Scholarships are one of the best ways to pay for college, as they are free money that you don’t have to pay back. However, finding and applying for scholarships can be a daunting and competitive process, as there are thousands of scholarships available for students, but only a few will win them. So, how do you increase your chances of winning more scholarships and getting closer to your dream of $150k in scholarships? I will share with you 5 keys to $150k in scholarships, based on the advice of experts and successful scholarship winners. These keys will help you to find, apply, and win more scholarships, and reduce your college costs significantly.
College is one of the most rewarding and exciting experiences in life, but it can also be one of the most expensive and stressful ones. According to the College Board, the average cost of tuition and fees for the 2020-2021 academic year was $10,560 for public four-year in-state institutions, $27,020 for public four-year out-of-state institutions, and $37,650 for private four-year. These figures do not include other expenses, such as room and board, books, transportation, and personal expenses, which can add up to thousands of dollars more. For many students and families, paying for college can be a huge financial burden, and may require taking out student loans, which can lead to long-term debt and interest.
Fortunately, there is a way to reduce or even eliminate your college costs, and that is by applying for scholarships. Scholarships are free money that you do not have to pay back, and that can help you cover some or all of your college expenses. Scholarships are offered by various sources, such as universities, organizations, foundations, companies, and governments, and they are based on various criteria, such as academic merit, financial need, personal interests, talents, skills, or background.
There are thousands of scholarships available for students, but only a few will win them. So, how do you increase your chances of securing scholarships for college and paying less and learning more? In this blog post, we will share with you 6 steps to securing scholarships for college, based on the advice of experts and successful scholarship winners. These steps will help you to find, apply, and win more scholarships, and reduce your college costs significantly.
1 .Start Early
One of the most important keys to $150k in scholarships is to start your scholarship search and application process as early as possible. This will give you more time to research, prepare, and submit your applications, and avoid missing any deadlines or opportunities. According to Alexis Csizmazia, who received one of the QS-IE University Scholarships, “Schools have a specific amount of funding available and the earlier you apply, the more you will receive and the easier it will be to get a scholarship.” Therefore, you should start looking for scholarships as soon as you decide to go to college, or even earlier, and apply for them throughout your high school and college years.
2. Search Smart
Another key to $150k in scholarships is to search smart, meaning that you should use various sources and strategies to find scholarships that match your profile and goals. Some of the sources and strategies you can use are:
• University websites: If you know which universities you want to study at, then you should check their websites for scholarship opportunities, as they may offer merit-based, need-based, or diversity scholarships for their students. Doris Fang, winner of the 2015 QS Connect Masters 1-2-1 Scholarship, says: “I would suggest looking through the website of the university you’re intending to apply to. Normally, the university’s website will give a great deal of resources on scholarships, financial aid and other funding.”
• Scholarship databases: There are many online platforms and websites that list thousands of scholarships for students, based on various criteria, such as academic performance, extracurricular activities, personal interests, nationality, and more. Some of the popular scholarship databases are Fastweb, Scholarships.com, Niche, and Scholly.
• Scholarship providers: Besides universities, there are many other organizations and institutions that offer scholarships for students, such as companies, foundations, associations, clubs, and governments. You can search for these scholarship providers by using keywords related to your field of study, career goals, hobbies, or background, and visit their websites for more information.
• Scholarship advisors: If you need more guidance and assistance in finding and applying for scholarships, you can also consult with scholarship advisors, who are professionals or experts who can help you with your scholarship search and application process. You can find scholarship advisors at your high school, college, or online, and ask them for their advice and feedback.
3. Apply Smart
The third key to $150k in scholarships is to apply smart, meaning that you should apply for as many scholarships as you can, but also be selective and strategic in choosing which ones to apply for. Some of the tips and tricks you can use to apply smart are:
• Apply for scholarships that match your qualifications and interests: You should only apply for scholarships that you are eligible for and that align with your academic performance, career goals, personal interests, or background. This will increase your chances of winning the scholarship, as you will be able to demonstrate your fit and suitability for the scholarship. Thuy Phamova Thanh, who successfully applied for one of the QS-Manchester Business School Scholarships, says: “Research is the key. Talk to people and search using various resources, such as libraries, internet or books, for available funding opportunities.”
