5 Insider Tips and Tricks to Apply for Scholarships

Scholarships have become increasingly important as the cost of education rises by the year. College tuition is higher than ever, and student debt is at a crisis level at a staggering $1.7 trillion. Having a scholarship can be a lifesaver for most families, whether they're paying for college or high school.

Scholarships have been a major help, with about 58% of families using them in 2020 to pay for college. The thing is, though, getting a scholarship is not that easy, with only 1 in 8 students likely to receive one. When you apply for scholarships, you need to make sure you ace the application.

So, how do you apply for scholarships to win? This guide features some of the best expert intel and the top application tips. Read on to find out how to find the best scholarships to apply for.

1. What Are Scholarships?

Scholarships are an amount of money awarded to students to help them further their education. They’re very different from student loans because they don't have to be paid back. There are many types of scholarships offered for students in high schools, colleges, and universities.

There's also a wide array of scholarship sources, and they could be from the government, universities, corporations, and other organizations of goodwill. One thing you have to understand about scholarships is that they're not exactly free money. You may not have to pay it back, but it will come with some strings attached.

For instance, an athletic scholarship will come with the expectation of performing in a certain sport and maintaining a certain grade point. A scholarship may also be contingent on entering a certain career, so you have to be sure that's the career path you want to pursue before accepting the scholarship. Some scholarships may also expect you to perform certain services in return for getting the scholarship.

2. Types of Scholarships

There are many types of scholarships for almost anything you can think of. You could get a scholarship for making a prom outfit out of duct tape, being a top athlete, or even being left-handed. Scholarship opportunities are almost limitless, and we'll look at some of the most common below:

Athletic Scholarships

Athletic scholarships are for students who excel in sports. Most of these are offered by universities looking to attract top athletes. There are athletic scholarships for all kinds of sports, not just football or basketball, which are two of the most famous.

Some universities offer scholarships for uncommon sports such as water polo, fencing, and even weight lifting. Once you receive the scholarship, you'll have to dedicate yourself to the sport in return.

Merit Scholarships

Merit scholarships are what most people think of when they hear the word scholarships. The scholarships are usually dedicated to the brilliant, dedicated, talented students who look to be the leaders of tomorrow. Merit-based scholarships are some of the best because they offer opportunities to truly talented people who may not have the means to educate themselves.

Community Service Scholarships

Scholarships are usually not reserved for top students only. Those who volunteer in their communities also have a high chance of getting one. Whether you are a US citizen or a legal resident who has already made a positive impact on the community. If you have demonstrated strength and wisdom through volunteer services, you can apply for these.

Need-Based Scholarships

Students with demonstrated financial needs may be able to qualify for a need-based scholarship. Some need-based scholarships may come with specific requirements that pursue particular areas of study or living in a specific community.

Employer or Military Scholarships

You may also be able to get a scholarship through a family member's employer. Some businesses offer scholarships to support the employees' children. Additionally, if you have an active or retired member of the military, you may be able to qualify for the Military Commanders' Scholarship Fund.

3. How to Find the Best Scholarships to Apply for

With the power of the internet, there are so many places for you to find the best scholarships to apply for. There's a wide array of tools and resources available to help you access thousands of scholarships, starting with scholarship websites. Scholarship websites are easily accessible and have thousands of scholarships listed on their platforms.

Most of these websites have easy-to-navigate filter options and search results that will match your individual profile. As expected, there's a lot of competition, and the scholarships may be based on a lottery system. When checking out this website, be wary of scam websites that ask you to pay a fee to apply.

You can also easily find scholarships through search engines by simply typing what kind of scholarship you're looking for. To filter out results, make a list of the category you fit into, such as state, hobbies, gender, sports, GPA, disabilities, etcetera. You can search for stem scholarships, ballet scholarships, scholarships for Arizona students, scholarships for Hispanics, scholarships for women, and the like.

Alternatively, you can check out bulletin boards or newspapers for local scholarships in your community. Check bulletin boards at schools, community centers, churches, or even cafes.

List Your Unique Traits

There are scholarships based on personal interests, nationality, GPA, extracurricular activities, languages spoken, LGBTQ individuals, footballers, pianists, people who grew up with certain hardships, and many more. This means one of the most important things you have to do is create a list of your unique traits so you can narrow down the best scholarships to apply for.

Before you apply for scholarships, list what you're good at, starting with your personal interests or passions and favorite extracurricular activities. Think about your academic accomplishments, personal traits, heritage, gender, and hardships you went through with the past. Once you're done, apply for scholarships based on these traits.

Understand the Application Requirements

Once you find a list of scholarships you want to apply for, it's of absolute importance that you understand the requirements first. Different scholarships will require different documents or the completion of various tasks. Some of the most common documents you may be required include filling out an application form or writing an essay.

