A scholarship program can be a big help to students who want to pursue their academic goals and interests, but might not be able to afford the full cost of college. These gifts don’t have to be repaid and are offered by public institutions, private companies, communities, religious groups, professional associations, colleges, and other organizations. They can be awarded based on merit, financial need, athletic skills, and a variety of other criteria.
Some scholarships are automatically awarded based on certain criteria like a student’s GPA or standardized test scores, while others require an application and transcripts. Some are geared toward particular groups of people, such as women or graduate students, and others are focused on specific subjects, hobbies, or activities, like music or art. There are even some that are branded, such as the Miss America beauty pageant or the American Airlines Flight 3407 Memorial Scholarship, which helps families of victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks in New York.
Once a scholarship is awarded, how it’s disbursed depends on the rules of the award. The scholarship provider might send the money directly to your college, where it will be applied to tuition fees and other amounts you owe, or it might be sent directly to you in the form of a check. In some cases, the scholarship can be “in-kind,” meaning it comes in the form of school supplies, travel opportunities, mentorships, or summer programs.
To maximize your chances of winning, it’s important to research all the different opportunities you’re eligible for and follow all the application deadlines. You can create spreadsheets, keep track on a calendar, or use a platform like Going Merry to help you keep all the requirements and documents in one place.