Scholarship Questions and Answers

What are my chances of receiving a scholarship?

Scholarships with a wide range of criteria are available. Many scholarships are based on academic merit and reward the best and brightest of high school or college students. However, while grades are often an important part of scholarship criteria, scholarships also reward leadership, athletic ability, a particular talent in fine, dramatic, or performing arts, or perhaps a special ability in mathematics or a foreign language. There are scholarships for students of specific ethnic backgrounds, such as Armenian, Norwegian, African American, or Native American, and awards which are based upon religious affiliation. Some scholarship donors are looking for re-entry students, men and women over 25, who are either just beginning or are returning to college. Scholar-ship money is available to the dependents of veterans, to newspaper carriers, to golf caddies, to 4-H members, and to blind students. Scholarships are available to nearly anyone who is willing to put in the time to research the sources available and who is willing to follow through with the application process.

What can I do to improve my scholarship potential?

While grades are certainly the most important consideration in determining who receives academic scholarships, grades can also influence non-academic awards. So, number one, achieve and maintain, at least a 3.00 GPA and the higher the better for many scholarships. Second, be involved. Some awards are based on participation in a particular club or activity. And, don’t just be a "joiner", be a leader. Third, nurture a special talent or ability. Whether it be music, art, debate, mathematics, baseball, or cooking, a special talent can open scholarship doors. These are just a sample of things which are important to donors, to get you started. Scholarships are awarded for many reasons.

Concentrate on what makes you special and go from there. Remember, as well, perseverance, initiative, resourcefulness, determination, and timeliness are also key to winning scholarships. Apply for anything for which you appear to meet minimum qualifications.

Where can I find scholarship information?

Scholarship information is available from many sources. For high school students, a good place to start is at the counselor’s office or the career center. For everyone, public and school libraries are an excellent place to find references which provide scholarship information. Check under "scholarships" in the card catalog or ask a reference librarian to assist you in locating information.  Since reference material will vary, it is wise, whenever possible, not to limit yourself to just one library. Public and private colleges and universities are also a good source of scholarship information. It is acceptable to review the scholarship information of the colleges in your area, even if you do not attend or plan to attend those schools. As with libraries, the information at every school will be different so check with as many as you can. In addition, most colleges and universities have scholarship funds available specifically to incoming freshman and transfer students. In some cases the application for admission serves as your scholarship application, but at other schools a specific application(s) may be required.  Be sure to check the application guidelines and deadlines at the school you attend or to which you are planning to apply.

Is scholarship information available "on-line"?

The internet is one of the fastest growing sources of scholarship information. Unfortunately, the sites are often not any more current than written information. Still, with the wealth of data now available, it is certainly wise to spend time searching on-line scholarship sites. For a start, try these sites. They may lead you to other sites, as well. Be sure to browse as many as you can find.

How do I get scholarship applications?

Applications may be available through high school counselors or career centers, academic departments, financial aid or scholarship offices, or off scholarship websites. You will, however, get most of your application material by writing directly to the scholarship donor. The most efficient, and the cheapest, way to contact scholarship donors is by using pre-stamped post-cards which are available from the US Postal Service. When writing to a donor indicate the name of the scholarship, the academic year for which you are requesting information and be sure to include your name and address. Remember, the more scholarships your apply for the greater your chance of receiving an award.

Are there deadlines for applying for scholarship?

All scholarships have deadlines.  By 1 October you have begun missing them.   By 15 March, 75% of scholarship deadlines have passed. As deadlines, like finals, always come more quickly than expected, it is VITAL to do your scholarship research early.  Ideally it should be done during the summer or fall prior to the academic year for which you want the awards. As there is usually more involved in completing a application than just filling in a form, it is imperative you allow enough time to get all the pieces of the application together before the due date.  You may have to obtain letters of recommendation, to write an essay, to prepare a portfolio or an audition, or to request copies of transcripts or test scores.  It is also important to know if the due date for each scholarship is a "received by" or a "postmarked by" date, so read the application carefully.  If the application must be "received" by the due date, be sure to allow enough mail time to meet the deadline.

Is there a limit to how many scholarships I can receive in a year?

With few exceptions, there are no limits to the number of scholarships you can receive in a year. There are, however, sometimes limits on athletic, ROTC, or "tuition only" scholarships. Questions about these should be directed to the scholarship donor.

Is there a limit to how much scholarship money I can receive in a year?

As with the question above, there is generally no limit on the amount of scholarship dollars you can receive. Students receiving ROTC or athletic scholarships, however, should check with their programs to see if there may be dollar limits for them.

If I receive a scholarship(s) can I still get financial aid funding?

Yes. Many scholarship recipients also receive federal and state financial aid. While scholarship funding will affect your financial aid award, financial aid offices work to help each student achieve the most beneficial financial aid package possible. Typically scholarships are used to reduce, or to replace, loan or work funding. If you have specific questions about how a scholarship will affect your financial aid, contact the financial aid office. One thing to remember -- it may be necessary for you to claim your scholarships as income when you file your taxes, so keep records of all the awards you receive.

How many years can I receive scholarships?

Scholarships are available for each year of undergraduate work as well as for graduate or professional study. Some scholarships are automatically renewable, if you meet required renewal criteria, while others are single year awards. Each fall you will want to begin your search for the next academic year.