Scholarships 101: Finding and Applying for Financial Assistance
Applying to college and getting accepted – that’s the fun part.
Realizing the cost of said college – that’s the not-so-fun part.
We get it, y’all. Affording anything, let alone college tuition, in this bonkers decade (if I hear “unprecedented event” one more time, I’m screaming endlessly into the void) definitely isn’t easy. But the good news is there are a lot of scholarships available to help offset the cost of attending a university.
Finding those scholarships can be quite an undertaking, though. So, here’s a guide to help you get started as you look for the ones that fit your situation.
A Warning Before We Get Started: Be Careful About Scams or Fraud
It stinks, but there will always be people looking to take advantage. Don’t get caught up in any scholarship scams or fraud, or you could end up losing money to them. You should never have to pay to access any information about scholarships, according to the Federal Trade Commission. If a site asks you to pay to access something, run the other way. Here are some common signs of a scam:
- Getting an email that says you won a scholarship you never applied for
- Anything that promises a money-back guarantee
- Verbiage that says they’ll offer you exclusive information
- Asking for your credit card or bank account number
- Offering to fill out your FAFSA for you for a processing fee
Also, if you attend a scholarship seminar, be on the lookout for red flags there. Don’t pay anything there and research the sponsoring company beforehand. There may be online reviews that tell you what’s going on behind the scenes.
Step 1: Fill Out Your FAFSA and Talk to Your Counselor
OK, we got the scam warning out of the way – now that you know what to avoid, let’s talk about what you do want to do.
Your first action item is to fill out your FAFSA form, as that will give you a good look into what kind of federal financial aid you’ll be able to get. Once you know that, you’ll know how much you need to try and obtain via scholarship funds.
After you have your FAFSA filled out, schedule a meeting with your school counselor. They will have information on scholarships and grants that you can apply for, and they’ll likely be happy to help you fill out those applications. Your counselor may also have the 411 on any local scholarships given by organizations like the Rotary Club or Kiwanis.
Step 2: Look for Scholarship Search Sites
Once you’ve exhausted your counselor’s knowledge, you can turn to scholarship search sites to help you find funding. Think of these like Google, but specifically for scholarships. Many of them allow you to search using filters like keywords and scholarship types. Most of the sites will also let you create a profile so you can easily find opportunities that match your needs. Check out some of these:
Another option: sign up for a site like Upromise. It’s a rewards program that tracks your shopping and eating-out purchases. You can transfer your rewards into a 529 account and use them toward your college tuition costs.
Step 3: Find the Right Type of Scholarships for You
Searching for scholarships can get overwhelming, not to mention time-consuming. Knowing the different types of scholarships out there can help you focus your efforts on the ones most relevant to you.
Also, there are options and opportunities you likely don’t know about – getting a handle on the types available might just increase your chance of obtaining more financial aid. Let’s take a look at the kinds of scholarships you could find:
- Merit-based: Awarded based on a student’s academic, athletic, or artistic achievements
- Need-based: Offered due to financial need, the amount is typically determined by your family income or other financial factors
- Field of study: Distributed to students pursuing a specific field, like STEM, business, or the arts
- Community service: Awarded to students who demonstrate a commitment to volunteerism and community service
- Military: Available to students who are active-duty, veterans, or dependents of military personnel
- Employer: Given to company employees or their dependents as a benefit of employment
- Study abroad: Offered to students who want to study abroad, these scholarships cover expenses like tuition, travel, or housing
- Essay/contest: Given to students who enter a scholarship contest that requires an essay submission or participation in a contest
- College-specific: Distributed to incoming students based on various criteria like financial need, academic achievement, or involvement in specific activities
- Private organization: Given to students by a foundation, organization, or non-profit that offers scholarships for various reasons, like community involvement
Keep in mind that each type will have certain requirements, like maintaining your GPA or having a specific amount of community service hours. Research those requirements ahead of time so you can plan.
