Millions of students miss out on scholarship opportunities every year why? Well, many simply start too late. A study by Sallie Mae shows that only 58% of families apply for scholarships, yet those who do receive an average of $4,202. Surprising or not surprising, this shows why timing is crucial when applying for scholarships be it local or international. For the record, many scholarships open as early as a year before college begins to give students enough time to apply. But guess what? Some students often wait until the last minute to apply hence, reducing their chances. To apply early is to give yourself more time to prepare a strong and persuasive application, increasing your chances of gaining scholarships. The difference between graduating debt free or burning in student loans could be applying for scholarships at the right time. When, why it is important to apply on time, and what steps to take to apply for scholarships will be discussed here.
When Should You Start Applying for Scholarships?
The simplest answer to this question is as early as possible. Waiting until the deadline is near or when you are in your final year in high school or already in university to submit your application is a costly mistake to make.
Some scholarships are available as early as junior secondary school, so take advantage of applying to them on time. The earlier you begin, the more chances you get to apply for even more different opportunities that come by. The pros of starting early are that you can gather the necessary documents, write a compelling essay, craft a strong application, and meet deadlines. You don’t want to miss out on great opportunities just because the deadline has passed.
You may also want to consider competitiveness as one reason why you should start on time. Many people are applying for scholarships and so are you. That said, to stand out, you will need to apply early to beat the rush.
How Early Should You Apply?
One smart decision you can make as a student is to apply early for scholarships. Even before your final year of high school, you should have applied should you come across a scholarship. This is so as not to miss out on opportunities.
The aim is to stay ahead of others who may also be clamoring for the same chance as you. Say over 10,000 students apply for a scholarship and you are among the first few hundred, you stand a chance compared to when you wait till the last moment.
It will surprise you to know that some scholarships are given on a first come, first served basis. This is to say anyone who applies on time often has a better chance of being selected. This is as true as it sounds for some scholarships. And suppose you don’t get the scholarship, since you applied early, you can always have more than enough time to try out fresh opportunities at the get go. You don’t need to rush things when you can kick off at the right time and be at peace.
Types of Scholarship to Apply For
If you are in your final year in high school, thinking about paying for tuition fees in university can be worrisome considering the cost, but the good thing is that if you are lucky you can win a scholarship that caters to your needs. Listed below are six different types of scholarships to look forward to applying for:
1. Merit Based Scholarships
Scholarships under merit are made available for students with exceptional grades or those with special talents in music, arts, sports, science, or leadership. Do you have a talent or have impressive grades? This is your chance to apply.
2. Need Based Scholarships
As the name implies, students with little or no funding to continue their higher education can apply for these scholarships. They provide enough funds to cater to the needs of students who are faced with financial constraints.
3. Government Scholarships
These scholarships are often given by the local, state, or national governments of various countries of the world. While they may depend on your academic performance, financial needs, or even your intended choice of study, you can apply if you stand a chance.
4. University Scholarships
Many universities offer scholarship opportunities to students both locals and foreigners. Some good examples are the Yale University Scholarship, DAAD Scholarship Germany, and Stanford University Scholarships, etc. You can apply online for their scholarships through their respective websites. There might just be help waiting for you if you try your luck.
5. Private or Company Scholarships
Over the years, big companies, foundations, and communities all over the world have given out scholarships to help support the academic needs of students who merit these opportunities. Applying for these scholarships may require you to study a specific course, live in a certain area, or do some community service. Anyway, you can offset the burden that comes with pursuing higher education by winning these scholarships.
6. Group Specific Scholarships
These scholarships are becoming popular as they help certain groups of people women, students with disability, or minority groups to further their education, offering opportunities to support their academic journey. If you fit into any of the categories, you can apply for them and who knows if the odds might favor you.
Steps to Take Before Applying for Scholarships
There are a few things to have in mind before you apply for scholarships. Taking just the right steps gives you an edge over other students. Listed below are things you should do before you hit apply!
1. Know what you want to study
This should be at the tip of your finger even before now. Before you apply for scholarships, you should know the course you want to pursue and most importantly why you choose to study the course course. Why so? This is to help you narrow down your search to scholarships that best suit your interests. Let’s say you desire to study engineering at a higher level, you’ll want to search for scholarships that sponsor engineering students.
