There are so many scholarship opportunities available to incoming freshmen as well as current college students. Here’s how to make the most out of all those opportunities.
How to Apply
Applying for scholarships is an easy process. And Schoalroo has made it easier by gathering computer science scholarships for you. You can save all the scholarships that you are eligible for by creating a Scholaroo account and also track your saved scholarships.
Here are the basics of applying for scholarships:
1. Check eligibility: You don’t want to waste your time applying for a scholarship that you’re not even eligible for. So make sure that you’ve read through all the criteria before you start the application. If you’re unsure about anything don’t hesitate to reach out to the organization for clarification.
2. Read and understand the application requirements: Some applications are straightforward, and all you have to do is fill out a form, but most require a bit more than that. You’ll need to submit several documents. These are the usual requirements:
– Scholarship Application Form: Scholarship application is unique for each scholarship and is a must to be considered as an applicant. It usually asks for general information about the application like their name, date of birth, education, address, and so on. It may also contain a few short answer questions relevant to the scholarship.
– Essay: Many scholarships require an essay along with the application form. Applicants can make themselves stand out via their essays. Therefore, you should take proper time and put in good effort when writing one. It’s important that your essay is original, and represents your personality and opinions.
– Letters of Recommendation: A letter of recommendation can be written by your personal or professional references. Some scholarships specifically demand letters of recommendation from teachers. The letter contains reasons for why the applicant is a deserving one. It assesses the applicant’s qualities, characteristics, strengths, capabilities, and academic performance, which kind of acts as a character certificate when applying for scholarships.
– Grade Transcripts: Many scholarships whether they are merit-based or need-based usually require school transcripts that show the academic performance of an individual. You can get a copy through your school’s website or the office and attach it to the application form.
– Resume: A resume is where an applicant can highlight their skills and accomplishments. It does not have to have work experiences only but can also include mentions of any societies or extra-curricular activities that you have been a part of, and any special courses that you have completed that equipped you with a certain skill.
– Financial Information: Many need-based scholarships may ask you to provide financial information that may include information about your family income and any financial aid that you may have received.
– FAFSA: Some scholarships require applicants to apply for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be eligible for them. These are mainly need-based scholarships.
– Portfolio or Video Submission: There are a few scholarships that ask for video or portfolio submissions. This usually applies to art major scholarships as videos and portfolios are how an applicant can show their skills. Some scholarships do not have other requirements and are like a contest where participants have to make a project and provide a picture or video of it to enter and win.
– School Verification: A school verification letter verifies which school the candidate is attending or has attended, the dates when they started and finished a program, and also includes a list of any certificates or degrees earned.
– Standardized Test Scores: Occasionally, you may need to provide a copy of your SAT or ACT scores These are standardized test scores that most colleges and universities require for admission.
3. Get organized: Once you’ve saved your scholarships, note their submission deadlines. Order them by those dates so you don’t miss any and start working on the ones due first. Timing is very important and the earlier you apply the better it is. It is always wise to start early too because it may take time to complete all the submission requirements like writing essays and getting letters of recommendation in hand. Time should, especially, be invested in scholarships that require an essay as it takes a lot of time, planning, and effort to write a good one.
4. Proofread and have it reviewed: Please don’t submit the first thing you wrote down. Take your time to proofread and edit your work. Remember that you want to put your best foot forward – this will be the scholarship committee’s first impression of you, so make it a good one. It’s also a good idea to have one or two people read your work and give you feedback – ask a teacher, parent, sibling, or trusted friend.
5. Finally, time to submit: Now that your application is ready, it’s time to submit. Make sure all documents are sized and formatted correctly according to the guidelines provided by the scholarship sponsors. Ensure that all your donuts are ready, legible, and correct. Luckily most applications are completed online so you don’t need a dozen copies of everything. Keep track of your application status and remember that it takes time before you’ll hear back. If it’s been too long, you can reach out and enquire with the organization.
Tips for Applying
1. Start Early: The earlier you start looking for scholarships and applying for them, the better your chances of being selected as a recipient. Start researching potential scholarship opportunities before your freshman year so that you can take advantage of all the possibilities available to you.
2. Show Your Passion: Colleges and universities have various scholarship programs that provide financial aid to students based on their interests and hobbies. Put together a portfolio that showcases your various talents, skills and passions so you can stand out from the competition.
3. Get Involved: Participating in student organizations and activities is one of the best ways to boost your chances of winning scholarships. Take part in competitions, join clubs and volunteer in your community to show that you are a well-rounded individual who is passionate about giving back. Doing so will allow you to develop new skills and make valuable connections that can help you land the scholarship of your dreams.
4. Customize Your Applications: Although you may think it’s a time-saving shortcut, using the same content for all of your applications may not work. You can reuse some parts but make sure that you adjust and tweak your responses for each application. Every scholarship committee is looking for something different so take the time to really understand the scholarship and adjust your work to suit what they’re looking for.
