How to Use AI to Amplify Scholarship Opportunities

Using artificial intelligence (AI) for scholarships is a game changer. Many pain points that students and families previously faced with scholarships are now diminished – by a lot!

AI has the capability to create unique scholarship personal statements in seconds. It can help students brainstorm ideas about ways to tackle the application process. It can give valuable feedback and insights on grammar and essay structure. Of course, using AI can help with the scholarship search process, too. It can even help prepare students for scholarship interviews. 

However, there are also limitations with AI when it comes to scholarship applications. 

AI is an Amazing Tool, But Understanding it is Key

Below, we’ll cover what you need to know about using AI platforms to win scholarship opportunities. 

These insights come from dozens of hours of research and experience. I’ve gained valuable information by using various AI tools over and over again on scholarship-related tasks.

I’ve assessed AI-generated content for quality. I’ve tested plagiarism checkers that promise to identify AI-developed content. Beyond this, I’ve had dozens of conversations with students about how they currently use AI in their higher educational journeys. 

After investing a lot of time, I’ve seen the bad outcomes that AI can generate, as well as the amazing outcomes it can help produce. Below, I share key observations. 

The Huge Advantages AI Offers

The benefits of AI are immense. It’s no wonder why its use is spreading rapidly. When it comes to the scholarship process, here are a few ways artificial intelligence supports students. 

Use Artificial Intelligence to Brainstorm Ideas

A big challenge for writing scholarship essays is developing compelling ideas. Here, AI assists students to brainstorm ideas by providing multiple perspectives on a topic. In short order, it can deliver outside of the box ideas and push a student to develop their own creative and innovative ideas. Of course, it’s important to develop your own content. 

AI Helps Students with Grammar and Structure

Writing well is a crucial part of any application. After completing a scholarship application draft, it’s possible to ask AI to offer grammatical and structural feedback so that you can better communicate your point. This technology is like a more sophisticated version of grammar and spellcheck. AI is much better at understanding the full context of an essay and giving feedback on how to effectively deliver a message. 

AI Saves Time on Scholarship Applications

By offering the above services within seconds, AI is a huge time saver. The speed at which you can now do research, get feedback, and revise is astounding. With an AI-powered assistant to complement your current strategy, it’s likely possible to amplify your application output by a considerable amount. While there are never any guarantees, more applications means more chances to win. 

Consider the Whole Picture: Before Using Artificial Intelligence for Scholarship Application Essays, Read this Story…

Recently, I was asked by two students to give feedback on scholarship essays. The students do not know one another and they were applying for different awards. However, their scholarship providers were both labor unions and asked students to answer similar questions for their personal essays. 

The first essay I read was strong grammatically. Although, I thought it was too general, as if anyone could have written it. Typically, these are not the type of statements that impress a scholarship committee, so I gave the student feedback on how to improve the essay. 

A few days later, I received a different essay from the second student. Surprisingly, it used different words, but communicated an identical point to the essay I had just read. Immediately, I knew. This, and the previous essay, was AI generated.  

Here’s what I realized in that moment: AI is not the magic bullet many believe it to be. To use it in a complementary way requires critical thinking and clear understanding of what the tool can and cannot do.  

The Limitations of AI

Following from the story above, consider this: if dozens of students are applying for a scholarship and many of them ask an AI bot the exact same scholarship prompt, it’s likely that it will produce similar answers.

This is a danger zone! There are other limitations to consider as well. Here’s a list, along with some helpful advice on how to maximize the power of AI with your scholarship applications. 

Limitation 1: AI Doesn’t Know Your Details

AI doesn’t have access to your personal experiences, background, or the specific requirements of the scholarship. It can provide general suggestions and prompts, but it may not fully understand the specifics of your situation. 

Ultimately, relying solely on AI for your personal statement may result in a lack of originality and authenticity. It’s important to infuse your own unique voice, experiences, and personality into your writing. Use AI as a tool to enhance your writing, but don’t let it overshadow your own ideas and perspectives.

Limitation 2: Potential Inaccuracies in AI-Generated Content

AI generates responses based on patterns and examples from the data it was trained on. This data is from the past. While it strives to provide accurate information, it can sometimes generate incorrect or misleading suggestions. This is why it’s important to always fact-check and verify any information or advice provided by AI.

Limitation 3: AI May Not Know Preferences of Scholarship Committees

Scholarship committees are subjective. They evaluate personal statements based on their own criteria and preferences. While AI can offer suggestions and help you refine your writing, it cannot guarantee that your personal statement will align perfectly with a committee’s expectations or preferences.

Limitation 4: Inability to Verify Originality for Scholarship Essays

While AI can assist with generating ideas, it cannot verify the originality or uniqueness of your personal statement. I’m sure you know this, but it bears repeating, plagiarism is a serious offense and can have detrimental consequences on your scholarship application. Any hint of plagiarism will likely get your application disqualified immediately. It’s your responsibility to ensure that your writing is authentic.

Limitation 5: Variable Response Quality in Essay Writing

AI’s responses can vary in quality and coherence. While it generally strives to provide helpful information, at times, AI-powered responses can be unclear, irrelevant, or contain errors. It’s important to carefully review and assess the suggestions provided by AI and use your personal judgement.

Limitation 6: Artificial Intelligence Bias and Knowledge of Current Trends

As mentioned, AI trains itself from data created in the past. So, it may not have access to the latest trends or changes in the application process that have emerged since its training. This is where a scholarship advisor can be a huge benefit because we stay up to date with the most current information and relay that to you.

Also, AI learns from a vast amount of data, which can include biases present in the text it was trained on. As a result, its suggestions may unintentionally reflect those biases. Be mindful of this and critically evaluate the suggestions to ensure they align with your own values and perspectives

Limitation 7: Privacy Concerns – Show Caution When Using AI

Conversations with AI may involve sharing personal information or details about your scholarship application. It’s important to exercise caution and not share any sensitive or personally identifiable information that could compromise your privacy. Generally speaking, the risks with information shared in a scholarship statement is low, but the point is still worth noting. 

Limitation 8: AI Lacks Emotional Understanding

AI does not possess personal judgment or emotional understanding. It cannot assess the emotional impact or resonance of your writing, which is crucial for conveying your experiences and future aspirations effectively. In fact, creating a positive emotional connection with your reader is something you’ll want to accomplish. So, again, use personal judgement.

Final Note: Consider Rapid Change in Technology and Regulations When You Use AI for Scholarship Applications

Whether you should or shouldn’t use AI to apply for scholarships is a personal choice. However, if you do decide to use it, it’s wise to stay up to date on how the technology works and the regulations it faces in the world of scholarships. 

Ultimately, artificial intelligence has the potential to help you amplify the amount of scholarship applications you submit. It can also help elevate the quality of your applications. But, the technology is so new that we’re in unchartered waters with rules and regulations.

Stay up to date and use the tool as a complement, not a replacement, to your own thinking and approach to scholarships. 

Christopher Grafos, Ph.D., is the founder and chief scholarship mentor at BridgesEDU Scholarships.

He’s a first-generation university graduate whose life was transformed by education and winning scholarships. 

Scholarships help students financially, but they also help advance a student’s career. It’s his life’s work to champion this message and share the secrets to finding and winning scholarships. 

Read more about Christopher’s journey here. 

The post How to Use AI to Amplify Scholarship Opportunities first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/how-to-use-ai-to-amplify-scholarship-opportunities/

The Ultimate Guide to Winning Multiple Scholarships

When you think of attending college, the ever-present worry of how to fund it comes to mind. For many, scholarships are the answer. And the reality? You don’t have to limit yourself to just one. Applying for many scholarships can be your ticket to minimize student loans and make the most of available financial aid.

Below, we’ll cover a few major points that many students and parents encounter when applying for scholarships. In particular we’ll answer:

• How many scholarships can a student win?
• Should you apply for multiple scholarships?

How Many Scholarships Can You Get?

College scholarships are a numbers game. The more you apply for, the more chances you have to win. However, if you’re successful at winning money, can you hold many scholarships at once?

The answer is both yes and no.

Winning Scholarships: Check Terms and the Fine Print

Terms and conditions of various prizes differ. For reasons we’ll cover below, some scholarship opportunities stipulate that you can’t hold simultaneous awards. However, other scholarship providers have no such terms attached to their prize. In these cases, you can collect as many scholarships as possible. 

The Amount of Scholarship Money May Tell You Something

On average, awards that range from $500 to $10,000 allow you to win multiple scholarships. This is general observation so, as noted above, double-check terms and conditions of any scholarship you apply for. 

When You CAN’T Hold Multiple Scholarships

On certain occasions, scholarship awards may stipulate that you can only hold one prize. These scholarships tend to have large sums of money attached to them ($10,000 and up/annually), which makes them attractive options.

When terms dictate that you can’t hold another major prize, it’s usually for one of two reasons.

The first is equity. There are many undergraduate and graduate students out there, and having only a few students win multiple prizes seems to counter the spirit of scholarships.

The second reason is branding. When scholarship providers reward a student with a large monetary sum, it may come with an expectation to appear on a website or promotional materials. In this way, the student is like an ambassador of the scholarship provider’s brand, which an organization may not want to share. These options tend to be very competitive, so your chances of getting this kind of prize is quite small. 

Remember to Check Your Financial Aid Details

The other important thing to consider if you win multiple scholarships is your status for financial aid packages. Sometimes, scholarship wins will change the income details and expected family contribution you may have used when filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) or other student loan documents. Since federal student aid considers income, you should always check whether a scholarship win changes your student loan status. This is also important for students who have qualified for a Pell Grant, state loans, or private student loans.

Why Every Student Should Apply for Many Scholarships

Scholarships not only help reduce the weight of student loans but also enhance a student’s profile for future endeavors. The money is important, but the prestige of winning is another big benefit. 

Just think about what it would mean on future applications if you could say that you’re one of the small number of college students who won multiple scholarships. That’s a powerful statement about you and your abilities. 

Boosting Your Chances: Apply, Apply, Apply!

Scholarships: it’s a numbers game. The more applications you send, the higher the likelihood of securing that coveted scholarship award. By applying for many, you not only increase your chances of getting scholarship money but also gain invaluable experience.

Dive into the Search to Find as Many Scholarships as Possible

Whether you’re in high school or college, a comprehensive scholarship search is vital. Don’t settle after finding one or two; instead, seek out as many as you fit the criteria for. Without question, your research skills can be a game changer. 

If you’re able to find unique scholarships without a ton of competition, you’ve already put yourself in a good position. 

The Many Flavors of Scholarships Available to Students

Different types of scholarships exist—and some of them might be better suited to your profile than others.

You can receive scholarships for a variety of reasons. For example, merit scholarships are based on extraordinary achievement, meaning that you have to have great grades, test scores, or extracurricular activities to win. Other scholarships are based on need, meaning they’ll only go to those who whose family income is below a certain level. Often, these awards will ask students to file a FAFSA and qualify for federal student aid to be eligible. Here’s an overview of the types of scholarships available:

• Merit Scholarships: Awards based on academic or other achievements.
• Needs-based Scholarships: Often determined by family income and may require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
• Student-specific Scholarships: Tailored based on ethnicity, gender, interests, etc.
• Scholarships by Major or Career Choice: For a student’s chosen field of study.
• Institution-specific Scholarships: Given to students attending a specific school.
• Athletic Scholarships: For student athletes.

Remember, each type of scholarship serves a unique purpose and can supplement your educational journey in different ways.

Scholarships and Grants – Know the Difference and Reap the Benefits

While scholarships are awarded based on a variety of criteria, grants are typically need-based. Both scholarships and grants are a great way for high school students and college-goers to finance their education. They can significantly reduce the amount of money you might have to borrow.

Similar to scholarships, the amount of grants that a student can hold is determined by individual terms and conditions. 

In Conclusion: Find Scholarships and Lighten Your Financial Burden

Every scholarship, big or small, pushes you a step closer to your dream of affordable higher education. For those keen to minimize debts and pay for college without breaking the bank, remember: find scholarships, apply, and repeat. The world of scholarships is vast, and with a diligent approach, it’s a game many can win. Yes, you can hold multiple scholarships at once. Just be sure to do your own research. 

Christopher Grafos, Ph.D., is the founder and chief scholarship mentor at BridgesEDU Scholarships.

He’s a first-generation university graduate whose life was transformed by education and winning scholarships. 

