Winning scholarships requires some motivation
After a recent column about searching for college scholarships, a reader posed an interesting question: “Have you ever wondered how your life would have been different if you never had the opportunity to attend college?”
I’ve pondered that question this spring while judging applications and essays from high school juniors applying for $10,000 annual scholarships for up to five years of college from a nonprofit foundation.
As someone who has judged scholarship essays for this organization for the past eight years, it’s amazing to hear the stories from the many applicants who have put their heart and soul into what they hope will be a successful outcome.
Many of these teens come from single-parent, low-income households and are barely scraping by.
Some dream of being the first family member to pursue a college degree. Others have significant financial barriers to overcome. One thing they all have in common: earning scholarships holds immense significance for their college aspirations and the future.
In recent weeks, I’ve read essays from student scholars who aspire to be doctors, engineers, biochemists, filmmakers, neonatal nurses, anesthesiologists, construction managers, physical therapists, computer programmers, teachers and more.
For some, a trade school or two-year community college is the next step.
For others, the ultimate dream is grad school, which has its own set of financial barriers.
One aspiring educator wrote that she wanted to be that favorite teacher who students will remember forever. Another hoped to have a successful career in business so she could dedicate her time and money to supporting her parents.
They all seemingly are perfectly capable at succeeding in college; they just lack the financial means. If only all of them could be winners.
I’ve interviewed many teens over the years for their tips on how to win scholarships. While many deadlines have passed for the Class of 2024, it’s never too early for current high school juniors to start their scholarship homework as the school year starts winding down.
Here are some tips.
Get organized. Search online scholarship websites, such as the College Board, FastWeb, Scholarships.com and the U.S. Department of Labor, for organizations related to your interests. Use a planner or calendar to plot application deadlines.
Take an essay-writing class this summer to fine-tune your writing and your personal story.
Don’t pay anyone who offers to find scholarships for you. Do your own legwork. The information is out there for free.
Don’t ignore small awards offered by organizations in your community. One or two $500 awards will cover book and lab expenses for the year. Moreover, your odds of winning are higher because there are fewer applicants vying for the money.
Bottom line: Be motivated. While it’s great to have your high school counselor, church youth director or even your employer in your corner, it still comes down to how badly you want to put in the time and effort to succeed.