• Apply for scholarships that have less competition: You should also apply for scholarships that have less applicants or less publicity, as they will have lower competition and higher chances of winning. These scholarships may be offered by local or niche organizations, or have specific or unusual requirements, such as an essay on a unique topic, a video submission, or a creative project. You can find these scholarships by using keywords that describe your unique traits, such as your hobbies, talents, skills, or experiences.
• Apply for scholarships that have higher awards: You should also apply for scholarships that have higher amounts or longer durations, as they will help you to cover more of your college costs and reduce your financial stress. These scholarships may be offered by prestigious or generous organizations, or have more rigorous or demanding requirements, such as a high GPA, a strong recommendation letter, or a detailed application form. You can find these scholarships by using keywords that describe your academic achievements, such as your major, your honors, or your test scores.
• Apply for scholarships that have multiple awards: You should also apply for scholarships that have multiple winners or recipients, as they will give you more opportunities and chances to win the scholarship. These scholarships may be offered by large or popular organizations, or have more general or broad requirements, such as an essay on a common topic, a short answer question, or a simple application form. You can find these scholarships by using keywords that describe your general characteristics, such as your nationality, your gender, or your grade level.
4. Prepare Well
The fourth key to $150k in scholarships is to prepare well, meaning that you should spend enough time and effort to complete and submit your scholarship applications, and make sure that they are of high quality and stand out from the crowd. Some of the steps and tips you can follow to prepare well are:
• Gather all the required documents and materials: You should read the scholarship instructions and guidelines carefully, and make a list of all the documents and materials that you need to submit for your application, such as your transcript, your resume, your recommendation letters, your essays, or your portfolio. You should also check the format, the length, and the deadline of each document and material, and make sure that you follow them strictly.
• Write a compelling and unique essay: You should write an essay that showcases your personality, your achievements, your goals, and your reasons for applying for the scholarship, and that answers the essay prompt or question clearly and convincingly. You should also write an essay that is original and unique, and that reflects your voice and style, and that avoids clichés and plagiarism. You should also write an essay that is well-structured and well-written, and that uses clear and concise language, and that follows the rules of grammar, spelling, and punctuation.
• Ask for feedback and proofread your application: You should ask for feedback and advice from your teachers, your counselors, your peers, or your scholarship advisors, and ask them to review your application and give you their suggestions and comments. You should also proofread your application yourself, and check for any errors or mistakes, and make any necessary revisions or improvements. You should also make sure that your application is complete and consistent, and that it matches your qualifications and interests.
5. Apply Again
The fifth and final key to $150k in scholarships is to apply again, meaning that you should not give up or lose hope if you don’t win a scholarship, but instead, you should keep applying for more scholarships until you reach your goal. Some of the reasons and benefits of applying again are:
• You will have more experience and confidence: You will have learned from your previous applications and mistakes, and you will have improved your skills and abilities, and you will have gained more experience and confidence in applying for scholarships. You will also have a better understanding of what the scholarship providers are looking for, and you will be able to tailor your applications accordingly.
• You will have more opportunities and options: You will have discovered more scholarships that suit your profile and goals, and you will have more opportunities and options to choose from. You will also have more chances to win a scholarship, as some scholarships may be offered multiple times or annually, and some scholarships may have different deadlines or cycles.
• You will have more motivation and determination: You will have realized that applying for scholarships is not easy or guaranteed, but it is possible and rewarding, and you will have more motivation and determination to pursue your dream of $150k in scholarships. You will also have more support and encouragement from your family, your friends, or your mentors, and you will have more gratitude and appreciation for your achievements and successes.
Conclusion
Applying for scholarships is one of the best ways to pay for college, but it is also one of the most challenging and competitive processes. However, by following these 5 keys to $150k in scholarships, you will be able to find, apply, and win more scholarships, and get closer to your dream of $150k in scholarships. These keys are:
- Start early
- Search smart
- Apply smart
- Prepare well
- Apply again
We hope that this blog post has been helpful and informative for you, and that you will use these keys to $150k in scholarships to achieve your academic and financial goals. We wish you all the best in your scholarship journey, and we hope that you will share your success stories with us. Good luck and happy applying!