Scholarships help students financially, but they also help advance a student’s career. It’s his life’s work to champion this message and share the secrets to finding and winning scholarships. 

Read more about Christopher’s journey here. 

The post The Ultimate Guide to Winning Multiple Scholarships first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-winning-multiple-scholarships/

How to Win Scholarships by Major: For Parents and Students

Choosing a college major can unlock specific scholarships tailored to your field of study. From engineering to English, scholarships by major are accessible and often face less competition. As a scholarship expert, I’m here to guide both parents and students through this process, opening doors to opportunities that align with academic passions and career goals. 

The Importance of Major-Specific Scholarships

Scholarships by major are often overlooked, but they’re an excellent way to finance your education. Unlike generic scholarships, these focus on your chosen field of study. Since there are many majors in existence, these awards often face less competition.

Additionally, because of the focus on field of study, scholarships by major don’t always require perfect grades. This makes them a realistic option for many students without a 4.0 GPA. The knowledge below will help give you a further edge.

Where to Find Scholarships for College Based on Major

Here are a few key places that offer scholarships based on major. 

Check Your Department for List of Scholarships by Major

Start by visiting your department to find scholarships offered specifically for your major. Departments offer these awards for a variety of reasons. Commonly, alumni will donate money for students specifically associated with a department. Depending on the size of your school and program, these prizes may not be advertised widely. This is good news for you because you’ll face less competition.

Financial Aid Office or College Registrar

Often, these offices will have a list of all available scholarships for students with your major. 

You may also want to find out if your school has a scholarship database that can help you learn about the scholarships it offers. There tends to be many scholarships by major in these resources alongside other types of scholarships (financial need scholarships, scholarships on social issues, merit-based scholarships, etc.).  

Private Scholarships

As you’re looking for scholarships by major, it’s important to know that there are private scholarships out there that your school may not advertise or even know about. Lots of prizes are given out by organizations or individuals.

A great way to connect with private scholarships is to use a scholarship portal, like the BridgesEDU Scholarship Finder.

You can also find private scholarships based on your major by doing an exhaustive Google search. When you do a deep search on Google, you can find many scholarships that are not advertised well. These prizes are just sitting out there waiting for you to find them.

Going Beyond the Search for Scholarships

It’s vital to know that finding scholarships by major is different from winning them. Below, we’ll cover how to position yourself for success with applications. 

Crafting a Strong Application

There are several ways to increase the quality of an application for a scholarship by major. Here are some items you can include in your application to separate yourself from the pack. 

Highlight Your Career Goals in Major Field of Study

When reading applications, a scholarship committee loves to see long-term dedication to your field of study. After all, the point of these scholarships is to encourage students to pursue a career in a specific area of focus.

Strong applications highlight a student’s desire for impact. For example, if you’re in an engineering program, state how you plan to help people in the future, innovate within your industry, or simply note what positive goals you plan to work toward. 

Ultimately, when you write about your career, you should include your vision for the future. 

Speak About Service and Community Building

Scholarships by major are often designed to build community. They’re awarded to students who share a certain passion for a given field of study.

This is where community service, leadership activities, and independent study projects can pay big dividends. These extracurricular activities show your commitment to your major. For example, if you’re applying for an art scholarship, talk about how your community service has helped build relationships with other artists and helped advance the field as a whole. 

This kind of community service is also a way to earn amazing reference letters for those scholarships that ask for them. 

But don’t worry, if you haven’t participated in these types of activities, you can always change the focus to how you plan to do so in the future. 

When to Highlight Your GPA

If your GPA is strong, highlight it! Strong grades communicate dedication. In this case, your grades help your application. 

However, if this isn’t the case for you, change the plan of your personal statement. You can focus on relevant courses where you performed well. Or, as mentioned above, you can focus on your future goals (and note how the scholarship will help you reach them). This is a different way of showing your passion for your field of study. And, it works!

Summary: Finding and Winning College Scholarships by Major

Winning scholarships is a fantastic way to pay for education. However, many college students miss out because they don’t know where to look or how to win them. By focusing on scholarships by major, you might find the perfect opportunities to offset soaring education costs.

Here’s a brief summary of what you need to know:

• Benefits of Major-Specific Scholarships: These scholarships are accessible, often face less competition, and don’t always require perfect grades.
• Finding Scholarships Based on Major:
  • Departmental Scholarships: Check with your department for unique opportunities.
  • Financial Aid Office or College Registrar: Consult these offices for a list of scholarships for your major.
  • Private Scholarships: Utilize tools like the BridgesEDU Scholarship Finder, and do a deep Google search to find non-advertised opportunities.
• Crafting a Winning Application:
  • Highlight Career Goals: Show your long-term dedication to your field.
  • Emphasize Service and Community Building: Showcase community service and leadership within your field of study.
  • Use GPA Strategically: Highlight strong grades, or focus on future goals and relevant coursework if grades are not a strength.
• Key Takeaway: Majoring in what you love opens doors to specific scholarships, making the scholarship search more personalized and potentially successful.

The post How to Win Scholarships by Major: For Parents and Students first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/how-to-win-scholarships-by-major-for-parents-and-students/

How to Write Amazing Scholarship Recommendation Letters

As an experienced member of scholarship selection committees, graduate school admissions, and a long-time academic, I understand the importance of writing a powerful scholarship recommendation letter for students.

A well-crafted recommendation can tip the scales in favor of a student, especially in a pool of strong contenders. So, let’s navigate this significant responsibility together.

Why Your Scholarship Recommendation Matters

While judging scholarship essays and graduate school applications in the past, I can honestly say that recommendation letters meant a lot. It was easy to see when a referee believed in a student and when they did not. Of course, this influenced the way I perceived the application and the strength of an applicant.

Reviewing dozens of these letters also revealed something important; strong scholarship recommendation letters aren’t just a report of what a student has accomplished. A compelling letter finds the perfect blend of emphasizing past performance and future potential.

The Key Elements of a Scholarship Recommendation Letter

Any effective scholarship recommendation letter should address specific themes. In the following sections, I’ll discuss key components that should be present in every recommendation.

Reflect on Your Ability to Provide a Positive Recommendation

Before agreeing to write a letter, consider whether you can genuinely endorse the student. Over the years, I’ve received countless requests for recommendations. While many were easy to accommodate, others were more challenging due to the student’s performance in my class. It’s important to be honest about what you can contribute. Remember, a mediocre recommendation could harm a student’s chances of winning a scholarship.

Understand the Scholarship Committee’s Expectations

Your letter should reflect the scholarship committee’s expectations. Research the scholarship type, the reward amount, the application deadline, and the application process. If the scholarship emphasizes community service, ensure your letter includes the student’s volunteer work. A clear understanding of the scholarship requirements allows you to tailor your letter and offer pertinent information.

Establish Your Authority and Relationship with the Student

Your relationship with the student is crucial to your credibility as an assessor. Detail how you interacted with the student, highlight their performance, and discuss their attitude toward schoolwork or projects. Also, provide information about test scores and assignments. A detailed account of your association with the student enhances the weight of your recommendation.

Compare the Student to Others You’ve Known

To impress the scholarship committee, compare the student with others you have taught or mentored. Emphasize the student’s uniqueness and exceptional achievements, drawing from your vast experience working with many students.

Make Your Letter Personal: The Importance of Examples

Specific examples make your letter more personal and impactful. It could be an outstanding essay they wrote, a project they worked on, or a class discussion they excelled in. Additionally, highlighting leadership or communication skills can greatly strengthen a recommendation.

Highlight the Student’s Potential

Scholarship recommendation letters should not just be laundry lists of achievements. Strong letters definitely do this, but they also go a step further to illuminate a student’s potential. By discussing their willingness to learn and grow, you show the committee that they’re investing in a promising student who will make a positive impact on their program or community.

The Power of Authenticity and Sincerity

Finally, a sincere and authentic voice is key to make your letter stand out. Rather than simply repeating information from a student’s résumé, let your enthusiasm for the student’s talents shine through. Use powerful phrases like “I wholeheartedly support this student’s application” or “I believe unequivocally in [student’s name]’s scholarship application.”

Crafting a sincere and persuasive scholarship recommendation letter is a big responsibility that can make a monumental difference for a student. So, embrace this opportunity and help your student soar toward their ambitions.

Sample Scholarship Recommendation Letter

Below is a sample scholarship recommendation letter that tries to include the major themes outlined above. This letter of recommendation template aims to highlight a student’s academic capabilities for a college scholarship centered on academic performance.

Dear BridgesEDU Academic Scholarship Selection Committee,

I am pleased to provide this scholarship letter of recommendation for Emily. I sincerely believe that she would be an excellent ambassador of the BridgesEDU Academic Scholarship program and would adeptly espouse its values.

Emily was a student of mine in History 402: American History, and received a 92% (an A+ letter grade). The course, which operated in a seminar format, ran from September 2021 to April 2022. As the Course Director, I can comment on Emily’s academic abilities including her critical thinking, writing, and oral communication skills.

In small group settings that were designed to reflect upon and summarize academic articles and book chapters, Emily excelled. She was often a confident and valuable contributor to her peer discussions. She was also consistent in providing insightful critical analysis. Emily’s level of thought was easily one of the most advanced amongst her peers. Without reservation I can say that Emily’s contribution elevated the quality of our class discussions.

One of Emily’s most valuable qualities is her ability to think critically in both classroom discussions and writing. Emily’s final paper in my class was outstanding. Out of the thousands of undergraduate essays I have read, I would easily place her work in the top ten. In the paper, Emily examined archival material from the university library. She argued that music was the most important education mechanism in early 1900s rural America. The argument was unique and full of promise. In fact, I could easily see Emily thriving in a doctoral program with an emphasis on this very topic. I believe her academic skills merit this praise.

Given that your scholarship rewards academic achievement and future potential, I wholeheartedly offer Emily my highest recommendation for the BridgesEDU award. Without hesitation, I can say that she deserves the scholarship.

If you require any further commentary, please feel free to contact me during regular business hours. I have included my contact information below.

Sincerely,

 

John Doe, Ph.D.

Professor, University of Examples

123 Any Street, Boston, MA, 01234

John.Doe@email.com

Use our AI Writer for Infinite Scholarship Recommendation Letter Examples

While you can use templates like the one above, AI has completely changed the game for writing a recommendation letter for a scholarship. The free BridgesEDU Scholarships AI Essay Writer can craft a sample recommendation letter in seconds. 

The best part is that you can brainstorm ideas with your specific student in mind. For example, you can ask the BridgesEDU Scholarships AI Essay Writer to write a letter of recommendation that highlights leadership skills, work ethic, financial need, or any other personal qualities that make your student a deserving candidate. 

Our AI platform can help you craft a strong scholarship recommendation letter in multiple ways. It can help you with:

1. Brainstorming Ideas: AI can help you generate ideas for key points you might want to include in your letter based on your knowledge about the student.
2. Writing Structure: Our AI platform can provide tips and best practices on how to structure a compelling recommendation letter.
3. Content Suggestions: Based on your input, our AI can suggest specific content and language to use so that you highlight the student’s skills, accomplishments, and potential.
4. Editing and Revision: After you’ve written a draft, the BridgesEDU Scholarships AI Essay Writer can provide suggestions for improving its clarity, tone, and grammar.
5. Templates: If you’re unsure how to start, our AI platform can provide you with countless templates for a scholarship recommendation letter.

So, if you’re asked to write a scholarship recommendation letter and you’re not sure where to start, ask the BridgesEDU Scholarships AI Essay Writer for some ideas or examples. 

Summary: The Key Steps to Writing a Scholarship Letter of Recommendation

• Ensure you have valuable and positive comments to share about the student before agreeing to write a scholarship reference letter.
• Understand the scholarship committee’s needs by doing preliminary research of the scholarship.
• Showcase your qualifications and highlight why you are an appropriate person to vouch for the student’s abilities.
• Compare the student with their peers and mention how the student’s performance stands out in comparison to others.
• Provide specific examples from your firsthand experiences with the student to substantiate your statements.
• Highlight the student’s potential for future success.
• If you’re uncertain about where to begin or want some support, use the BridgesEDU Scholarships AI Essay Writer or a scholarship recommendation letter template to structure your thoughts.