Step 4: Apply for Scholarships: Dos and Don’ts
OK, you’ve researched your scholarships and you know what types are available. Now comes the big part: applying for them. This is the part you should not procrastinate on, because it’s going to take up the biggest chunk of your time.
Start applying for them as soon as you’re eligible, and give yourself plenty of time to get everything in before the deadline. Some scholarships are only available once, while some are available on an annual basis. You may be applying throughout your college career. Here are some other do’s and don’ts to be aware of:
What You Should Do
We already went over starting early, but it’s an important point so I’ll say it again: start early. Look for scholarships in your junior year so you have time to research and build your application.
Read the eligibility requirements carefully. Each scholarship will have its own set of requirements. Pay close attention so you don’t waste time and effort.
Keep track of your deadlines. Consider making a calendar that outlines each scholarship deadline so that you have a visual of what’s coming up.
Gather all required documents. Most scholarships will require you to submit documents like transcripts, letters of recommendation, and essays. Have all of those assembled and in the correct file formats ahead of time.
Customize your application. Each scholarship has different requirements. For each application, make sure to highlight how you meet those requirements and how it aligns with the scholarship’s criteria. Also, read these tips on how to stand out in your applications.
Proofread your application. This is the first impression you’re making on a scholarship committee. Turning in an application riddled with errors won’t be a good first impression. Use a free tool like Grammarly, ask your parent to review, or have your verbally inclined friend edit for you.
Follow all the instructions. It’s vital to follow the instructions given by the scholarship provider. Failing to do so might get your application rejected, and that’s definitely not an ideal outcome.
Apply for multiple scholarships. Don’t limit yourself to just one or two scholarships. Instead, apply for as many as you can so that you increase your chances of receiving financial aid.
What You Shouldn’t Do
This list is just as important as the items you should do. Applying for scholarships is important, so you need to treat it that way. This list outlines what not to do while looking for financial aid.
Wait until the last minute. You’re likely tired of hearing this from every adult in your life, but procrastination often doesn’t work out. Waiting until the last minute when it comes to scholarships means missing out on valuable time and opportunities.
Submit an incomplete application. An incomplete application may be disqualified. Make sure you’re paying attention to detail and submitting all the necessary documents.
Assume you won’t qualify. Some students may see a scholarship and think they won’t qualify. This isn’t necessarily the case. Read through all the requirements thoroughly before you make a decision.
Rely on just one type of scholarship. There are various types available, as we covered above. Don’t limit yourself to just one. Explore all of your options.
Ask others to write your essay. Scholarship committees want to hear your voice, first of all. Having someone else write it for you may end up going badly. Make sure it’s your own work – and don’t use AI, either. They don’t want to read robotic copy from ChatGPT.
Get discouraged by rejections. Sorry to break it to you, but you are not going to get every scholarship you apply for. Keep your head up and stay persistent with your applications.
Miss deadlines. Missing a deadline can result in your application not being accepted. That’s why keeping track of all deadlines is super important during this process.
Provide false information. Ensure everything you put on a scholarship application is accurate. Giving any false information could disqualify you and possibly make you ineligible for any future applications.
Step 5: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions
Applying for scholarships isn’t easy. If you need help from someone, whether it’s your parent, counselor, teacher, or even the scholarship committee, don’t be afraid to reach out. Need some other resources on college scholarships? Check out these articles here:
- Grants and Scholarships 101
- How to Get College Scholarships While You’re Still in High School
- Top Ways to Find College Scholarships (for Free)
- Top Things You Need to Know About Merit Aid Scholarships
- Common Financial Aid Terms Defined
If you’re applying to USF, our admissions team can help you find the answers you need. Email admissions@usf.edu or call 813-974-3350.
If you have any questions about USF scholarships please reach out to University Scholarships & Financial Aid Services at USF. We can explain your options on paying for college, including opportunities you may not know about.
