Making the decision to apply for a college scholarship may seem like a big one. Financial aid may be available to those who qualify. A scholarship is a gift you do not repay. There are many out there, but they tend to require a formal application process. The provider of the scholarship, which could be a school, professional organization, or many others, sets the rules for who earns the scholarship and what the student is allowed to use those funds for.
Many students find the process a bit overwhelming. Others may not be sure where to begin. The resources at Unigo may help alleviate some of these concerns. If you have questions or concerns not answered here, be sure to seek out the help of your high school guidance counselor or college advisor.
When Should You Apply?
Apply to college scholarships in the timeframe the scholarship provider creates. In some cases, they may allow high school juniors to apply. Give yourself enough time before the stated deadline to apply. Some deadlines may be a year or more before college actually begins for you. If you are in high school now, it may be time to start researching and applying. Many students do this during the summer between their junior and senior years of high school. Also, keep in mind that you may be able to apply for scholarships later when you are in college as well. It all depends on the rules set by the provider.
Where Do You Look to Find Scholarships?
Many organizations offer college scholarships. Compare numerous providers. Your school’s financial aid office may provide you with some insight. You may also be able to speak to your high school counselor for help finding scholarships. Talk to your employer and your parent’s employer. You may also want to consider religious organizations, community organizations, foundations, local businesses, and civic groups in your area. There may be some help through ethnicity-based organizations.
In addition to this, you may wish to use the tool at Unigo that helps to pull up a range of scholarships that may interest you depending on many factors, such as your GPA, organizations you are a part of or unique traits and qualifications you may have.
Don’t Overlook More Unique Scholarship Options
Do you have a talent? You may participate in a specific group or organization. If you do something specific, seek out a scholarship that may be available for it. Unigo lists some of these. Do you love to cook? Do you have a passion for volunteering? Look up scholarship options that may be available to you for those specific, less-common traits.
One reason to do that is that there may be fewer competitors for the scholarship. While there may be a lot of students in the U.S. competing for a scholarship for a GPA range, there may be fewer people seeking out more limited skills, such as being a chess player or bowler. There may be some options for gamers, too, for example.
Should You Apply for Small Scholarships?
Making the decision to apply for a scholarship is really up to you and whether you think it may help you to pursue the funds you need. You may find that smaller scholarships worth less are time consuming. Yet, if you earn several of these, it may help you. There is no limit to the number of them you could apply for (though you are unable to apply for more of them than the cost of your education). It may be worth it to choose a few smaller options that may be accessible to you.
Follow the Directions Carefully
This may be one of the important tips you find. Many scholarship providers state that following the directions is often very important for consideration. If you make mistakes here, many scholarship providers are less likely to look closer at your application for consideration.
There are many potential mistakes you could make, such as:
- Not reading the directions for the essay.
- Writing too much or too little in the essay.
- Not finishing the application, such as leaving some answers blank.
- Not providing all information requested by the provider.
- Submitting it late.
- Not submitting information in the proper format.
How Many Scholarships Should You Apply For?
Apply to as many scholarships as you want to or have time to send in. Finding and applying for many scholarships may help you to reduce the cost of your college education. Consider this. Instead of looking for one or two that you think you may have a chance at earning, apply towards numerous scholarships you meet the criteria for and see which ones stick. It is not just about finding one that fits all of your goals. Instead, apply to as many as possible.
How to Use Unigo to Find Scholarships
There are a lot of scholarship providers today. Each one sets its own rules and requirements for applicants. It is up to you, the college student, to find all of those out there that you may qualify for, finish the application as requested, and then hope to be selected. This may take some time and a lot of work.
Unigo aims to make the process a bit easier for you. You may use this tool in various ways. For example, you may be able to type in some info and find a list of scholarships that fit that search factor. If you know what you are looking for specifically, this could be an option.
However, if you are looking for more options, fill in the fields at Unigo to create a profile. Then, it is possible to allow the system to pull up additional information on scholarships you may not have heard of that may fit your needs. In some cases, Unigo may even send you an update on available scholarships that are new additions to the site.
The more resources you have to find a scholarship, the more potential options you have for acquiring the funds necessary to cover your education.
For more information on financial aid, grants, and scholarships, you can download our FREE Education Success Kit.*
*Financial aid may be available to those who qualify. The information on this page is for informational and research purposes only and is not an assurance of financial aid. This website is privately owned and operated and is not affiliated with or endorsed by any governmental entity.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Where Do You Look to Find Scholarships?
Many organizations offer college scholarships. Compare numerous providers. Your school’s financial aid office may provide you with some insight. You may also be able to speak to your high school counselor for help finding scholarships. Talk to your employer and your parent’s employer. You may also want to consider religious organizations, community organizations, foundations, local businesses, and civic groups in your area.
Should You Apply for Small Scholarships?
Making the decision to apply for a scholarship is really up to you and whether you think it may help you to pursue the funds you need. You may find that smaller scholarships worth less are time consuming. Yet, if you earn several of these, it may help you. There is no limit to the number of them you could apply for (though you are unable to apply for more of them than the cost of your education). It may be worth it to choose a few smaller options that may be accessible to you.
How Many Scholarships Should You Apply For?
Apply to as many scholarships as you want to or have time to send in. Finding and applying for many scholarships may help you to reduce the cost of your college education. Consider this. Instead of looking for one or two that you think you may have a chance at earning, apply towards numerous scholarships you meet the criteria for and see which ones stick. It is not just about finding one that fits all of your goals. Instead, apply to as many as possible.