The post How to Write Amazing Scholarship Recommendation Letters first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/how-to-write-amazing-scholarship-recommendation-letters/

How to Request Scholarship Letters of Recommendation

As an expert in winning scholarships, I’m here to guide you through the somewhat daunting process of securing a winning scholarship reference letter. A great scholarship letter of recommendation could be the key to turning the tide in your favor and helping you pay for college. 

So, this part of your application should be approached carefully and with a great deal of thoughtfulness. Let’s cover what you need to know about scholarship recommendation letters.

Understanding the Importance of Scholarship Recommendation Letters

Before diving into the “how,” it’s crucial to understand the “why.” Scholarship recommendation letters are critical components of your application. They are often weighed heavily by selection committees, especially for competitive scholarship opportunities. Referees (people who write reference letters for you) are supposed to be your advocates, testifying to your achievements and potential. So, don’t just ask anyone; choose wisely.

Landing a Supportive Scholarship Reference Letter: The Essentials

Now that you understand why these letters are important, let’s get to the how. Here’s your road map to ensuring your referee crafts a letter that distinguishes you from other scholarship applicants. 

Secure a Supportive Letter of Recommendation: Reading Between the Lines

A winning letter comes from a referee who knows you well, understands your strengths, and can vouch for you with solid examples. When you approach your referee, ask specifically if they can write a “supportive letter of recommendation”. Watch for enthusiasm in their response, as hesitance may negatively reflect in the letter.

Keep in mind, you may be competing against hundreds or thousands of other high school students or undergraduates in a scholarship competition. All components of your application, including letters of recommendation, will be compared to others. For this reason, your referee should ooze support for you. That enthusiasm will likely translate well and help you stand out. 

Choosing the Right Referee to Write a Recommendation

When deciding who to ask for a recommendation, consider someone who can shed light on your strengths and provide valuable insights about your abilities. Moreover, consider their title and its relevance to the type of scholarship. A coach makes sense for an athletic scholarship, a supervisor or instructor may work for an award centered on extracurricular activities, and of course, a teacher or a professor with a Ph.D. likely makes most sense for an academic award.

Expert Tip: Who Should You Ask to Write a Scholarship Recommendation Letter? 

Often, the best person to ask for a letter is someone who has seen you work hard at something and watched you grow over time. This will allow your referee to credibly comment about why you’re likely to achieve your goals in the future. 

Best Practices When Requesting a Scholarship Recommendation Letter

Approaching someone for a recommendation letter requires professionalism and consideration. Here are some key tips to follow.

Maintain Professionalism in Communication

When reaching out to a potential referee, make sure to be professional. Use a friendly and respectful tone, clearly stating your need for a recommendation letter in the subject line. Always proofread your communications, ensuring they’re free of grammatical errors.

Plan Ahead and Be Considerate: Scholarship Letters Take Time

Keep your referee’s schedule in mind. Avoid last-minute requests and give them plenty of time to prepare. A window of three to six weeks is ideal. It’s also acceptable to send periodic reminders, just to ensure your request stays on their radar.

Remember, you’re asking for this person to support you. Approaching them when a deadline is a day or two away doesn’t put them, or you, in a position to succeed. 

Providing Helpful Information to Your Referee

Support your referee by sharing as much information as possible, including your application documents and specifics about the scholarship.

Share Your Scholarship Application Documents

Whether your application is ready or still in progress, share as much as you can with your referee. This includes your personal statement, résumé, transcripts, test scores, and any additional pertinent details.

Consider that your referee may not know everything about you or your application. These materials can help them amplify the message you’re sharing in your application. 

Share Detailed Scholarship Information

Provide your referee with comprehensive scholarship information, such as the scholarship name, the amount being offered, the due date, submission details, eligibility requirements, and the kind of student the scholarship aims to support. This enables them to tailor their letter to fit the scholarship program. Additionally, it may help your recommender provide specific examples of their experience with you. This creates a more personalized endorsement, which is great for your application. 

Don’t Feel Guilty About Requesting Scholarship Letters

Yes, requesting letters of recommendation can be stressful, and you might feel like you’re burdening someone. But remember, everyone has been there. The people you’re asking likely had to ask for similar support in their career. They understand and are likely happy to help!

Summary: How the Best Scholarship Applications Request Letters of Recommendation

Successfully securing a supportive recommendation letter involves a few key steps:

• Ask your referee for a “supportive letter” and pay attention to their enthusiasm.
• Choose a referee who knows you well and can provide real examples of your achievements.
• Always be professional and give your referee plenty of notice.
• Share any relevant application documents and details about the scholarship.
• Lastly, don’t feel guilty about asking for a recommendation.

Armed with these tips, you’re now ready to secure a winning scholarship reference letter. Happy scholarship hunting!

Christopher Grafos, Ph.D., is the founder and chief scholarship mentor at BridgesEDU Scholarships.

He’s a first-generation university graduate whose life was transformed by education and winning scholarships. 

Scholarships help students financially, but they also help advance a student’s career. It’s his life’s work to champion this message and share the secrets to finding and winning scholarships. 

Read more about Christopher’s journey here. 

The post How to Request Scholarship Letters of Recommendation first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/how-to-request-scholarship-letters-of-recommendation/

How to Win Scholarships for High School Students: A Guide

For most students and families, scholarships and grants are a new world to navigate. Indeed, finding scholarships and completing applications can seem daunting and time consuming. However, the sooner one starts, the better the chances are of winning. 

Given that early starts help, applying for scholarships while in high school makes sense. In fact, there are many college scholarships for high school seniors specifically. This gives you a small window to apply for these prizes because you’re no longer eligible after graduating high school. 

To help you take advantage of scholarships for high school students, we’ll cover the following below:

1. What you need to know to position yourself to win scholarships for high school students;
2. How to create a list of scholarship opportunities that you’re competitive for; and
3. How to use AI to help your chances of landing a college scholarship. 

Important Tips for Landing Scholarships for High School Students

Before offering tips to help you find and win scholarships you should know that finding scholarship awards and creating winning applications require different skills. We’ll elaborate on this in the points below. 

Start Early in Finding and Applying for Scholarships

It’s never too late to start your scholarship search. Whatever level you’re at in your academic life, there are scholarships available for you. 

Ideally, it’s best to research scholarship programs as a high school junior. You should know that there are high school scholarships available for juniors, but they are much less numerous than those available for seniors. 

As well, getting started as a junior allows you to proactively understand what various scholarships expect and look for. You’re likely to have a little more time to thoroughly investigate awards as a junior because senior year comes with the added pressure of college admissions. 

Understand Eligibility Criteria and Types of Scholarships for High School Students

Many scholarships have specific eligibility requirements and quite a few of them are designed exclusively for high school students. Learning about these criteria can significantly enhance your chances of receiving these awards. It can also save you a lot of time and frustration because you’ll know what to look for. 

Think of it this way: scholarships are like keys, and each one opens a unique door. By understanding what each key needs – be it your academic standing, a particular talent, or even a community service you’ve participated in – you’ll be better equipped to unlock these opportunities. Many of these doors can only be opened while you’re in high school, so it’s crucial to seize these chances now.

As a graduating high school senior, you should look for awards that specifically state that they are open to high school seniors. However, beyond this eligibility requirement, there are other types of scholarships that you can find based on what best suits your unique student profile. Here are some examples: 

Merit Scholarships: Based on Grades and Test Scores

Your grades are an asset, especially in competitions for top scholarships. Merit-based scholarships reward students for excellent GPAs and/or high test scores. Academic achievement is the name of the game here, so if your grades are stellar, you might qualify for a merit scholarship.

Scholarships Based on Extracurricular Activities

Your extracurricular activities can qualify you for many diverse scholarship prizes. Whether you’ve started your school’s first environmental sustainability club, play on the chess team, or bird watch, there may be a college scholarship out there for you. No extracurricular is too obscure.

Student-Specific Characteristics: A Diverse Set of Scholarships for High School Seniors

Aspects of your identity can also qualify your for a scholarship. There are countless prizes out there that reward students who come from different backgrounds or various communities.

For example, there are scholarships for Hispanic students, African-American students, scholarships for women, minority scholarships, scholarships for veterans, local scholarships from towns and counties, scholarships for international students, scholarships based on ethnicity, and even scholarships for various medical conditions.

This list is endless, so ask yourself what makes you unique?

Financial Need Scholarships: For High Schoolers Who Need Help Paying for College

Financial need makes you eligible for various scholarships. If your household income falls under a certain level and you have qualified for student aid (you may have to fill out the FAFSA), you’re likely eligible for a variety of needs-based scholarships.

Many of these prizes are available to graduating high school students in order to help bring down the cost of college. These prizes help students with tuition, books, and other education expenses associated with higher education.

Know Where to Find Scholarships

There are a number of resources to help students find money to pay for college. 

Online scholarship databases are a popular option. The BridgesEDU Scholarship Finder does things differently than others. Put simply, we empower you with an incredible tool that allows you to get very specific in your search for scholarships. You can search thousands of prizes down to one word – for example: marketing, Italian, veteran, women, engineering, the town or county you reside in, etc. The possibilities are endless. 

Beyond this, you can also use your guidance counselor or local library to find scholarship awards open to high school students in your area. If you’ve completed college applications and you’re registered at a college or university for the upcoming academic year, also check with your institution’s financial aid office about possible prizes for incoming college students. 

Some schools offer scholarships that you can only apply for before you start as a freshman. 

The Best Way to Create a List of Scholarships for High School Seniors

The best way for you to create a list of college scholarships is to use the best free scholarship finder around. That’s ours! Here’s why. As you can see in the video below, you’re empowered to find local and niche scholarships that are likely to attract few applicants. 

If you Google “Scholarships for High School Seniors” and consult the lists that come up in the search, you can bet those competitions will be tough. Think about it. If thousands of students just like you can easily access these awards, it will translate to more competition. 

Check out how our scholarship finder provides you with more valuable scholarship matches based on keywords you use: 

Creating Winning Scholarship Applications Requires Strategy

There are many high school and college students applying for scholarships across North America. In many cases, international students may be eligible for scholarships you’re interested in applying for, too. 

This means that competition is fierce. However, that shouldn’t intimidate you. You just need a strategy to ensure that your scholarship essay communicates the right message to a scholarship committee. 

Ensure that you take time to research how scholarship applications are judged and what exactly helps an applicant stand out. 

Submitting an application that you’ve given appropriate attention to is way more likely to help you win a scholarship. Your chances of winning are amplified even more when you apply consistent proven strategies. 

Use AI to Help You Win College Scholarships 

AI tools are helping transform the way students apply for scholarships. You can check out our free BridgesEDU Scholarships AI Essay Writer, which is an incredible tool to help students and families with scholarship applications. 

Our AI platform provides personalized guidance on essays and grammar. Beyond this, it helps build the quality of your scholarship personal essays and saves you time while doing it. Among other things, our AI tool provides feedback on essay structure, grammar, and content.

Without question, leveraging AI technology can be a game changer in your approach to secure funding for higher education. 

Get Started on Winning College Scholarships for High School Students

It’s time to unlock countless scholarship opportunities for high schoolers like you! Get a head start on your competition by diving deep into the world of scholarship contests. Discover a wealth of options waiting for you and learn how to ace the application process. So, gear up, start your journey, and seize the chance to win exciting scholarships now!

The post How to Win Scholarships for High School Students: A Guide first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/how-to-win-scholarships-for-high-school-students-a-guide/

Scholarships for International Students: Your Ultimate Guide

Academic programs are intellectually enriched by international students. However, the path to study abroad is often obstructed by financial constraints. Scholarships for international students offer a promising solution to this problem.

Whether you’re dreaming of attending university in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, or Australia, there are numerous scholarship opportunities available. In this blog post, we will unravel the potential scholarships for international students, providing a comprehensive guide for your education while helping you overcome common scholarship challenges.

Scholarships for International Students: Important Points

Colleges, universities, and private donors worldwide offer scholarships for international students. These scholarships cover partial to full-tuition aid based on a variety of eligibility requirements, including merit, financial need, or specific field of study.

Fostering Global Understanding

Beyond financial aid, scholarships also contribute to enhancing cross-cultural understanding and establishing international networks. Additionally, more access to education opportunity for international students increases diversity on campuses. This is good for both students and the institutions they attend.

Scholarships for International Students Alleviate Financial Burden

International students often face tuition fees that are much more substantial than domestic students. On top of this, international students often endure significant living costs because of less community or familial support. Scholarships help to offset these expenses, making studying abroad more accessible to a broader range of students.

