to you!