Still, some scholarships may require letters of recommendation from professional or personal references. If this is a requirement, ask for letters of recommendation from your professors, teachers, counselors, or personal sources a few weeks in advance. This will give them enough time to reply to you and give you the letter you need.

You may also be required to send copies of transcripts and diplomas. Sometimes, even though you may not be applying for a merit-based scholarship, you may still be required to send your high school diploma or recent school transcripts. You may also find a scholarship application asking for your SAT or ACT scores.

Some of the scholarships may require your financial aid information, especially if you're applying for a need-based scholarship. It may require you to send your parents' income and tax information and submit a FAFSA form. Furthermore, other scholarships may require a resume or a portfolio.

Apply for Scholarships Early

It's never too early to apply for scholarships, and the last thing you want is for deadlines to start sneaking up on you. One of the best things you can do to increase your chances of winning scholarships is to apply for as many scholarships as possible. Starting early will help you manage to send as many as you can, and you could even set a scholarship schedule for yourself.

For instance, you could dedicate 10 scholarships every month, which is about two or three scholarships applications every week. Most of these will take you about 15 minutes to apply, so don't skimp and don't give up. This does not necessarily mean that you should rush your applications.

On the contrary, it's of absolute importance for you to give the necessary time and consideration to every application to be a strong contender. It's important for your application to stand out and reflect your ability to be dedicated and thoughtful in everything you do. Take your time and read all the directions, familiarise yourself with the organization, and make sure you proofread your essay before submission.

Write a Killer Essay

Not every scholarship you apply for will require an essay, but you can expect most of them too. You have to make sure you write the best essay you have ever written. The essay allows you to show a more dimensional aspect of yourself and showcase things that are not reflected on your test scores and GPA.

The first step of rocking the essay is to read the instructions thoroughly and follow them to the letter. If the application requires you to meet a certain word count, then stay within the limit stipulated. If you're required to submit a video or photo with the essay, then make sure you don't overlook any aspect.

Moreover, it's important for you to answer the prompt as clearly and concisely as possible. If you're required to write about your achievement despite certain setbacks, that's exactly what you need to write about.

If you're required to describe how your life will change once you get the scholarship, avoid certain platitudes and cliches. Avoid things like it would mean the world to you or it would be a game-changer. The scholarship organizations already know it would be a game-changer.

What you need to do is describe what life will be like when you get financial assistance. Be as specific as possible and provide the readers with a picture of your aspirations and future goals. Avoid repeating all the things that are on your resume and try to show another layer of who you are as a potential candidate.

When you're done, make sure you proofread and polish your essay. If possible, get someone else to proofread the work for you so they can help you catch any errors you may have missed.  It could be your friend, your parents, or even your teacher.

Submit Your Materials

Now that you have gathered all the required documents, filled out your application form, and written your killer essay, it's time for you to submit everything. Some scholarships will have to be submitted by mail, while others can easily be submitted online.

This will also be in the requirements provided by the organization. If you're required to submit letters of recommendation, make sure your referees know the deadline to avoid any problems.

Keep Checking the Status of Your Scholarship

Once you apply for scholarships and submit all the materials, you need to keep checking the status. Of course, you should also be patient because most organizations will let you know when you can expect feedback.

After you submit your materials, keep a positive attitude as you wait to hear from the providers. It's also imperative for you to have a list of scholarships you have applied for and update it every time you get results. When checking for updates, make sure you check your spam folder as well to avoid having responses go unanswered.

Clean Up Your Social Medial Pages

One of the best things you can do when you apply for scholarships is to clean up your public social media pages. The scholarship organization members will most likely vet their candidates. You want to make sure that your social media pages exude professionalism.

Most scholarships will outright ask for links to your social media profiles. Make sure what they see is exactly what you want to portray about yourself.

4. List of Easy Scholarships to Apply for

Now that you know how to apply for scholarships, there are many easy scholarships you can apply for. Here is a list of easy scholarships you may want to check out:

• Because college is expensive scholarship
• You deserve it scholarship
• Be Bold scholarship
• ScholarPoints scholarship
• Valentine's day scholarship
• DR. Pepper tuition giveaway
• AFSA high schools scholarship

5. Don't Give Up

Scholarships can be life-changing, so you must keep the effort and keep applying for more. This is by far one of the most important scholarship tips because the more you apply for, the higher your chances of winning.

How to Apply for Scholarships: The Only Guide You Need

If you have been wondering how to apply for scholarships, this comprehensive guide takes you through everything you need to know. It'll help you understand where to look for scholarships, how to apply for scholarships, how to write scholarship essays and everything else in between.

If you have any questions about scholarships, please get in touch with our help center.