Scholarships can significantly reduce the cost of college, but many students miss out because they don’t know where to look or they face stiff competition. The key to securing scholarships is to target less competitive opportunities while strategically applying to the ones with broader eligibility. This guide outlines winning strategies to help you secure scholarships that will ease your financial burden without the stress of high competition.
Why Focus on Scholarships?
Scholarships provide free money for college, which means they do not need to be repaid. Unlike loans, scholarships help you avoid debt and can cover a wide range of expenses, from tuition to living costs. By focusing on scholarships, you reduce the amount of money you’ll need to borrow through student loans.
Benefits of Scholarships:
- Debt-Free Education: Scholarships help cover college costs without requiring repayment, unlike student loans.
- Flexible Use: Many scholarships can be applied to tuition, books, housing, and other educational expenses.
- Less Reliance on Loans: The more scholarships you secure, the fewer loans you’ll need, meaning less debt post-graduation.
Strategy 1: Start Your Search Early
Many scholarships have early deadlines, so the sooner you start your search, the better. By starting early, you can find and apply for a larger number of scholarships, increasing your chances of success.
Tips for Starting Early:
- Begin in Junior Year: Start looking for scholarships as early as your junior year of high school. This gives you plenty of time to research and prepare strong applications.
- Track Deadlines: Create a calendar or spreadsheet to track scholarship deadlines, ensuring you don’t miss out on any opportunities.
- Apply Year-Round: Many students mistakenly think scholarships are only available for incoming freshmen. In reality, there are scholarships available for all years of college, so continue your search throughout your academic journey.
Strategy 2: Target Local and Niche Scholarships
While national scholarships get a lot of attention, they also attract more applicants, making them more competitive. On the other hand, local scholarships and those tied to specific demographics or interests often have fewer applicants, giving you a better chance of winning.
Where to Find Less Competitive Scholarships:
- Local Community Organizations: Rotary Clubs, Lions Clubs, and local businesses often offer scholarships to students in their community. These are typically less competitive because they’re only open to a small pool of applicants.
- Niche Interests: Scholarships aimed at specific hobbies, career goals, or personal backgrounds (such as scholarships for left-handed students or aspiring chefs) tend to have fewer applicants. Use this to your advantage by seeking out scholarships that align with your unique qualities.
- Employer Scholarships: Many companies offer scholarships for employees’ children. These tend to have fewer applicants, especially in smaller companies, giving you a better chance of winning.
Strategy 3: Apply to Multiple Scholarships
The more scholarships you apply to, the higher your chances of securing funding. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket by only applying to a few large scholarships. Instead, diversify your applications and aim for a range of awards.
Best Practices for Applying to Multiple Scholarships:
- Set Weekly Goals: Aim to apply for a certain number of scholarships each week. Even smaller awards can add up and make a big difference in covering college costs.
- Keep Application Materials Ready: Have your resume, transcripts, and recommendation letters prepared so you can quickly apply to new scholarships as you find them.
- Reuse Essays: Many scholarships ask similar questions, so you can repurpose your essays with slight modifications. This saves time and allows you to apply to more scholarships without needing to write brand-new essays for each one.
Strategy 4: Craft Strong, Personalized Applications
A personalized and well-crafted scholarship application can help you stand out from the competition. Instead of submitting generic applications, take the time to tailor each one to the specific scholarship and its criteria.
How to Create Winning Applications:
- Tailor Each Essay: Customize your essay to the specific scholarship’s goals. If the scholarship is for students interested in community service, focus on your volunteer experiences and how they’ve shaped your goals.
- Highlight Your Strengths: Don’t be afraid to showcase your unique talents, experiences, and qualities that make you a strong candidate for the scholarship. Be specific about what sets you apart from other applicants.
- Follow Instructions Carefully: Some scholarships disqualify applicants for not following simple instructions. Make sure to read the application guidelines carefully and provide all required materials.
Strategy 5: Use Scholarship Search Engines
There are numerous online databases designed to help students find scholarships. These platforms allow you to filter scholarships based on criteria like location, major, and personal background, making it easier to find scholarships that match your profile.
Popular Scholarship Search Engines:
- Fastweb: One of the largest and most popular scholarship databases, Fastweb allows you to create a personalized profile and search for scholarships that match your qualifications.
- Scholarships.com: Another extensive database that lets you search for scholarships by a variety of categories.
- Cappex: Known for its user-friendly interface, Cappex helps students find scholarships and college admissions information in one place.
Strategy 6: Don’t Ignore Smaller Awards
Many students focus only on large scholarships, but smaller awards can add up quickly. Don’t overlook scholarships offering $500 or $1,000—winning several smaller awards can cover a significant portion of your college expenses.
Why Small Scholarships Matter:
- Less Competition: Smaller scholarships often attract fewer applicants, giving you a better chance of winning.
- They Add Up: Securing multiple smaller scholarships can cover a large portion of your tuition, housing, or book costs.
- Build a Scholarship Portfolio: Winning several small scholarships can make you a more attractive candidate for larger scholarships down the road.
Strategy 7: Stay Organized and Persistent
The scholarship application process can be time-consuming, but staying organized and persistent is key to securing multiple awards.
Tips for Staying Organized:
- Create a Scholarship Spreadsheet: Use a spreadsheet to track deadlines, application requirements, and follow-up dates for each scholarship you apply to.
- Follow Up: If you don’t hear back from a scholarship provider by the expected deadline, follow up politely to inquire about the status of your application.
- Reapply Each Year: Many scholarships are renewable or offer opportunities to reapply annually. Don’t miss out on scholarships that can provide funding throughout your college career.
Wrapping Up
Winning scholarships with less competition requires a strategic approach. By starting your search early, targeting local and niche opportunities, and crafting strong applications, you can increase your chances of securing funding. Remember to apply for multiple scholarships and stay organized throughout the process—small awards can add up to significant savings in the long run. With these winning strategies, you’ll be well on your way to reducing your college expenses.