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3 Top Scholarship Tips
There really is a MUCH better way to find and apply for scholarships!
Statements like this seriously hurt my ears.
Why?
Because the students who say this have not bothered to research HOW to win scholarships. They have no idea that there is a better way to apply and it makes me sad.
You, however, are different.
You have landed on this post hoping to learn winning strategies to help you or your student become a successful scholarship recipient.
You want to avoid student debt as much as possible.
I’ve been there and I am so glad that you are here!
Here are my top 3 scholarship tips that will get you started in researching how to impress the judging committees and win more money for college.
1. Start the scholarship process as early as possible
This is called Scholarship Prep and is an amazing way to propel younger students into a more favorable position when the time comes for them to apply for scholarships.
- Volunteer as a family
There are tons of scholarships open to students who value community service.
- Teach students that asking for help is SMART and not a sign of weakness
Head off problems in school early, before they affect grades.
- Get organized
Create a safe place for report cards, community service hours and contacts, award certificates, etc.
Learn all about Scholarship Prep in this post right here and calculate your student’s chances of getting into any college with this free tool.
2. Ignore scholarship assumptions and myths
There are so many incorrect assumptions out there when it comes to who wins scholarships.
MYTH: Only smart kids win scholarships
TRUTH: Many scholarship applications do not even ask for a student’s G.P.A. or ACT/SAT score(s).
MYTH: Most scholarships are open to minorities only
TRUTH: There are thousands of scholarships available for all students. The key is learning how to find them without losing your mind. (Trust me on this one!)
MYTH: We need to be broke to qualify to apply for scholarships
TRUTH: We are a middle-income family and all three of my boys won enough scholarships that my husband and I did not have to take out any parent loans to pay for their college education. Absolutely file the FAFSA every year, but don’t count on the government awarding your students free money. Learn how to find it yourself.
All my winning scholarship secrets are revealed right here >>
Open to High School Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors! APPLY NOW HERE
MYTH: All scholarships require an essay
TRUTH: Scholarships for a student’s talents are easily found if you know how to search correctly. A few examples are photography, video creation, sports experiences, etc.
MYTH: Scholarship work is extremely time-consuming
TRUTH: There are three scholarship essay prompts that are seen over and over in scholarship applications. Once students have written compelling essays for each of these prompts, the essays can be used for multiple scholarship applications, saving a TON of time. Find the three most popular essay prompts in this post.
3. Partner with your student – When they win, you win with less tuition to pay and loans to take out
Students need guidance, and the more parental involvement, the more scholarships they will be able to apply for, and the better their chances of winning.
Parents can play a key part in the scholarship process right from the start by helping their teens become organized, find scholarships they qualify to apply for, reminding them of deadlines, and much more.
Moms and dads, don’t be afraid to become involved and learn along with your students the best ways to create scholarship application packets that stand out from the rest and impress the judges.
Take their hands and become partners in the college scholarship process right from the start!
Be sure to read: College Scholarship Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Student debt is a huge burden for our students. Use the SMART applying strategies found in my ebook, How to Win College Scholarships, and I will be with you every step of the way. Monica Matthews
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Monica Matthews is the author of How to Win College Scholarships. She helped her own son win over $100,000 in college scholarships and now shares her expertise with other parents and their students. She truly has “been there, done that” in regard to helping parents and students navigate the scholarship process.
Her method of helping students in finding college scholarships, writing unique and compelling scholarship essays, creating amazing scholarship application packets, and more have taught desperate parents to help their own students win thousands of scholarship dollars. She teaches them how to apply S.M.A.R.T. with outstanding results.
Monica’s scholarship tips have been featured on many prominent websites, and she has been dubbed the “Go-To” expert on college scholarships.
any tips for twins
Hi Pepper, some universities give discounts for twins that attend the same school. Have you looked into that?
Can i still win a scholarship if i finished school long time ago? I mean if i am an adult?
Hi Munteanu, yes, you can! Look for scholarships that are open to all college students. Many have no age limit. You may also like this post: College Scholarships for Adult Students – Interview with a Winner