Why Apply for Scholarships?

You may ask why you should apply for a scholarship when thousands of other students around the United States, and in some cases the world, apply for the same award. Well, first, there are several strategies as to which scholarships you should apply for and which ones you shouldn’t. It would be more beneficial to apply for 10 scholarships and focus on those 10 than to apply for 30 scholarships without giving much time and commitment to any particular one. Often times, many scholarships require similar components (essays, application information, etc.).

Scholarships can help you pay for your college expenses including tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other required materials. The costs of attending college are rising, and if someone is willing to pay you money to go to school, why not go for it? Scholarships are an organization’s financial investment in your potential. They award scholarships to individuals whom they see as people who will make a difference, so see it as a challenge to go out and achieve your best. Even if you don’t win a major national scholarship, there are still many local scholarships for which you can apply. $500 can go a long way when textbooks can cost upwards of $100. If you can attend college without having to take a large amount in loans and not have to earn a lot through work study, you will be in a better shape financially after you graduate.

While scholarships can cut down your college costs considerably, the value in applying for scholarships lies beyond just winning monetary awards. According to www.scholarshiphelp.org, “the scholarship process is also a way to develop the winning skills that will serve you well in whatever you do in your life.” In my own experience, I discovered that the more scholarships I applied for the easier it became to fill out applications, reuse essays, and add to my resume. More than that, however, the time that I spent on those essays sharpened my writing skills considerably, making my transition to college easier. For freshmen, sophomores, and juniors, the sooner you start your scholarship search, the less trouble you will experience with the bane of high school seniors nationwide – college applications. After filling out scholarship application after application, I was able to finish my college applications on time and well before most of my friends did.

In addition, applying for scholarships demands and develops organizational skills. The importance of being organized and well-prepared is essential to winning scholarships. Organization counts not only in time management, but in filing and keeping documents as well. It is important to make photocopies of your applications and any submitted documents so you have a template for additional scholarships and even college applications.

For some scholarships, you may the opportunity to attend an award ceremony if you win. These ceremonies provide more than just a time of celebration, but an opportunity to network with successful individuals who are genuinely interested in helping you. The most prestigious scholarships sometimes provide an all-expenses paid trip to a conference that honors your achievements and allows you to meet other scholars. These networking events can form the foundation for building a successful career. I’ve been fortunate enough to attend conferences in Washington, DC, and Los Angeles, so I know first-hand the value of these functions.

There are many more reasons to apply for scholarships, but these are just a few. My mother always told me that, if you spend three hours working diligently on a scholarship application and win the scholarship, your hourly wages from the award greatly exceeds what you would probably earn working 20 hours a week earning $10 an hour. Granted, there are certainly exceptions to such a concept; yet there is still truth in the lesson. Scholarships save money for you, your parents, and allow you to worry less about college costs and other necessities.