Types of Scholarships for International Students

International students can find scholarships of various types, including need-based, merit-based, subject-specific, country-based, and scholarships specifically designed for international students.

Need-Based Scholarships

These are awarded to students with financial need. They may require documentation of family income to validate the student’s financial situation.

Merit-Based Scholarships

Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on the student’s academic or extracurricular achievements. They often require students to maintain a certain GPA or continue involvement in a particular activity.

Subject-Specific Scholarships

These scholarships are available for students pursuing studies in specific fields. The criteria may include the student’s academic records and their commitment to the subject area.

Country-Based Scholarships

Country-based scholarships are designed for students from specific countries. They aim to promote cultural exchange and foster relationships between countries.

Undergraduate Scholarships

Undergraduate scholarships are targeted towards students looking to earn their first degree. These may be based on merit, demonstrated financial need, or specific fields of study.

Fellowships

Fellowships are a type of financial aid. They often support graduate students or those pursuing full-time postdoctoral research.

Scholarships for Online Programs

For international students who can’t travel or prefer to study from their home country, online programs offer a flexible learning pathway. Some scholarships also cater specifically to online students, further facilitating this mode of learning.

Notable Scholarships for International Students to Study in North America

Below are some notable scholarships that international students can explore:

Fulbright Scholarship

This prestigious program is designed for graduate students to study and conduct research in the United States.

Hubert Humphrey Fellowship Program

This non-degree scholarship program provides ten months of non-degree academic study and related professional experiences in the United States for experienced professionals from designated countries throughout the world.

The Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Program (JJ/WBGSP)

The JJ/WBGSP offers scholarships to students from World Bank member countries to pursue graduate studies at universities around the world, including North America.

Rotary Peace Fellowships

Each year, Rotary selects individuals from around the world to receive fully funded academic fellowships at one of its peace centers located around the globe, including Duke University and University of North Carolina in the USA.

AAUW International Fellowships

AAUW (formerly known as the American Association of University Women) awards International Fellowships for full-time study or research in the United States to women who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

Aga Khan Foundation International Scholarship Programme

This program provides scholarships to students from select developing countries who have no other source of financial help for their graduate studies. The scholarships are awarded on a 50% grant and 50% loan basis through a competitive application process once a year.

MasterCard Foundation Scholarships

The MasterCard Foundation Scholars Program is a $500 million initiative to inspire young people, particularly from Africa, to lead change. Scholarships are available for study at both undergraduate and graduate levels at partner universities.

The International Leader of Tomorrow (ILOT) Award

Offered by the University of British Columbia in Canada, the ILOT awards are scholarships for international students who demonstrate superior academic achievement, leadership skills, involvement in student affairs and community service, and recognized achievement in other key areas.

Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships

These scholarships are offered by the University of Toronto to outstanding international students from around the world, including international students studying in Canada.

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships are open to international students who want to pursue doctoral studies at Canadian universities.

Tips for Applying for Scholarships

Here are a few tips that can help you in your scholarship application journey:

Start Early!

Scholarship applications often involve an extensive process, including gathering documents and writing essays. Starting early can give you ample time to prepare a strong application.

Understand the Eligibility Requirements

Every scholarship has its eligibility criteria and application requirements. Thoroughly understanding these can increase your chances of success.

Highlight Your Strengths

Whether it’s academic achievements, leadership skills, or community service, highlighting your strengths in your application can make you stand out.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Many international students have questions about scholarships. Here are some of the most common questions answered:

1. What are the eligibility criteria for international scholarships?

The eligibility criteria for scholarships vary widely depending on the organization offering the scholarship, the field of study, and the level of study (undergraduate, postgraduate, doctoral, postdoctoral).

Common criteria can include academic performance, country of residence or citizenship, intended course of study, and demonstrated financial need. Always check the specific scholarship for its precise requirements.

2. How can I find scholarships for which I am eligible?

There are many resources available for international students to find scholarships. Universities often list available scholarships on their website. Online databases, such as the BridgesEDU Scholarships Finder, can also provide extensive listings. Other resources can include non-profit organizations, your home country’s Ministry or Department of Education, or local American/Canadian or international organizations or businesses.

3. Do I need to know English to receive a scholarship?

This depends on the specific scholarship and the institution or program of study. Many programs in English-speaking countries do require proof of English proficiency, usually demonstrated through standardized tests like TOEFL or IELTS. However, there are also scholarships aimed at students who will be studying English as a second language, or who will be studying in their native language.

4. When should I start applying for scholarships?

You should begin searching for scholarships as soon as possible. Many scholarships have deadlines that are well in advance of the start of the school year, and it can take time to gather the necessary application materials. There are scholarships with deadlines throughout the academic year and summer months so jump right in!

5. Can I receive more than one scholarship?

Yes, you can typically receive more than one scholarship, unless the specific scholarship states otherwise. It’s important to note that some scholarships may adjust the amount they offer if you receive multiple awards, to ensure as many students as possible receive funding. Always check the conditions of each scholarship for which you apply.

6. Are Scholarships the Only Form of Financial Aid?

While scholarships are the most sought-after form of aid, international students can also seek other types of financial aid, like grants, fellowships, and loan programs, which can be equally beneficial in funding education. Keep in mind, loans must be paid back while these other forms of financial aid do not.

Scholarship Resources

There are two important components of winning scholarships:

1. Finding scholarships
2. Applying for scholarships

Step 1: Finding Scholarships to Study in the USA and Canada

Finding scholarships can be time consuming, but there are tools that can help a lot. For example, the BridgesEDU Scholarship Finder empowers students to discover scholarships tailored to their specific needs. This robust search tool provides access to tens of thousands of scholarships, enabling students to perform a deep, highly specific search based on unique keywords, search terms, and eligibility criteria.

This means international students can efficiently uncover the scholarships most relevant to them, whether they’re based on academic merit, financial need, field of study, or specific personal attributes.

The best part is that this tool is free!

Remember! Ask Your School About Financial Aid for International Students

It’s also important to visit your school’s financial aid office, a pivotal resource for international students. Many educational institutions provide specific scholarships and grants tailored exclusively for their international students.

These financial aid opportunities can have diverse eligibility criteria. As an international student, tapping into these resources could significantly reduce your tuition fee burden, allowing you to focus on your academic success. Therefore, make it a priority to connect with your school’s financial aid office early and explore the scholarships and grants specifically set aside for international attendees like you.

Step 2: Creating Winning Applications

After creating a list of scholarships to apply for, you’ll have to create strong applications. On this front, The BridgesEDU Secrets to Scholarship Research & Writing Masterclass is a game changer. This masterclass demystifies the scholarship application process, providing insider insights on what scholarship committees truly seek in applicants.

With a tailored approach to understanding how to position your application for success, students can elevate their potential to secure scholarships. Learn the art of persuasive writing, how to highlight your unique strengths, and craft compelling narratives that resonate with selection committees. In the competitive world of scholarships, the BridgesEDU Masterclass is your secret weapon to stand out and win the scholarships you deserve.

Conclusion: International Scholarships Await

Scholarships for international students are diverse and abundant. With research and diligence, you can find a scholarship that matches your academic goals, financial need, and personal circumstances. Start your journey today and step into a world of education opportunities.

Christopher Grafos, Ph.D., is the founder and chief scholarship mentor at BridgesEDU Scholarships.

He’s a first-generation university graduate whose life was transformed by education and winning scholarships. 

Scholarships help students financially, but they also help advance a student’s career. It’s his life’s work to champion this message and share the secrets to finding and winning scholarships. 

Read more about Christopher’s journey here. 

The post Scholarships for International Students: Your Ultimate Guide first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/scholarships-for-international-students-your-ultimate-guide/

How to Conquer Common Challenges and Win a Scholarship

Before I ever won a scholarship, I sincerely believed that winning an award wasn’t possible for me. 

I remember thinking, “what could I possibly write in an essay that would convince someone to give me money for school?”

I had so much self-doubt. “Scholarships are only for students with better grades than me,” I thought. 

I was in a common trap. I believed my chances of winning a scholarship were zero percent because I just wasn’t good enough. 

During a time of financial hardship, I saw an advertisement on my university campus that said, “Scholarships”. I needed financial aid, so I went for it. I went to my college registrar and asked about scholarships I could apply for. Surprisingly, I won money quite quickly. As the funds rolled in, I had simultaneous feelings of regret and empowerment. 

Regret, because I should have applied to more scholarship programs, and sooner! Empowerment because I was finally free from the thing that initially prevented me from applying for scholarships: my insecurity. 

From Personal Experience: The Best Tips to Overcome the Most Common Obstacles to Winning Scholarships

Since the moment above, I’ve won a lot of scholarship and grant money. And I wish I knew then what I know now. Of course, until someone invents a time machine, that’s not possible. 

So, the next best thing is to share this information with others. I hope that this information helps you overcome the challenges of winning scholarships and encourages you to apply for as many scholarships as possible, as soon as possible. 

Below, I’m sharing the top obstacles I personally faced. These are the same lessons I’ve shared with students I’ve coached, some of whom have won prizes ranging from $500 up to beyond $100K. 

If you’re aware of the challenges you can expect to encounter on your scholarship journey, you’ll be more likely to overcome them. Believe me, if I can do it, you can, too. 

Scholarship Applications Take Too Much Time

When I speak with students, one of the biggest obstacles I hear is that scholarship applications take too much time. First, you have to find scholarships. Then figure out how to create a great application. Of course, submission requirements differ, so you may have to write an essay, get a letter of recommendation, and potentially hand in other required materials. 

It sounds daunting. However, here’s the thing. 

When I wrote my first scholarship application, it took me a while. But, without exaggerating, I got to a point where I could easily create between two and five applications in a week. It’s because I had learned the real secrets of scholarship applications. 

When you know what a winning formula to a scholarship committee looks like, time becomes way less of an issue. 

It was true for me and it’s true for most of my students. 

“I’m Not a Perfect Applicant, I’m Never Going to Win”: Only Stellar Students Win Scholarships

Another significant obstacle students face is a particular idea about scholarships that just isn’t true. One of the biggest myths related to scholarships is that you need to be a perfect student to win one. This misconception hurt my chances of winning more scholarships. 

It’s important to begin your scholarship process with a realistic mindset. To start, you should know that you’re capable of winning a scholarship. There is an endless number of scholarships in existence and many of them are not focused on grades. Believe it or not, there are millions of dollars every year that go unrewarded because selection committees receive no applicants for various types of scholarships. 

Moreover, you should know that it is possible for most students to win a scholarship, but you should also be realistic and know that you won’t win every time. In fact, a lot of successful scholarship applicants are rejected from many more prizes than they win.

So, the truth is, you can win scholarships whether your grades are great, average, or below average. 

“I Don’t Qualify for Financial Need, Therefore I Can’t Win a Scholarship”

There’s also a widespread belief that scholarship recipients must qualify for financial need. Of course, these scholarships are numerous. But if you do not qualify for financial need, there are other types of scholarships you can win. 

For example, do you know that there’s a scholarship for tall people? A scholarship for bird watchers? Scholarships for minority students? Scholarships from state governments? And so much more! 

This is just a tiny fraction of the number of scholarships that exist with deadlines throughout the academic year. The amount of college scholarships in existence is truly mind blowing!

To set yourself up for scholarship success, you should know what kinds of scholarships exist and what scholarships you are eligible for. This is important because college scholarships reward students for very different things. In other words, various scholarship programs offer money for college, but they do so for specific reasons.

Scholarships based on financial need are one, among many, types of awards.

“I’m Too Embarrassed to Ask for Feedback or Proofreading!”: Scholarships are Intimidating

Indeed, scholarships can be competitive. That is intimidating for some students. 

There’s also the fact that personal essays are a part of most scholarship application processes. Of course, the thing about personal essays is that they tend to be, well, personal! This sometimes makes it hard to ask others for feedback. 

It’s also just a reality that many students, and people in general, feel uncomfortable with asking others to read their work. Without question, this puts you in a vulnerable position; at least, that’s the way it feels. 

However, remember that a real human will read your scholarship essay. Of course, spelling and grammar can be checked by a proofreader, but it’s also wise to ask how your essay comes across to a reader. In particular, how would the reader perceive you if they read your essay, but didn’t know you? 

Scholarship winners create authentic essays that stand out from the crowd. It’s best to know if yours achieves this goal before you hand it in.

