College is an expense most people don’t have the funds to cover, but this doesn’t mean they should give up on higher education. There are a variety of scholarships and grants that can be pursued. The great thing about scholarships is that they don’t have to be repaid. These can range from a couple hundred dollars to thousands of dollars. Scholarships can be obtained from employers, communities, people, schools, religious group, nonprofits and social organizations. You may be able to use the grant and scholarship money you accumulate to attend schools like UAB Online.
Types of Scholarships Available
The most widely known scholarships are those that are merit-based. What this means is that you have to meet specific standards in order to obtain the scholarship, such as maintaining a certain GPA. Academic achievements are the most common, aside from special talents, interests or traits. If you are good in basketball or football, you can obtain a talent-based scholarship. Another type of scholarship is awarded to students with financial hardships.
Scholarships can also be geared towards a specific group of people, such as women, minorities, high school seniors and so on. If you work with a particular company, you may be able to earn a scholarship that way as well.
In some cases, scholarships pay your entire tuition, while others only put up a few hundred dollars. Whatever the amount they provide, scholarships are a good option for gathering money to pay for your college education.
Where to Find Scholarships
There are a number of ways you can find scholarships. For one, you should try contacting the financial aid office at the college you’re trying to go to. You can also check online or at your local library. Make sure that the scholarship offers are legit. You don’t ever have to pay for information about a scholarship.
Some of the free resources you can use include your library’s reference section, federal agencies, high school guidance counselor, state grant agencies, ethnicity-based organizations, employers, local businesses and churches.
Applying for Scholarships
Once you have found scholarships you’re interested in, you need to check the requirements and deadlines. These are very strict and will disqualify you if you don’t adhere to them. The best time to begin applying for scholarships is during the summertime before you start your senior year. However, if that time has already passed, you need to start applying as soon as possible.
Check with the scholarship’s website to see what the requirements are for applicants. It will also tell you how to apply. Completely fill out the forms and perform whatever tasks are necessary before the deadline approaches.
Getting Funded
If you have been chosen to receive scholarship money, it my be distributed directly to the school you will attend or sent to you as a check. If sent to the school, it will be used to cover expenses for tuition, fees and on-campus living. Whatever’s left over will be sent to you. The scholarship provider should notify you about the distribution of the funds.