Tuition and living costs can become a major barrier to getting access to high-quality education. That’s why lots of college students decide to search for academic scholarship opportunities to support their studies and everyday needs. In the 2020-2021 academic year, U.S. colleges provided scholarships with a total value exceeding $140 billion. This stood in stark contrast to $55 billion ten years ago.
This is good news if you are looking for scholarship opportunities. However, this also means that you are not the only one! Many others are tracking scholarship opportunities, so you are going up against stiff competition. To be successful, you must prepare for your application in a detailed and planned manner. It takes a lot of effort to persuade the evaluators that you are the best match based on a merit-based assessment of applications.
Federal student aid
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Irrespective of the specific colleges or universities you are considering, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is your mandatory first step to get the ball rolling. FAFSA provides access to federal grants, work-study, and loan application opportunities. It is quick and free, giving you access to a huge range of available options.
Importantly, FAFSA applications are reviewed by most colleges, as well as many private sponsors and foundations. That increases your chances of success. To make the most of them, write a perfect application that evaluators will find impossible to ignore.
Scholarship America
This is a philanthropic foundation that helps applicants gain access to sponsorship opportunities. It functions in concert with many other private entities and companies to co-fund a range of scholarship programs. This increases the number of successful applicants.
A total of nearly 3 million students have already availed of funding opportunities leveraged through Scholarship America. As one of the leading charities, it has managed to raise funds in excess of $4.5 billion. The process is competitive, so you need to be both purposeful and persuasive with your application to go up against an army of competitors.
College Board
I am sure you are familiar with the SAT and ACT tests. You might as well be considering taking them unless you already have one. The College Board operates a scholarship search service, too, giving you access to over 6,000 funding opportunities. Students enjoy using the search service because of its simplicity and search options.
It is important to bear in mind that your workload will be immense regardless of your choice. Expect a flurry of regular assignments and tasks that will need to be completed in accordance with your tutor’s instructions. You can always count on the services of the top essay writing service to manage your workload, submit assignments on time, and ensure compliance with your college requirements.
When using College Board, applicants can filter searches by indicating preferred locations and subjects. The system is designed to identify a range of discrete opportunities designed for religious groups, employed students, divorced parents, and other vulnerable individuals in need.
Unigo
This is another great opportunity. The application process is super easy and hassle-free. All you need to do is create an account to get instant access to multiple scholarship opportunities. The search function helps narrow your quest by entering preferences about subjects, location, and college types.
The types of scholarships available are broad. You can choose from company-sponsored, athletic, merit-based, and other categories to benefit from easy scholarships. Make sure you include all required details when completing the application. It must be free of spelling errors and inconsistencies. Get professional help if unsure about how to write one. There are lots of helpful tips from professional education experts, including those who have served on the scholarship selection committees.
Wrapping Up
Finding a scholarship is a long process requiring a lot of preparation. You must do your due diligence to find out about the available options and choose the ones that meet your long-term educational and career goals best. FAFSA is often the inevitable starting point for many. It provides access to a large pool of scholarship opportunities and programs.
To increase your chances of success, your application must stand out in the multitude of student applications. Selection committees review millions of them, so you must ensure that your application piques their interest right off the bat. Competition can be quite fierce, so you can’t be lax about what you write about yourself or your aspirations. Make it specific, engaging, and goal-oriented to pull it off.
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Diane Sherron is an experienced professional tutor and a popular blogger. She has been advising high school and college students on the pros and cons of college degree programs and relevant scholarship and financial aid opportunities. Diane’s tips have helped thousands of students find their way through complex scholarship application processes and procedures.
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