Asking someone you trust to read your essay is the best way to do this! Trying to find ways to pay for tuition is nothing to be embarrassed about!

“I’ll Just Apply and See What Happens”

While I won the first award I applied for, it’s not common for this to be the case. In fact, after the first prize, I submitted a number of applications … and didn’t win. Now I know it’s because I didn’t have a clear strategy. 

Having a clear strategy is something I preach to students regularly. It’s a game changer. 

Getting organized and writing down a plan is crucial for success. So, at the very least, create a simple spreadsheet to keep track of scholarship names, deadlines, and application items. You may also want to include URLs to scholarship pages so that relevant information is easily accessible as you start your scholarship applications.

It’s also a good idea to download application forms early so you know exactly what you have to prepare in order to apply. Some scholarships are quick and easy, while others require more effort and will require you to plan accordingly. If you’re applying for different scholarships throughout the school year, keep in mind that you’ll have to navigate tests and assignments, too. 

Let’s Summarize: Winning College Scholarships is All About Strategy, Not Your Résumé

Let me emphasize the main point I’ve tried to communicate here: winning scholarships is all about your mindset and strategy, not your student profile. 

Don’t get me wrong, good grades and an amazing set of extracurricular activities can help you stand out, but they’re not necessary for every scholarship. 

Earning a scholarship is possible for just about every student. However, you must understand how to overcome the most common challenges students face with scholarships. Believe in yourself and know you have the ability to figure this out. Stay motivated, keep applying, and don’t quit. 

Your bright future awaits!

Christopher Grafos, Ph.D., is the founder and chief scholarship mentor at BridgesEDU Scholarships.

He’s a first-generation university graduate whose life was transformed by education and winning scholarships. 

Scholarships help students financially, but they also help advance a student’s career. It’s his life’s work to champion this message and share the secrets to finding and winning scholarships. 

Read more about Christopher’s journey here. 

The post How to Conquer Common Challenges and Win a Scholarship first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/how-to-conquer-common-challenges-and-win-a-scholarship/

Scholarship FAQs: Your Ultimate Go-To Guide

Scholarships help students graduate with less student debt. However, they offer more than just financial aid. Scholarships can also help transform a student’s career opportunities.

But, before you find and apply for scholarships, you may have questions. So, let’s address the top 30 most frequently asked questions related to scholarships. 

Scholarship FAQs

What is a scholarship?

A scholarship is financial aid offered to high school, undergraduate, and graduate students for education purposes. 

How do scholarships work?

There are various types of scholarships with different application processes. Usually, you submit an application and wait to hear from a scholarship committee about the results. If you win, you receive the award money. 

Where can I find scholarship opportunities? 

Typically, you find scholarships online, at your school’s financial aid office, local library, or through your personal network. Finding scholarships requires strategy and can be a difference-maker in your overall success. 

How do I apply for scholarships?

The application process can vary. Depending on the scholarship program, you may have to submit a personal essay, a video, a letter of recommendation, or just your contact details. Always review submission requirements and get materials in prior to the deadline. 

What scholarships am I eligible for? 

There are literally tens of thousands of scholarships. Eligibility requirements for each may differ so research each award carefully. You may qualify for prizes based on financial need, merit, your year of study, race, gender, ethnicity, hobbies, athletics, and many other student-specific criteria. Given the range of factors for students receiving a scholarship, it’s likely that you are eligible for many awards. 

What types of scholarships are available?

There are many types of scholarships available. Here’s a list of the most common kinds of scholarships offered:

1. merit-based,
2. need-based,
3. student-specific based on personal characteristics,
4. scholarships by major or career choice,
5. institution-specific scholarships,
6. athletic scholarships,
7. brand scholarships,
8. creative scholarships. 

What is the difference between scholarships and grants?

Scholarships and grants are similar. However, grants usually have a financial need requirement and are given out by federal or state governments. 

Can I get a scholarship for online courses?

Yes, you can win a scholarship while enrolled in an online program. Always check terms and conditions to ensure you meet the requirements. 

Are scholarships only for high school seniors?

No, you can win a scholarship for most accredited higher education programs. However, many scholarships are awarded specifically to graduating high school seniors or incoming college freshman. 

What is the average scholarship amount?

Individual scholarship providers offer varying award amounts. It’s standard for values to be $500, $1,000, $2,000, and as high as $10,000 or more. Full-ride scholarships cover most expenses associated with attending college. This includes tuition, books, program fees, and room and board. 

How do I write a winning scholarship essay?

A winning scholarship essay is one that stands out from the competition. It should be memorable, easy to read, and free from grammatical errors. 

How can I improve my chances of getting a scholarship?

You can improve your chances of winning a scholarship by understanding what a scholarship selection committee is looking for. Always remember, it is people that will read your application. Know your audience and submit an application catered to it. 

Do I need a specific GPA to qualify for scholarships?

Merit scholarships are based on test scores. Consequently, you may need a specific GPA to qualify for these prizes. 

However, there are many non-merit-based scholarships that do not have a GPA requirement. It’s a common scholarship myth that you need perfect grades to win a scholarship. 

Are there scholarships for international students?

Yes! Just be sure to examine terms and conditions to know if you need U.S. citizenship or residency to qualify for a scholarship. 

Can I get a scholarship for graduate school?

Absolutely! In fact, as a graduate student, you may be able to win prestigious research scholarships only available to students at the master’s or doctoral level. 

Are scholarships available for vocational or technical programs?

Yes, many scholarships are offered to applicants in vocational or technical programs. In fact, it may be a good idea to look for these specific terms in your scholarship search. 

Can I get a scholarship for studying abroad?

Yes, there are particular scholarships for studying abroad. 

Do I have to repay scholarships?

No, a scholarship is not a loan and does not have to be repaid. 

Can I use scholarships to cover any of my expenses?

How you can spend scholarship money depends on the award’s terms and conditions. Some scholarships disburse money to accredited colleges or universities (i.e., the money goes directly toward your tuition), while others are paid to you. In some cases, money must be spent on tuition or specific education expenses. In other cases, you can spend money on whatever you choose. 

What are merit-based scholarships?

Merit-based scholarships are academic awards based on grades, test scores, or stellar extracurricular activities. 

What are need-based scholarships?

Need-based scholarships are awards based on a student’s personal or family income. 

Can I get a scholarship for sports or athletics?

Yes, scholarships for athletics exist. Depending on your sport and level of achievement, the process of earning an athletic scholarship can vary. 

Can I apply for multiple scholarships at the same time?

Yes, you can apply for multiple scholarships at the same time. However, if successful in your applications, some major scholarships do not allow you to hold more than one scholarship at a time. 

How do I maintain a scholarship once I receive it?

You may receive a scholarship more than once if you maintain your grades, student status (full- or part-time), or other relevant metrics. Not all scholarships are renewable, so do your research. 

Are there scholarships for specific fields of study?

Yes, there are scholarships for specific majors or career goals. 

Are there different types of scholarship applications?

Yes. In some cases, applicants must submit an essay, video, and/or CV. In the case of no-essay scholarships, just their contact details may be required. 

How do I ask for a letter of recommendation?

A strong letter of recommendation matters greatly for applications that require them. Ensure that your referee knows you well and has positive things to say about you and your application. Also, be sure to give your referee plenty of notice prior to the deadline. If you’re successful, write thank you notes to both the scholarship committee and your referee. A little gratitude goes a long way. 

What is a scholarship scam?

Scholarship scams may ask you to pay to apply or may phish for personal details. To be clear, you should never pay to apply for a scholarship. And, if a prize sounds to good to be true, it probably is.

Should I notify the Office of Financial Aid if I win an award?

It depends, but it’s usually good practice to do so. This is particularly true if you completed a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and received federal or state financial aid. Winning a scholarship can change your reported income and you don’t want to be surprised by changes to your funding package. 

When should I apply for scholarships?

You can start applying for scholarships as early as junior year in high school. Beyond that, there are scholarship deadlines throughout the academic year and summer months, so anytime is a good time to apply!

Going Beyond FAQs

Now that your questions have been answered, it’s time to start searching and applying for scholarships! 

Remember, there are many scholarship opportunities out there for most students.

Given the cost of college, it makes sense to apply no matter what your grades or profile look like. Do your research, plan, and submit. Scholarships take time and effort, but the payout is worth it all. Just imagine an award letter with your name on it! 

The post Scholarship FAQs: Your Ultimate Go-To Guide first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/scholarship-faqs-your-ultimate-go-to-guide/

Busting Common Scholarship Myths to Ignite Student Success

There are many widespread myths about college scholarships. Maybe you’ve heard some, or maybe you’ve heard them all. 

The problem is that these misconceptions can mislead students and reduce the chances of winning scholarship opportunities.

The worst part is that scholarship myths disproportionately hurt students who need financial aid the most. However, these myths don’t just negatively impact students with financial need, they have the ability to sabotage the education and career plans of all students.  

Scholarships are accessible to more students than what is commonly believed. 

And here is the most important thing: scholarships can be a game changer for a student’s career, their financial well-being, and their or their family’s bank account. 

Without exaggeration, scholarships have the ability to transform lives and careers. Besides using scholarship money to pay for college costs, having a track record of winning scholarships makes you more competitive for any future opportunities you wish to pursue. 

Please know that most students can win a scholarship. Don’t let these myths hold you back. 

Why Common Scholarship Myths are so … Common!

Winning scholarships is possible for most students, but that doesn’t mean it’s easy. 

Conducting a scholarship search takes time. Scholarship applications take time. And of course, there’s uncertainty about whether you’ll even win. 

And here’s the thing that many don’t understand about applying for scholarships: a failing average can actually be a tremendous victory. Let’s clarify what this means. 

Let’s say you win three scholarships every year. How does that sound? Amazing! Right? 

Well, the average student can expect to win about 20 to 40 percent of the scholarships they apply for. That means for those three scholarship wins, you may have received seven rejections. It also means that you were only successful 30 percent of the time. You see, three scholarships sounds great, but 30 percent success sounds deeply discouraging. 

So, here’s the truth. The world of scholarships can be exhilarating when you win. But, it can be discouraging when you don’t. 

This is why myths about scholarships are so prevalent. There are likely many scholarships you can apply for and won’t win. But, winning every scholarship you apply for isn’t the point. Winning scholarships, period. That’s that point. This is something that many don’t understand. 

Unfortunately, the lack of understanding and myths about scholarships prevent some people from ever applying. Let’s look at those myths.

Myth 1: Only Students with Perfect Grades Can Win Scholarship Money

Many people believe that scholarships are only awarded to students with A+ grades and high test scores. While merit-based scholarships consider your GPA, not all scholarships do. There are many types of scholarships that are based on other criteria. For example, there are scholarships based on certain hobbies, academic major, ancestry, ethnicity, race, gender, service in the military, and much more. 

Myth 2: Scholarships are Only for High School Seniors

There are thousands of scholarships for all levels of study. This includes prizes for undergraduates, graduate students, and mature or non-traditional students returning to higher learning after a break. 

Myth 3: You Must Fill Out the FAFSA and Qualify for Federal Financial Aid to Win a College Scholarship

Certainly, there are many scholarships available that require a student to complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and qualify for need-based financial aid. However, these are largely eligibility requirements for need-based federal or state-level scholarships. If you don’t qualify for financial need scholarships and federal loans, simply turn your attention to other prizes where this isn’t a requirement. 

Myth 4: Only Underrepresented Students Can Earn Scholarships for College

There are scholarships available for students of all backgrounds. Search for scholarships in any community that you’re a part of, whether you’re from an underrepresented community or not. Many charities, religious organizations, local institutions, and others invest in students for all kinds of reasons. Focus on scholarships that fit your profile and you’ll likely find options that you qualify for. 

Myth 5: It’s Not the Right Time of Year to Apply for Scholarships

Various scholarships have deadlines throughout the year. The application process tends to occur in October to April for government scholarships and grants. Private scholarships pop up throughout the entire calendar year, too, so you can search and apply for scholarships any time. 

Myth 6: Only Students with Amazing Extracurricular Activities Get Money

Community service and leadership is not a requirement for all scholarships. Many scholarships are awarded for writing an essay on an important topic, pursuing a particular career goal, having a certain hobby, and many other things. If extracurriculars aren’t your strong suit, search for other types of scholarships.  

