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6 Simple Steps To Apply For A Scholarship

6 steps to apply for a scholarship
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In this article, We’ll discuss 6 Simple Steps To Apply For A Scholarship When it comes to paying for college, scholarships are one of the best options.

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The good news is that there is a scholarship for almost anything you can think of. Scholarship chances range from being left-handed to demonstrating your abilities on the football field to constructing a prom costume out of duct tape. When you get a scholarship, the money goes directly to your college tuition (and sometimes books and room and board). You will never be required to repay a scholarship reward.

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Contents

How to Find Scholarships to Apply for

The internet has provided us with a plethora of search engines and online resources that allow us to identify and apply for hundreds of scholarships in minutes. We’ll go over some of the most common methods that you (and your parents!) can use to identify scholarships to apply for. You can surely also rely on tonibe.com for your first-hand information on fresh scholarship opportunities, and you can apply before its closing time. Turn on the notification or join our telegram group to receive new updates on scholarships as soon as it drops.

Scholarship Websites

The downside here is that there is competition and you will find much-outdated information. Regardless, you will still find plenty of useful information, you only have to check the scholarship application period.

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One last note of caution about these sites: Beware of scams. Some scholarship applications may require you to pay a fee in order to apply. You shouldn’t need to pay for any scholarship application. That’s a big red flag. You can check our tips for avoiding scholarship scams in our Upcoming Post.

Newspapers & Bulletin Boards

Traditional search engines should not be neglected! Great local scholarships may be advertised in the newspaper or on a neighborhood bulletin board. Look in schools, cafes, community centers, and places of worship for newspapers or bulletin boards.

These scholarships have the advantage of being less well-known or of having specialized, local criteria that national applicants may not meet. For example, “Must attend North Central Engineering High School” or “Applicants living in Olivier County are eligible” could be part of the scholarship requirement clause. This can improve your chances of getting local scholarship prizes. Simply make a note to apply!

Scholarships Providers

Scholarship providers, like scholarship search tools, vary in terms of organization, accessibility, convenience, and competition. Government, private, and school-based scholarships are the most common. In the diagram below, we’ll break it down:

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Government

Government scholarships are available at the national, state, and local levels. FAFSA is typically used to apply for national and state government scholarships. Because qualifications for national scholarships are more flexible, competition is fierce. Most national scholarships, for example, are not restricted by major, school year, or location.

State and local government scholarships are geographically limited. Local scholarships become more selective in terms of who they consider eligible. However, the credentials are usually based on demographic constraints rather than academic constraints.

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Private

Private scholarships are granted by for-profit organizations such as Coca-Cola and Dr. Pepper, as well as non-profit organizations such as the LEAP Foundation. Because the corporation or group is free to define their own conditions for the scholarship they are financing, both choices offer fairly flexible qualifications.

For-profit scholarships face slightly more competition because they are typically offered by well-known corporations. Scholarships for non-profit organizations might vary substantially. Both private scholarship alternatives typically include a subject in the scholarship application, such as a college major, a passion, your background, or a cause that the organization may promote.

6 ways to apply for scholarship
6 Simple Steps To Apply For A Scholarship

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School

School scholarships can come from your high school (from which you will graduate) or from your college (that you will be attending next year). Scholarships may be supported by the government, a private organization (for-profit or non-profit), alumni, or the school’s own endowment in either case. Some scholarships will be available to all students, while others will be awarded based on certain characteristics (such as leadership) or merit (GPA, sports). Departmental scholarships, for example, may be available at several universities for students majoring in psychology. The less the eligibility conditions, the less competition you have—and the better your chances of winning!

Whether you’re applying for scholarships for the first time as an incoming college student or simply looking for some extra cash to get you through grad school, here’s our step-by-step guide:

While the application process may deter some less-motivated students, it’s really not that bad if you know what you’re getting yourself into (besides, Going Merry can help make the process easier!). Whether you’re applying for scholarships for the first time as an incoming college student or simply looking for some extra cash to get you through grad school, here’s our step-by-step guide:

Step 1: Search for Scholarships You’re Eligible For

You’ve already done the hard work of locating scholarships to apply for. Divide your search now into need-based and merit-based scholarships.

Need-based scholarships are based on your or your family’s ability to pay for education and are only given to candidates who require a little additional financial assistance. Merit scholarships are given to applicants based on their accomplishments or abilities. They may be interested in academics, art, or sports. There are also numerous situation-based scholarships available, such as those for women, minorities, journalism majors, or gamers.

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Your college, private groups, or individuals may grant both need-based and merit-based scholarships. Discuss your possibilities with your high school guidance counselor or the financial aid office at your university.

Step 2: Find and Understand the Application Requirements

It’s important to research the requirements for the scholarship you’re applying for since each application will require you to submit different documents or complete various tasks.

