How to Apply for College Scholarships

The High Cost of College 

The cost of higher education in the United States has risen dramatically over the years, making it increasingly difficult for students and their families to afford college. According to the College Board, the average annual tuition and fees at a public four-year college or university in the 2021-2022 academic year was $10,740 for in-state students and $27,560 for out-of-state students.  The  average annual tuition and fees for private four-year colleges and universities was $38,070 for 2021-2022. 

But college is still an important investment for many students despite its high costs. A college degree is often necessary for many career paths and can lead to higher earning potential over a lifetime. However, the high cost of college can also make it difficult for many students to pursue their dreams of higher education.

This is where scholarships can help. Scholarships are a form of financial aid that do not need to be repaid, and they can help make college more affordable for many students. There are a wide variety of scholarships available for high school students.  Many scholarships are need based.  Other scholarships are not based on financial need, or look at financial means as one factor among multiple factors or considerations.  Many scholarships are specific to particular groups of students, such as students who plan on pursuing a particular major or career path, students with family members who work in certain professions or are veterans, students who belong to certain organizations, or students who are members of particular ethnic or religious groups.

Finding Scholarships

How do you go about finding scholarships for which you may qualify?  There are many resources available to help you find scholarships that meet your qualifications.  These include:

• Scholarship search websites: Scholarship search websites such as 
• ScholarshipsforCollege.org let you search for scholarships based on your specific criteria.
• Your high school guidance counselor: Your high school guidance counselor can provide you with information about scholarships available to students attending your school.
• College websites: Many colleges and universities provide information about scholarships on their websites.
• Professional associations: Many professional associations and organizations offer scholarships to students pursuing careers in specific fields.  Review the websites of professional organizations in the field you want to study for scholarships available through those organizations.

Scholarship Requirements

When applying for scholarships, it is important to understand what is required to be considered for a particular scholarship.  Requirements may include:

• Academic achievement: Many scholarships require students to have maintained a certain grade point average.
• Course of study.  Various scholarships require that the student has taken certain classes or pursued a particular course of study.
• Career:  
• Financial need: Some scholarships are based on a student’s financial need.
• Extracurricular activities: Some scholarships require students to have participated in certain extracurricular activities or to have held certain leadership positions.
• Community service: Some scholarships require students to have performed a certain amount of community service.
• Personal statement: Many scholarships require students to write a personal statement or essay.

Applying for Scholarships

Once you have found a scholarship that you qualify for, the next step is to apply. The application process for scholarships can vary depending on the scholarship, but it typically includes the following steps:

• Collect required information: You will need to gather all information required for the scholarship, such as transcripts, test scores, extracurricular activity details, and letters of recommendation.
• Complete the application: This will typically include filling out a form with your personal information and answering questions about your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and financial need.  
• Submit any required materials: Depending on the specific scholarship terms, required materials may include transcripts, test scores (including SAT, ACT and/or PSAT standardized test scores), letters of recommendation.  One of more essays, short answers and/or other written submissions may also be required.
• Meet the deadline: Make sure to submit your application by the specified deadline to be considered for a particular scholarship. Note that some scholarships require multiple rounds of applications, so be sure to check the application deadlines and plan accordingly.

When preparing your scholarship application, it’s important to pay attention to all the details. Be sure to fill out all the required fields and proofread carefully! If an essay is required, make sure you follow the instructions and stay within the word limit.  Read and re-read the instructions, and make sure you have responded carefully, accurately and completely to all of the questions.  Again, be sure to proofread and spell check your application before submitting.

Other Ways to Make College more Affordable

You should apply for all the college scholarships for which you qualify.  Here are additional ways to help pay for college:

• Apply for financial aid: Students can apply for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) located at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid.  The FAFSA application will determine eligibility for grants, loans, and work-study programs.

• Work part-time: Many students work part-time while in college to help pay for their education. This can be a great way to earn money while also gaining work experience which looks great on your resume.

• Be strategic about your choice of major: Research the earning potential of different majors.  Ideally, you want to choose a major that offers strong career prospects upon graduation.  Going to college should be a wonderful and rewarding experience to be treasured.  Your choice of major will greatly impact that overall college experience. Make an informed decision about those majors that are most likely to result in a job that will help you earn back the cost of your education investment.

• Consider alternatives: There are multiple pathways to achieving a successful career.  Alternatives to a traditional four year college include community college, online degrees, vocational schools, and apprenticeships.  These alternative career paths can be more affordable, and rewarding, than traditional four-year colleges and universities.

Conclusion

The high cost of college can be daunting, but scholarships can help ease that financial burden. By taking advantage of scholarships, financial aid, and other cost-saving options, students can make college more affordable and achieve their dreams of higher education.  Do your research and apply for scholarships that meet your qualifications.  Apply for as many scholarships as you can, stay organized, and be persistent.  Good luck with your studies!