Myth 7: Only High-Value Scholarships that Cover Full Tuition are Worth Pursuing

Scholarships offering a full ride for college or university are extremely competitive and winning one is rare. However, smaller scholarships can offer a good sum of money, too. The great thing about smaller scholarships is that they tend to be less competitive. This increases your chances of winning money for college. In the long term, winning several scholarships can make you a better candidate for larger prizes in the future. It can also help distinguish your profile in competitive job markets after you graduate. 

Myth 8: One Scholarship, One Payment

It can seem like a lot of work to apply for scholarships that don’t have a huge financial reward. However, some scholarships renew automatically as long as you continue to meet eligibility criteria. This means that you can receive a scholarship for multiple years and you don’t have to reapply each year. Of course, always read the fine print to know if a scholarship is renewable. 

Myth 9: Finding Scholarships and Writing an Essay Takes Too Much Time

It’s true, finding and applying for scholarships takes time. However, with a plan and the right strategies, it can absolutely be worth it. Think about how many hours you’d have to work at a part-time job to earn $1,000. Now, what may happen if you invest those hours applying for as many scholarships as possible? 

Scholarship applications should be viewed as a wise investment. You can win money to help pay for college now, but you may also be able to graduate with fewer student loans. After graduation, you’ll feel less pressure to pay back money and you’ll have a great profile to help you advance your career. Now that’s long-term thinking worth considering!

Busting Myths About Scholarships & Getting Empowered

The bottom line is this: the right scholarship is out there for you to win. With the right knowledge and strategies, you absolutely have the ability to win money for college. 

Scholarships can change your financial life, as well as the quality of your student and professional profile. For these reasons alone, scholarships should be an important part of any student’s higher learning plan. 

Myths are powerful because they tow the line between real and imaginary. Make your scholarship dreams real. You can make it happen. Find and apply for scholarships today. 

The post Busting Common Scholarship Myths to Ignite Student Success first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/busting-common-scholarship-myths-to-ignite-student-success/

Smart Spending: Ways You Can Use Your Scholarship Money

Winning a scholarship is a great accomplishment. Who wouldn’t want free money for school? 

But, did you know that there may be conditions on how the funds are spent?

That means you may or may not be able to use your scholarship money in any way you wish. 

This begs the question, how can scholarship money be used? Below, we’ll cover all you need to know about this topic in your college career. 

How College Scholarship Money is Delivered to You

Scholarship money may be delivered to you in one of several ways. Those who run the scholarship program usually decide how this happens. Typically, you can find this information in the scholarship rules before you apply. 

One way you might receive award money is by payment into your student account. In this case, the money would be paid directly to your college, and you would see a credit in your profile.

Another way you may receive the money is by check or electronic cash transfer to your bank account.

Example

For example, many scholarships based on financial need typically send funds straight to your college. In the case of high school students, money is released once you officially enroll at your college or university. 

Additionally, it’s important to know that scholarships may have spending restrictions on the types of things you can spend on. So, let’s cover how scholarship providers permit you to use scholarship dollars. 

Before Using Scholarship Money: Check Eligibility Criteria

How you can spend scholarship money is determined by scholarship providers. These rules should be laid out in the terms and conditions or eligibility requirements of a scholarship opportunity.

It’s helpful to know if you can use scholarship money for anything at all or if the funds must be spent in a particular way. This will help you with planning your college education. 

Use Scholarship Money for Tuition

Several scholarships will only allow you to put prize money toward college tuition. As mentioned previously, money in this case will be sent to your college registrar or financial aid office. A credit is then applied to your account.

Scholarship Money for Education Expenses

Other types of scholarships are awarded to students to help with the overall cost of attending college. Typically, things like books, supplies, or items related to your program qualify.

You should know that education-related expenses is a broad category. If you have any questions about where you can spend the scholarship money and about what counts as an education-related expense, you can always get in touch with your financial aid office or the scholarship provider.

Scholarship Money to Cover Room and Board Costs

One of the other major categories for scholarship money is living costs. This includes paying for housing and meal plans.

As you may know, living in a college residence can be expensive. The cost of renting a dorm in tandem with food costs can add up. For this reason, certain scholarships exist exclusively to help with these expenses. If you’re not able to live at home as an undergraduate or graduate student, scholarships for living expenses can be a great way to keep your monthly cost of attendance low.

In the long term, these scholarship prizes also help college students avoid ballooning credit card bills, private student loan debt, or other forms of financial aid that must be paid back. 

College Scholarships for Anything? Using the Money for Other College Costs … and Maybe a Spring Break Vacation

Not all scholarship awards will have terms and conditions on prize money. In other words, you can spend the winnings on anything you want – including the cost of college, paying down a student loan, or new school supplies. You’re also not limited to spending on items related to school. So, yes, you can technically spend it on a trip or spring break vacation, among many other things. 

These types of awards are usually given out by private scholarship donors (not a school or government institution). If you require more spending flexibility, try to find scholarships without strict spending criteria. 

What Happens to Unused Scholarship Winnings?

How unused scholarship money is handled depends on the scholarship provider or your school. 

In most circumstances however, leftover money is sent to you as a refund. Be sure to understand any tax requirements on this money. 

Are Scholarships and Grants Handled the Same Way? 

Yes, scholarship and grant money are delivered to you in an identical fashion. 

Similarly, grants, which usually come from a federal or state government, have spending restrictions. Given that grants are normally need-based, the funds are tied to eligible expenses. 

Have a Student Loan or Financial Aid Package? Be Sure to Check Terms on Using the Scholarship Money

If you simultaneously receive a private scholarship and student aid, you should speak with someone from your college’s registrar or financial aid office. The scholarship prize may influence the amount of federal student aid that you qualify for, and you shouldn’t be blindsided by an unexpected dip in finances.

Remember that while filling out the FAFSA, Pell Grant, and other financial aid applications, you’re asked for your statement of income. Receiving a scholarship check could change your status for financial aid packages depending on the amount of scholarship funds you receive.

Summary: What Can You Use Scholarship Money For?

Paying for college seems to get harder each year. That’s why scholarships should be a part of any student’s financial budgeting and college plan. When trying to figure out what scholarship money can be used for, here’s a summary of some things to consider:

• How you spend scholarship funds depends on the terms and conditions provided by a scholarship donor. 
• To determine what you can use scholarship money for, check the fine print when conducting a scholarship search.
• The most common things you can use scholarship money to pay for are tuition, education expenses, and room and board.
• In cases of unused funds, students are normally sent a refund check by their college or university registrar. 
• Not all scholarships for college have restrictions on how you spend the money, so check the fine print.

The post Smart Spending: Ways You Can Use Your Scholarship Money first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/smart-spending-ways-you-can-use-your-scholarship-money/

Discover What GPA You Need to Win a Scholarship

One of the most common questions related to scholarships is: what GPA is required to win? 

Naturally, this question inspires other questions, too. Do you need a 4.0 GPA to win a scholarship? What are your chances of winning a scholarship without a strong GPA? For example, can you win a college scholarship with a 2.0 GPA? Should you avoid certain scholarships because of your GPA? Do GPAs even matter at all? In addition to these questions related to grades, you may have others. 

Below, we’ll provide a comprehensive guide on the relationship between grades, test scores, and scholarships. 

This guide is designed to help students who fall anywhere on the 4.0 scale. Ultimately, if you’re seeking financial aid for college, your grades shouldn’t be the deciding factor on whether you apply for scholarships. However, knowing what GPA is needed for different types of scholarships is key to your success. 

Scholarships help students in big ways so let’s help you navigate this part of your college career. 

What GPA Do You Need to Get a Scholarship?

The real answer to this question is: it depends. 

Every scholarship has its own eligibility requirements, which means you may need a minimum 3.0 GPA, 3.5, or something even higher. To know the minimum cut-off, you should always read scholarship eligibility criteria. 

In order to guide you in determining whether and/or to what extent your GPA matters for the scholarships to which you want to apply, let’s break down scholarships into two categories: merit-based scholarships and non-merit-based scholarships. 

Merit Scholarships: What’s a Competitive GPA? Do you need a 4.0?

Merit-based scholarships largely focus on your grades, standardized test scores, and/or class rank. As you may be able to tell from the name, these scholarships are based on academic achievement. 

It’s safe to say that for these awards, you should assume that the better your marks, the more competitive your application. For top scholarships – meaning full-ride scholarships that offer full tuition – you’ll likely need a 3.7 to 4.0 GPA.

What Grade Point Average Do You Need to Get a Full Scholarship?

To earn a full ride, you must be an outstanding student who shows lots of academic promise. This means you’ll likely need to have a strong grade point average in addition to a great extracurricular profile. Furthermore, while many scholarship providers state a minimum GPA requirement, it’s likely that winning applicants will have a higher grade point average. 

Certain scholarships may also be awarded based on other criteria, e.g., test scores, in addition to a student’s GPA. 

Here’s an example of one full-ride scholarship from the State of Arkansas:

Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship (GS)

The Governor’s Distinguished Scholarship is the most academically rigorous scholarship program offered for Arkansas student. It exists for those in senior year scoring either a minimum composite or superscore of 32 on the ACT or 1410 on the SAT and a 3.50 academic grade point average. Those named National Merit Finalists or National Achievement Scholars may qualify without meeting the GPA requirement, but must still meet the ACT/SAT requirement. FAFSA is required. The scholarship pays tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board up to $10,000 per year.

Where Do You Find Full-Ride Scholarships?

Full-ride scholarships are offered by governments, colleges, and private donors. Because of the range of providers, you’ll want to create an awards list based on extensive research of federal programs, state-level scholarships and grants, college or university financial aid offices, and scholarship databases. 

Searching for full-ride scholarships is a process that you should start early. With the amount of scholarship money at stake, you should be prepared to invest ample time into finding scholarships and creating applications.

Put simply, academic scholarships that cover the full cost of tuition, room and board, and other expenses, are extremely competitive. So, the better your grades, the better your chances of getting one of these awards. However, keep in mind, it’s rare to get a full-ride scholarship. 

Non-Merit-Based Scholarships: Is There a Minimum GPA Requirement?

The number of American scholarships that are given away for reasons not related to grades is huge! However, good grades will always help. After all, could you ever imagine a situation where a scholarship committee rejects an application because a student’s grades are too strong? Probably not. 

With that said, there is no universal GPA requirement for scholarship applications that are not merit-based. 

At the lowest end of the spectrum where scholarships are not academically competitive, you’ll likely need at least a 2.0 GPA or higher to win. But, as you’ll see in the section below, not all scholarships have a stated minimum grade point average. 

Generally speaking, a lot of scholarship programs will require students to have a 3.0 average (cumulative) GPA. But since this is not always the case, be sure to examine eligibility criteria carefully. 

So, Do You Need a Good GPA to Get a Scholarship? Consider the Type of Scholarship You’re Applying For

The reality is that not all scholarships exist for the purpose of rewarding students with a high GPA. There are scholarships based on financial need, career choice, student-specific criteria like race or gender, and many other factors. 

So, the reality is that a strong GPA is not always necessary to win a scholarship. 

If your test scores or grades just aren’t very competitive, you shouldn’t be discouraged from finding and applying to scholarships. To find competitions that look beyond your GPA, think about what makes you unique and start there in your scholarship search. 

Here are just a few kinds of scholarships that you can look for that are not based only on merit: community service, household income, being a high school senior, studying a specific major, living in a certain county or region, experiencing adversity, ancestry, travels, weird talents or quirks, issues related to your health, languages you speak, scholarships for women, graduate students, scholarships for veterans, scholarships for African-American and Hispanic students, athletic scholarships, and many more. As you can see, scholarship providers give away money to students for a number of reasons!

Don’t Have a Strong Grade Point Average? Apply Anyway

Considering all of the above points, you should apply for scholarships no matter what your GPA is. 

If you’ve earned a place in college or university through the admissions process, it likely means you’ll be able to persuade a scholarship committee that you deserve scholarship money. 

Additionally, there are thousands of scholarships due every single month based on various criteria, so the perfect prize is likely out there for you. But, be prepared to do a little digging to find it. 

The time you’ll invest is worth it. And the benefit of winning just one scholarship is that you become an even better candidate for other prizes. 

Final Word: Do You Need a Minimum GPA to Win a Scholarship? 

What we’ve learned here is that good grades will likely always help an application. 

If you’d like to pursue merit-based scholarships with big financial prizes, you’ll likely need a 3.5 to 3.8 GPA (or higher) to be competitive. As noted, if you’re pursuing a full-ride scholarship, competition will be fierce. So, the higher your GPA, the better. 