Here are the most common documents and materials needed for a scholarship application:

Scholarship Application Form 

Fill out the scholarship application completely and double-check that the information is correct. (With Going Merry, we automatically fill out your scholarship application forms based on your profile information, saving you time.)

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Letters of Recommendation 

Most scholarships require personal or professional references to write letters of recommendation. Give at least four weeks’ notice when asking for a letter of recommendation from professors, teachers, guidance counselors, or personal sources. You don’t want a hurried recommendation or a stressed-out recommender.

Copies of Transcripts and Diplomas

Even if a scholarship is not based on merit, it may demand a copy of your most current school transcripts as well as your high school graduation. Transcript copies can easily be obtained from your high school or university’s website, as well as the Guidance or Registrar’s Office.

Occasionally, scholarship applications will also require your test scores from the SAT or ACT, or IELTS.

Financial Aid Information 

Some scholarships, especially if they’re need-based, might require you to submit your FAFSA form or sometimes even your parents’ tax and income information along with your application. Some scholarships are not fully funded, you still need to fund partially.

Resume/CV 

An updated resume can make a big difference when it comes to applying for scholarships. Along with your essay, you should view your resume as one of the central pieces of your application—where you can highlight your skills and accomplishments. If you’re looking to take your resume writing skills to the next level, try out these tips.

Portfolio

Sending a portfolio can significantly strengthen an application, especially for art and design-related majors. If you don’t have a portfolio and feel that you might need one, don’t sweat it. There are plenty of resources to help you get started.

Step 3: Create a Calendar

When it comes to how to apply for scholarships, timing is key. It’s a good idea to begin applying as soon as possible…those deadlines can sneak up on you! From the start, make a list (whether in an Excel sheet or with pen and paper) of the scholarships you’d like to apply for, their deadlines, and the required documents and essays. (Going Merry also provides an estimated time for each application).

Make sure to start your scholarship applications well in advance so you’ll be ahead of the game. Some applications will request that you create a media project, such as a video explaining why you should be awarded the scholarship. This can be time-consuming, especially when you’re already busy with classes, homework, and sometimes extracurricular activities! Giving yourself time and starting early will help you confidently submit your scholarship applications.

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Step 4: Rock the Essay

The essay can make or break the application, so it’s important to give it the time and effort that it deserves. Even if you’re lacking confidence when it comes to your writing skills, following a few simple tips can help take your essay to the next level.

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Essay Tip #1: Read the Instructions

One of the most important aspects of your scholarship application is following instructions, from start to finish! Read the instructions for writing your essay as well. If the application requires a word count limit, stay within that limit. If you need to write an essay and submit a media piece, such as a video or photo, send it in!

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Essay Tip #2: Give Yourself Time

When you give yourself sufficient time to write the essay, you’ll have more time to think through your ideas, and have more time for proofreading. Plan your time out beforehand to avoid errors and feel confident about the process.

Essay Tip #3: Find Your Own Path

When you apply for a scholarship, you’re responding to the same writing prompt as hundreds, or maybe even thousands, of other applicants. How can you make your essay stand out from the rest? What can you bring to it that nobody else can? Set some time aside simply to think over your strengths and brainstorm ways to make your essay stand out.

Essay Tip #4: Create an Outline

An outline can help ensure that your essay is fluid and follows a logical sequence of events. Outlines don’t always need to be detailed, even just a basic one can help you organize your ideas!

Essay Tip #5: Liven It Up

Nobody wants to read a boring, lifeless essay…much fewer scholarship committees, who are reading hundreds of applications! Showcase your personality in your writing and let your passion show.

Essay Tip #6: Proofread, Edit, Repeat

Adding five minutes to your essay proofreading time can make a significant difference. We’re all human, and we all make mistakes when we write. Proofread your work, and then have a parent or guidance counselor review it. Having a second set of eyes read over your essay will assist guarantee that it contains accurate spelling and language, keeping it clean and professional when you submit it.

Step 5: Submit Your Materials

After you’ve gathered all of your paperwork and materials, the following step in how to apply for scholarships is to simply submit them! Some scholarships must be filed by mail, while others must be done online, so be sure to read the details. If you asked for letters of recommendation, make sure the individual writing them is aware of the deadline. Also, provide the email address or a stamped envelope with the correct destination address.

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Step 6: Check The Status of Your Scholarships, and Be Patient!

Most scholarships will tell you when you should expect to hear back. You can also check the status of your scholarship after you’ve submitted it to make sure you’ve included all of the required information.

Take a deep breath and relax after submitting your application. Maintain an optimistic attitude while you wait to hear from scholarship providers.

We also recommend keeping an organized list of the scholarships you’ve applied for so you can estimate how much money you’ve applied for, and updating it every time you receive the results of your scholarship application!

Check out some Ongoing fully funded scholarships Here

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