A Successful Strategy for Applying to College Scholarships

By the summer between your junior and senior year of high school, you have likely figured out that every step of the college admissions process should be handled with a well-thought-out strategy. So, it’s no different when it comes to applying for scholarships. Read on to learn how to strategize to gain the highest amount of scholarship money for college.

• 5 types of scholarships to explore
  • Merit Scholarships
  • Tiered Scholarships
  • Departmental & Alumni Scholarships
  • Local Scholarships
  • National Scholarships
    
• When to apply for scholarships

Where do I begin looking for scholarship money?

There are 5 main types of college scholarships to look into.

Merit Scholarships

Merit scholarships, which are provided by the colleges themselves, may be the largest amount of money you will receive in scholarships. Begin by researching the GPA, class rank, and test scores (ACT/SAT) you will need to earn an automatic merit scholarship. Your research should start no later than your sophomore year of high school. This will give you time to earn the required GPA.

Tiered Scholarships

Public universities tend to offer tiered scholarship amounts based on your application information. A select amount of colleges will offer additional highly competitive scholarships based on a separate application process. Highly competitive scholarships probably require an essay and an interview. Note the due date and apply long before it is due. Highly competitive scholarships may be invitation only, based on student applicants who were already admitted.

Departmental & Alumni Scholarships

Departmental and alumni scholarships are the next level of scholarships to apply to after you have been accepted to your college of choice. These can be difficult to find on the website, so you may have to call the financial aid office to ask for the link. Due dates are typically early for competitive and departmental scholarship applications. Some colleges also provide the link within the college email account for admitted students. The scholarships should be renewable with a determined college GPA. Ask your college representative when researching your colleges at a college fair or email them directly via their website.

Local Scholarships

Local scholarships might include one that only your high school graduating senior class is eligible to win. Draw the circle a bit wider and you may find that the city or town you live in has a non-profit that collects area scholarships. High school counselors are privy to this information, so ensure you visit your counselor during junior year to ask these questions.

These scholarships will rarely be renewable after freshman year of college. Many colleges will decrease your financial aid package when these scholarships are sent to the financial aid office. Ask what they will take away. Will it be a grant, work-study, or a loan? How will this affect your financial aid package during your sophomore year of college?

I once had a university take away a work-study opportunity for a student when the $2,500 scholarship was sent to the financial aid office. This move ensured that the student no longer had a way to acquire spending money. I suggested she deny the scholarship because it actually gave her less money to accept it.

National Scholarships

National scholarship search engines have countless scholarship opportunities. Why is it not at the top of the list?

Statistically, every senior may apply for scholarships on sites such as Fastweb. However, the chances of winning a national scholarship are extremely low. I have had two students in my 31 years in education win a national scholarship. After you use all of the strategies above, then, by all means, spend time on these sites!  

Start Researching College Scholarships Early

Students who start researching scholarships early in their high school career will be more organized and know what merit awards are available. They will strategize which colleges to keep on their list and which to delete. Keep an open mind and follow the money!  

Once you know where you can earn merit money, your next step will be determining if you are eligible for financial aid from the federal, state, or the university of your choice.  

This article was originally published on December 16, 2019. It was updated on May 22, 2024 for accuracy and comprehensiveness.