On the other hand, there are plenty of scholarships with much lower GPA standards (sometimes around 2.0). That’s because these prizes are not based on academic standards. Rather, scholarships like need-based awards offer financial aid to students for reasons beyond GPAs. 

The bottom line? Your GPA may be very important or not important at all. Examine your academic profile and extracurricular activities in relation to scholarship opportunities and pursue those that match well. College and university aren’t cheap. You owe it to yourself to reap the benefits of scholarships, no matter where your GPA lies. 

The post Discover What GPA You Need to Win a Scholarship first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/discover-what-gpa-you-need-to-win-a-scholarship/

The Ultimate Guide to Avoiding Common Scholarship Mistakes

Winning scholarships can be a crucial step toward achieving success in college or university. But, before you even start the process of applying for scholarships, it’s a good idea to understand the most common mistakes students make. 

In the following two sections, we’ll break down these common mistakes. First, we’ll discuss what you should avoid when looking for scholarship opportunities. Then, we’ll cover common pitfalls to avoid when you apply for scholarship awards.

To be clear, finding scholarships and applying for scholarships are different processes.

In this ultimate guide of what to avoid as you head on your scholarship journey, we’ll empower you to sidestep common errors. We’ll help you avoid wasting time. And, we’ll help position you to succeed in finding money for college tuition and education expenses. Ultimately, we’ll encourage you to take control of your financial destiny and graduate with less student debt. 

It’s never been more important to know how to win in the scholarship game. Scholarships help students immensely. So, let’s understand how to win. 

Part I: Common Mistakes to Avoid When Searching for Scholarships 

In this section, we’ll cover what to avoid in the scholarship search process. 

Avoid Scholarships with Lots of Competition: The Power of Smaller Scholarships

One of the biggest obstacles to winning a scholarship is competition. Luckily, there are strategies you can use when researching scholarships so that you can avoid applying for awards with loads of competition. 

One easy way to assess how many applicants a scholarship may receive is to examine its eligibility requirements. Typically, the more specific the criteria, the less competition. It’s that simple. 

If a scholarship is open to all students attending any college or university in the United States, the potential pool of applicants is huge. However, many scholarships use more specific criteria in order to determine eligibility. 

For example, there are specific scholarship opportunities for women in STEM fields, scholarships for military veterans, scholarships for minority students, school-specific scholarships, scholarships based on major, and many more.

Awards with very specific criteria tend to be less in value. However, there also tends to be less competition because of the fact that many students are ineligible to win. This means that if you’re eligible for one of these scholarships, you have a greater chance of being the successful recipient.

The advice here is simple: Don’t waste your time applying for scholarships you’re unlikely to win. When you start your scholarship journey, search for scholarships with less competition. 

Avoid Scholarships You Don’t Mesh With

Another thing to consider when examining scholarship opportunities is the mission of the award. In some cases, you might meet the eligibility requirements of a scholarship, but not match well with the priorities of a scholarship provider.

For example, if the mission of a scholarship program is to invest in students who have a history of exceptional leadership and you think that you may win the scholarship prize because you won a national chess competition, there’s clearly a disconnect. Despite being impressive, your profile doesn’t match well with the spirit of the scholarship prize, and it may be wiser to focus time and energy on a different scholarship competition.

Similarly, a merit-based scholarship invests in students with exceptional grades or test scores. Common requirements are that students have a 3.0 GPA or higher for these prizes. However, it’s likely that competition will be fierce and winners will have a stronger GPA – higher than 3.5. 

While you may have grades that meet the minimum requirement, they may not be high enough to help you stand out from the crowd. If this is the case, don’t worry. There are many types of scholarships and the right one is likely out there for you. 

Avoid Sticking to the First Results on Scholarship Lists or Scholarship Databases: Go Deep in Your Scholarship Search

When searching for scholarships you may want to avoid staying on the first page of various scholarship lists, scholarship databases, or scholarship search engines. You should probably assume that the ease in finding these awards will make them an easy option for many other students, too.

Without question, scholarships that are easy to find (e.g., the first page of google) will have greater competition than those which require some digging. So, in your search, navigate as far and wide as possible. The deeper you go into the pages of search engines, the less likely it will be that others find the same prizes.

If you need some motivation on this front, treat this like a digital treasure hunt with scholarship money as your prize. The even bigger endgame is graduating from college with fewer student loans, credit card debt, or other forms of financial aid that you have to pay back. 

Scholarship Scams

Unfortunately, there are some illegitimate scholarship websites and opportunities that exist. These operations typically ask for some form of payment to apply, ask you to click links that install malware on your device, or simply ask for your email for spamming purposes. 

Let’s be clear. You should never pay to apply for scholarships or services to help you find scholarships. Scholarships do not have fees and if you’re looking for awards, there are many free scholarship finders online. 

One of the most obvious signs that a scholarship is not real is when there are daily or weekly cash giveaways. It’s unlikely that a scholarship fund has the capacity to give away $1,000 per day. So, exercise caution and think about whether an offer is too good to be true. 

Always remember, there are many real scholarships available to students. If something seems off, it probably is. In this case, pivot to the next prize and get to work on that application!

Part II: Things to Avoid When Applying for Scholarships

In this section, we’ll cover what to avoid when applying for scholarships. 

Missing Deadlines When Applying for Scholarships

Every scholarship application has a deadline. Be sure to record it and submit materials early!

Quite simply, you cannot win a scholarship if you don’t apply on time. In fact, most scholarship opportunities will say this clearly in the terms and conditions. 

After spending time creating an application, don’t hurt your opportunity to win by failing to submit it on time. For scholarship committees, these rules are non-negotiable. 

Additionally, it’s a good idea to submit materials early to avoid any technical issues or submission errors. It’s not uncommon for a scholarship website to crash on deadline day because of high volumes of traffic. Often, these types of system glitches won’t be taken into consideration if you submit after a stated due date. 

Submitting a Generic Answer to a Scholarship Essay Question 

One of the most avoidable mistakes many students make is submitting an application and essay that contains generic information. This typically happens when someone finds a scholarship they want to apply for; then they cut and paste the content from a previously submitted application into the new one. 

While this is fast and efficient, it typically doesn’t meet what scholarship committees look for. 

Always remember that people will be reading your application. The best applications will take this seriously. 

Personal essays should be authentic and catered to a specific audience. The more you’re able to do this, the better it will resonate with those choosing the winner of a competition. 

Cut and Pasting from ChatGPT or other AI Writers

The ease of using platforms like ChatGPT and other AI writers makes them attractive. It’s no secret that these writing tools have powerful capabilities that may entice many students to use them. 

However, if these tools aren’t used correctly, the results tend to be generic, and even worse, similar to other submissions. 

Consider this example. Imagine you decide to submit a scholarship application asking for a personal essay on why you deserve the prize. You sign into an AI writer and ask it to construct an essay in response to this question. It creates a 500-word response that notes your work ethic, perseverance, and academic record. 

Well, if other students approach their application in the same way, it’s likely that their answers will be very similar. This will likely get you immediately disqualified from the competition. And if you’re not disqualified, it’s unlikely you’ll win. 

Scholarship essays should always be personalized with examples from your life (where applicable). While artificial intelligence has amazing capabilities, it must be approached with caution when used as a scholarship aid. 

Summary: Avoid these Common Mistakes when Searching and Applying for Scholarships

By implementing the strategies and insights shared in this guide, you can position yourself to win in the world of scholarships. With determination and a solid plan, you can overcome the challenges outlined above. Take control of your future and seize the opportunities that scholarships provide. Your dreams are waiting to be realized, and scholarships can be the key that unlocks the doors to your academic and personal success. Start your scholarship journey today and pave the way to a brighter future. Good luck!

Summary of major points above:

• Avoid scholarships with lots of competition and focus on smaller local awards.
• Bypass scholarships whose mission or eligibility requirements you don’t mesh well with.
• Try not to stick only to the first results you find in a scholarship search.
• Stay away from scholarship scams. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
• Record deadlines and submit materials early.
• Avoid cut and pasting generic answers from other applications.
• Use AI tools with caution as they tend to answer questions in very similar ways.

The post The Ultimate Guide to Avoiding Common Scholarship Mistakes first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-avoiding-common-scholarship-mistakes/

More Dreams & Less Debt: How Scholarships Help Students

It’s no secret. Scholarships can help you pay for college.

While that alone is a tremendous help for students, there are also other benefits to scholarships. Most notably, scholarships provide money for college and university expenses that you don’t have to pay back.

Of course, there are benefits to students who don’t require financial aid for school, too. If you and/or your family have saved for college, this means you can use extra funds elsewhere. But, the benefits of scholarships don’t stop in your college years. 

Put simply, scholarships offer much more than just money. Below, we’ll cover how and in what other ways scholarships help students. 

So, if you’re thinking about applying for scholarships, consider the points below while you conduct your scholarship search. 

Winning One Scholarship Can Help You Win Many

Applying to a scholarship can be intimidating. Winning even one can seem impossible. The funny thing about these types of competitions is that as you grow successful, money starts to follow.

As you accumulate small scholarship awards, the list of accomplishments help your résumé stand out and make you a more credible candidate for more merit-based scholarships. When a scholarship committee sees that you are committed to finding awards, applying to them, and winning them, they’ll more likely want to invest in you. This is why, as a general principle, money follows money.

How Scholarships Help Students Achieve Career Goals

As an undergraduate student, you may seek out opportunities that will help build your skills and career profile, such as research assistantships, internships, or extracurricular activities like student council.

So, what do scholarships have to do with attaining these opportunities? Put simply, scholarship money makes you a stronger candidate for any kind of competitive contest. That’s because the wins help distinguish your résumé (especially for merit-based scholarships).

Applying for scholarships can also help you land jobs in the future, especially when competing among new college graduates for employment opportunities. Think about the qualities usually associated with scholarship winners: motivation to succeed, great communication skills, ambition, and many other positive traits. A track record of winning scholarship prizes can communicate these things for you, without you having to say it.

Ultimately, college scholarships help to distinguish your achievements from others. This will help promote your success in college, alongside whatever future ambitions you decide to pursue.

Scholarships Offer an Opportunity to Improve Your Communication Skills

Applying for scholarships can help you grow your abilities in the art of communication. To win scholarships and grants, you must know how to communicate a lot of information in persuasive ways. Your scholarship essays should be enjoyable to read, unique, and grammatically sound. The more you practice these skills, the better you’ll get.

Beyond growing your communication skills, understanding what constitutes good writing can have incalculable benefits for your career. Communicating concisely and with precision is a tremendous asset in the professional world. Knowing how to do so can help you convey strategy to your colleagues, express difficult ideas in ways that are easy to understand, and transmit confidence to those with whom you work.

When you communicate well, you can build relationships with others faster and allow them to clearly see your vision and perspective. It’s no secret that effective communication is a hallmark of leadership and professional success. Practice with scholarship writing can help grow this important skill.    

Scholarship Money Allows Students to Focus on Learning and Enhance the College Experience

Although college scholarships promote student success in a variety of ways, it’s undeniable that money is at the top of the list. The financial benefit of scholarships helps students defray education expenses and diminish the debt incurred through federal student aid programs or private loans.

While student aid helps a lot of people access higher education, you shouldn’t lose sight of the fact that it has to be repaid. Receiving scholarships can, at least in part, remove financial barriers and promote student success in college and beyond (reducing the financial burden can have hidden benefits like graduating on time, too).

Certainly, it’s no secret that scholarship money can allow students to focus on learning, extracurriculars, and other items that will benefit their career. When students can focus on these longer-term goals, there’s no telling what one can achieve.

This is how winning scholarship money can help you take advantage of all the great learning and extracurricular opportunities your college has to offer.

Financial Assistance Without the Pressure of Repayment

Winning scholarship money for the present also influences your financial future. For many students, the pressure of repaying student loans can be significant.

The need to pay monthly minimums sometimes leads students to take on unappealing employment opportunities at the expense of those they actually desire. Similarly, if your career goals require you to do more volunteer work, looming student loans can prevent you from doing so.

The unfortunate reality is that student loans must be paid back after you graduate. While emerging government programs help many, there’s still a financial obligation. Applying for many scholarships may not just help now, but after your graduate school, too! 

