Scholarship Tips

When paying for college, always explore scholarship opportunities
before considering federal or private student loans. College scholarships are free money that you donʼt need to pay back.
Thereʼs no limit to the amount of scholarships you can apply for—so submit as many applications as you can.

Why apply for a scholarship?

https://www.salliemae.com/college-planning/college-scholarships/apply-for-scholarships/

Multiple Choice

T or F : There is a limit to how many scholarships a student can apply for.

• True
• False
• Only for certain scholarships
• Depends on the student's GPA

How do I find a college scholarship?

#1 Look at your hobbies in a new way.

You may not think of your hobbies and interests as a way to help pay for school, but you should. There are college scholarships out there for everyone: crafters, gamers, vegans, green thumbs, Trekkies—you name it. Scholarships aren’t just for straight-A students or all-star athletes.

Open Ended

What are some other qualifications that scholarship committees can look for besides straight As?

2. Check out scholarship search websites.

Make sure that the site is not charging you to use the site. If it is, keep looking for one that doesn’t. They usually start with a survey asking about your interests, background, and accomplishments and you can get matched with scholarships in just minutes. Then start applying so you can get the most free money possible to help pay for college.

Check the websites of the colleges you are considering.

Multiple Choice

What do scholarship search websites do?

• Scholarship search websites provide financial aid to students.
• Scholarship search websites help students find and apply for scholarships.
• Scholarship search websites offer tutoring services to students.
• Scholarship search websites sell textbooks to students.

3. Meet with your school counselor and others.

Discuss your plan to pay for college with your
school counselor and ask about scholarship
opportunities that might be right for you. Also,
keep your eyes and ears open in your community. You might hear of scholarship opportunities through your church, your job, or your parents' jobs.

Open Ended

Where in your community are some places that may offer scholarships?

When should I apply for a scholarship?

Apply for scholarships early and often. Some
scholarship deadlines are as early as a year before you start college. You don’t need to wait until you’ve made your final decision about your school to apply.

But don’t worry if you missed out on some of the
earliest scholarship applications. There are lots of
scholarship opportunities out there, all with different deadlines.

Apply for scholarships every year you’re in college,
too—there are many scholarships for current college students.

Open Ended

When is the best time to apply for scholarships?

Scholarship Application Tips

As you get ready to apply for college scholarships, keep in mind that different scholarships have their own qualifying criteria and require certain documents. These tips can help as you choose which scholarships to apply for:

1.

Be careful.
You shouldn’t have to pay to apply for scholarships or for scholarship searches. School counselors and school financial aid offices can recommend reputable options.

Open Ended

What should you be careful of when using a scholarship search website?

Read the qualifications.

​With so many scholarships out there, make sure to read the qualifications for every one that you consider. You don’t want to take the time and effort to complete an application when you don’t qualify.

Open Ended

Why should you always read the qualifications of a scholarship before you apply?

Be thorough.

Apply for smaller scholarships. Even a few
hundred dollars can help offset the cost of
textbooks and supplies.

Multiple Choice

T or F: You should not bother filling out scholarships that have small rewards.

• False
• True
• It doesn't matter
• Only if you have spare time

Be honest.

Don't exaggerate your grades, memberships, skills, or qualifications on scholarship applications. You're more likely to receive scholarships if you apply for the ones that match your interests and skills.

Multiple Choice

T or F: You should lie and say whatever you have to on scholarship application in order to be the committee's selection.

• F
• T
• It depends
• Sometimes

Apply every year that you attend college.

Apply for scholarships every year
you’re in college. Approximately 50
percent of available scholarships are for students already enrolled in
college.

Multiple Choice

T or F: You can only apply for scholarship your first year of college.

• Only if you are a minority
• False
• True
• Only if you have a high GPA

Be diligent.

Pay attention to details. Some scholarship
applications require you to write an essay while others may want letters of recommendation. Send in what’s requested and proofread everything. Typos and missing materials can be the difference between winning or losing a scholarship.

Multiple Choice

Why does it matter if an application submitted does not include all of the items requested?

• Missing items may result in the application being delayed.
• Missing items may result in the application being approved.
• Missing items may result in the application being processed faster.
• Missing items may result in the application being incomplete or rejected.

Be on time.

Some scholarships are very quick and easy to apply for. Others take a little more time. Meet all deadlines. If the scholarship application can't be submitted electronically, use certified mail. Missing a deadline could disqualify you.

Open Ended

If you can't submit an application electronically, what should you do?

Open Ended

In your own words, write about three of the scholarship application tips discussed in the lesson and why you would use them.