2. Research Scholarships That Fit You
Not every scholarship is worth your effort and time. Some are meant for specific groups of people and they may not suit your interest. To save the stress of applying to irrelevant scholarships, go for the ones that target your field. Since you now know what you want to study in school it will help you attract the right scholarships. Scholarships that suit your background, skills, and needs. Kindly make a list of the ones you qualify for and send your applications.
3. Get Your Documents Ready
Next up is to get your documents ready. Many scholarships will ask for necessary documents like your academic transcripts, ID, recommendation letters, and a personal statement or essay depending on what the institution demands. Once you know what scholarships suit your interest, the best thing to do is to gather this important information as early as possible. Keeping all your details complete and updated is highly recommended.
4. Prepare a Strong Personal Statement
A strong personal statement can do the most magic when applying for scholarships. It is your chance to showcase to your sponsors all you have in store if you are given the opportunity to study the course of your choice. Show who you are, what your goals are and most important, why you deserve the scholarship. You will want to keep it honest, well structured, and persuasive yet straight to the point to avoid complicating things.
5. Track Deadlines and Apply Early
Last but not least, keep to deadlines to stay organized, and if that would be a problem for you, you can consider creating a calendar to help you keep track of deadlines so you don’t miss out on scholarships. Meanwhile, as much as it is required of you to keep track of deadlines, you should also apply early to scholarships to avoid sending your applications last minute. This shows seriousness and at least gives you time to correct mistakes if any.
How Many Scholarships Should I Apply For?
You may have read blogs that tell you to apply for as many scholarships as possible, but the truth is that while this can be helpful to some extent, it is not all that. It is important that you strike a balance between quantity and quality. Applying for too many scholarships can reduce the quality of your application and it shouldn’t be so. A good rule of thumb should be to focus on scholarships that align with your interests, a handful of those will do just good. You may want to consider the ones with higher amounts, or those with fewer applications as they may be less competitive and can add up to significant financial aid over time. The goal is not to apply to too little or too many.
Applying for a manageable number of scholarships that you can easily commit to and keep track of their deadlines is a smart decision to make as a student looking forward to liberating yourself from the chokeholds of financial insufficiency.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to apply for scholarships?
As soon as possible is the best time to apply for scholarships so that you do not miss any chances while getting ahead of deadlines. Scholarships are not just for the final year; juniors and seniors in high school can apply early as well.
Can it be done before entering a university?
Yes, you can apply for scholarships even before gaining admission to a university if you are an incoming student. Some universities and private scholarships may ask that you apply either before or during the admission process. That means you do not have to wait until you are in school; you can just apply right away.
3. Are there any scholarships that are available throughout the year?
Yes, and that depends. Some scholarships require fixed deadlines but others may be open on a rolling basis throughout the year. That is why it helps to have a schedule or a list of scholarships along with their deadlines. Staying organized keeps you ahead of the rush.
4. What happens if I miss that deadline? Am I able to apply the following year?
In most cases, yes. Lots of scholarships are held annually, so missing one cycle doesn’t mean you’ve missed it forever. Just remember it for the next year; prepare early and shoot. The more you try the more chances you create for yourself.
5. Is it too late to apply if I am already in school?
No! There are scholarships available for students at all levels—postgraduate students included. Just start, search hard, and keep applying!
Wrap up
It is not only smart but highly recommendable that as a student looking for financial aid you should start applying for scholarships as early as possible. So far, this article has established the benefits that come with applying on time. For one, you stay ahead of other applicants, increasing your success rate, and more so, you can have enough time to apply for more scholarships. Additionally, applying early also allows you to prepare your application to stand out. It doesn’t matter whether the scholarship you are applying for is merit based or even group specific, the earlier you apply, the better your chances of winning one. The most important thing however should be to focus on scholarships that fit you. In the end, keep in mind that applying for the right scholarships is as important as applying early. Don’t rush and don’t wait either. Just start. After much is said and done, your future self will thank you for this piece of information.
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