Summary: Scholarships Help Students with Education and Career Goals

There are many reasons why scholarships are important. Winning a scholarship provides you with a way to pay for college costs. But, scholarship recipients are helped in ways that go beyond money. Let’s summarize these points: 

1. Winning one scholarship can make you a better candidate to win several scholarships.
2. A record of winning scholarships may help you land competitive extracurricular positions or employment opportunities. 
3. Submitting many scholarship applications can help build your communication skills. 
4. Scholarships are financial aid awards designed to help students focus on academics and get the most out of their college education. 
5. Scholarships help you after graduation because you’ll face less pressure to repay student loans. 

Scholarships can help you graduate from college or university in a better position. So, don’t hesitate any longer! Start looking for scholarships now and get a start on those applications! 

The post More Dreams & Less Debt: How Scholarships Help Students first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/more-dreams-less-debt-how-scholarships-help-students/

How to Decode What Scholarship Committees Look For & Win

Below, we’ll help you unlock the secrets of what scholarship committees look for in applicants. 

If you’re interested in using scholarships and grants to help pay for college, this is information you must know. Yes, there are many scholarships out there, but many of them are quite competitive. However, there’s good news if you’re reading this. 

Whether a scholarship has few or many applicants, understanding the wish list of every scholarship committee will give you a huge advantage over other students. So, let’s examine how a scholarship committee approaches the selection process and what you can do to stand out in applications! 

To Win, You Must Deliver the Qualities Scholarship Committees Look For

When you’re applying for scholarships, there are a couple of things to keep in mind.

The first one is that the committee will read your personal essay in addition to countless others.

This means that you have to make sure your application stands out from the crowd. It’s not enough to merely meet the eligibility requirements of a scholarship award. To win, you must deliver a point that is well-thought-out and on message. 

So, let’s cover what that means.

Your Essay, Your Story

The most important thing scholarship committee members look for is your story. Everyone has one, but it’s the presentation style (and flare) that matters most.

No matter how typical you may think you are, everyone has an interesting story; everyone is made up of various angles and textures, and scholarship committees want to know these things about you.

Your story has to be positioned in a way that highlights your uniqueness, which can be as simple as not saying what everyone else is likely to say. In other words, don’t be afraid to be different.

For example, let’s imagine a scholarship opportunity is given away to students who qualify for financial aid. What do you think most applicants would say? They would likely focus on the cost of college or perhaps a desire to avoid huge private student loans or student financial aid.

In this case, you may want to be different and highlight how a scholarship could give you an opportunity to work less as a student and innovate in your chosen field of study. This essay writing tip might be a fresh way of tackling an application and offering qualities scholarship committees look for.

Fit Your Scholarship Application with the Mission of the Scholarship

Every scholarship has a mission or mandate. However, the degree to which scholarship providers make this known varies. Whether it’s promoted or not, scholarship committees like students who reflect the values or mission of the scholarship. So, how do you figure out what a scholarship’s mandate is or what type of scholarship you’re applying for?

A scholarship’s mandate may be the purpose that a prize is trying to serve or it might be related to why the scholarship was founded/created. For example, a scholarship may exist to reward students who volunteer. Perhaps this scholarship’s mandate is to advocate for community service.

On the other hand, another scholarship may exist to honor the work and career of a prominent scientist who recently retired. The prize’s mandate may be to reward innovative science students. As you can see, different prizes exist for different reasons. Consequently, scholarship committees will look for students who can be great ambassadors of any given scholarship prize.

In light of this, always ensure that you read, understand, and position yourself well in relation to a scholarship’s mission/mandate.

Your Potential

In addition to highlighting aspects of your student profile and résumé in your application, you should also use your scholarship essay to show scholarship committee members where you’re going. In particular, you’ll want to showcase your potential.

Scholarship committees don’t just invest in what you’ve done, they also invest in who you will become.

When writing personal statements, students often give as many details as possible about extracurriculars and recent grades, but they neglect to tell scholarship committees about their future ambitions.

This is where you can go above and beyond. If your career goals line up with the scholarship’s mission, then sharing your future ambitions is bound to impress the committee looking over your statement.

Grades and Extracurricular Activities: Transcripts and Letters of Recommendation

When you apply for scholarships, your chances of getting selected are enhanced by strong academic performance and extracurricular activities. 

Academic potential is a big asset when you apply for a scholarship. Especially in cases where you’re competing against hundreds or thousands of students.  

If you don’t have incredible grades, it isn’t the end of the world. You can still show that you’re a strong applicant by highlighting leadership positions or activities related to volunteerism. 

And if you don’t have good grades or many extracurricular activities, don’t let this shake your confidence. Instead, you can focus on finding scholarships that are not merit based to improve your chances of winning. 

Keep in mind that there are countless college scholarships out there – something you’ll soon realize after doing scholarship searches. While some scholarships look for students who have shown leadership ability, others exist exclusively to help students with the cost of college. The point here is that when you compare scholarships, you may find that some suit your profile better than others. Whether you have a stellar GPA or not, you should still find and apply for scholarship opportunities.  

When required, strong letters of recommendation can also go a long way to make you stand out. This is why it’s important to ask mentors, teachers, or coaches who you have a history with. Additionally, you’ll want to ask mentors who you know will be very supportive of you. Keep in mind, just because someone says “yes” to writing a letter of recommendation, it doesn’t mean that they will write a strong one! 

Attention to Details: Proofread and Polish!

It’s a sign of maturity, professionalism, and strong communication skills when a student submits a scholarship application that isn’t riddled with grammatical mistakes and careless spelling errors.

Scholarship committee members reward students who complete applications with precision. There are a few things you can do to ensure that your application doesn’t give the impression that you started it last minute.

Of course, the first thing you can do is start early and give yourself time to construct all necessary parts of your application.

Second, always ensure that you proofread your work so that scholarship committees aren’t catching missing words, letters, or poor grammar while reading your scholarship essay and other application materials. 

Are Scholarship Committee Members Known?

For any application, it’s important to know your audience. When assessing what to write in a personal statement or scholarship essay, you should always ask yourself: who will be reading this submission? Are members of the scholarship committee publicly posted?

When scholarship committee members are known/made publicly available, it’s wise to take a moment to examine their profiles. It may be the case that their social media accounts give you some important insights about their passions and interests. This is key to knowing your audience and it can help you shape your scholarship application in ways that speak to scholarship committee members (i.e., those who will be deciding who wins the scholarship money).

Summary: Ways to Stand Out in Scholarship Applications

Overall, knowing your scholarship application audience and understanding how to communicate with them in your personal statement is an asset. Here’s a brief summary of how you can deliver what scholarship committees are looking for and succeed in crafting stellar applications:

• Deliver your story and be different. The more unique, the better.
  
• Research a scholarship’s mandate and show a committee how you reflect it. 
  
• Where possible, showcase strong grades. 
  
• Ensure that your mentors are very supportive with letters of recommendation.
• Outline your future academic goals and/or career path. 
  
• Edit, edit, edit! Good grammar and spelling are necessary. 
  
• Research scholarship committee members (if known) so you can effectively communicate with your audience!

The post How to Decode What Scholarship Committees Look For & Win first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/how-to-decode-what-scholarship-committees-look-for-win/

5 Unique Ways to Make Your Scholarship Application Stand Out

It’s likely that most scholarship competitions will receive multiple applicants. So, how do you stand out in your scholarship application? How do you ensure that among many students applying for a scholarship, you leave the best impression on the scholarship committee? 

Below, we’ll answer these questions. Above all else, we’ll provide tips to help you create a memorable essay that wins. If you consider these 5 expert insights alone, it’s possible for you to elevate your scholarship applications from bland to clear stand out. That’s a big win that can help you win big! 

Scholarships offer great way to pay for college. Winning money for school can help you take fewer student loans and can elevate the prestige of your student profile. This can be huge when you’re done college or university and looking for a job. There are several pros and cons to applying for scholarships, but ultimately, it pays to apply. 

What You Have Control Over in a Scholarship Application:         Your Scholarship Essay vs. Other Application Components

Below, we’re going to focus on your scholarship essay. That’s because it’s one of the few application components that you have full control over in the application process. 

Let’s clarify what this means. 

It’s no secret that there are tons of scholarships in existence. And, along with this long list of scholarships comes a diverse set of applications. Some require a video submission, others an interview, and there are even very short online applications that allow you to apply with just a few clicks. Put simply, each application is unique. 

However, there are items that are fairly consistent in the application process. Notably, this is your transcript (report card), recommendation letters, and a personal statement.

Now, here’s the thing. You can’t go back in time and change your grades. You also can’t go back in time and take on more volunteer hours or start a club. These are elements of your application that happened in the past. You need to have already invested time in these parts of your student profile in order to make them stand out. So, since you can’t change your extracurricular activities of the past or your grades, what part of a scholarship application do you have control over? 

Well, that’s where your scholarship essay enters into the equation. This is a part of the process that you have complete control over. You can write, change, proofread, and edit your essay as much as you want prior to submitting it. On top of this, it’s one of the most important items that scholarship judges will assess. So, with that said, let’s cover 5 things that you can focus on to make your application appealing to a scholarship committee. 

The Most Important Thing That Makes You Unique – Your Authentic Story

When writing your scholarship essay, the most important thing you can do to stand out is offer a real authentic story of who you are. There’s nothing more interesting than a good story that’s told in a compelling way.

Storytelling is a powerful tool because it grabs the attention of your audience. It makes your reader want to know what happened to you. It also allows for you to share a lot of information about who you are in a short amount of space. 

An Example – How to Communicate Through Storytelling

For example, if a scholarship committee asks a question like, “do you think you’ll succeed in college?”, merely highlighting that you’re a good student who is organized may not be enough to distinguish you from the pack. Remember, it’s likely that other students will have good grades too, so it’s important to show what makes you unique.

Here’s how storytelling can help. Check out this introduction:

In 2023, my high school football team beat the odds. In the final quarter of the state championship, I gave my team a compelling motivational speech that was credited for inspiring an unlikely comeback. I told my teammates to look past the fact that we were losing and to keep the ultimate goal of winning in mind. It is this attitude of perseverance that I know will make me successful in college.

You can see in the introduction of this killer essay that the student makes you believe in them. Their story pulls you in and makes you root for their success. This is a great way to make your applications stand out.

Let’s consider other things that make you stand out when applying for scholarship awards. 

Know Your Audience: Write Your Scholarship Essay to Someone

Imagine that a scholarship is being given away to a college student who has demonstrated strong leadership skills. In your application, however, you note that you should be given the prize because you have a perfect GPA. Do you see a disconnect here?

It is important to know your audience, to understand what they are looking for, and to reflect this research in your scholarship application.

Consider this. Some scholarship providers will post members of their scholarship committee online. If so, you might want to see who these individuals are and maybe even take a look at any public social media profiles. This research may help you understand what they are passionate about and help you cater your application in a way that aligns with their interests.

Similarly, when you apply for scholarships, you should have a good sense of their mission or mandate. These are values that showcase why a scholarship opportunity is given away. Wherever possible, you should show the scholarship committee that your values mesh well with those stated in the scholarship’s mandate. If you pay attention to these details, it will definitely help you sell yourself for a scholarship prize.

Tell the Scholarship Committee Where You’re Going & How This College Scholarship Will Help You Get There

A lot of applications tend to focus on past activities. It’s understandable. If you’ve won an academic prize or founded your school’s first coding club, you’ll want to share these successes with those offering the scholarship.

However, most scholarships are not only investing in what you’ve done, they are investing in where you’re going. So, one important way to stand out in a scholarship application is to tell the scholarship committee where you’re going after you graduate college or university.

It may also help to share how much the scholarship money means to you or how you plan to use it. For example, if winning a scholarship prize will allow you to quit your part-time job and help your community through volunteer service, say so. This is a noble cause and will likely resonate well with a scholarship committee.

Be sure to use your judgement when outlining your plans for the scholarship money. Some prizes explicitly say that they want to help students graduate debt-free and not have to worry about college tuition, educational costs, and paying back private loans. If this is the case, you can outline that winning this scholarship will help you avoid financial aid and other college debt. On the other hand, if a scholarship prize exists for the purposes of promoting student volunteering or community service, it may be better to note that this is how you plan to use the scholarship money.

Grades and Letters of Recommendation

While it’s a myth that you need an A+ or perfect GPA to win a college scholarship, good grades always help. If it’s strong, your grade point average can be used to differentiate yourself from other scholarship candidates – especially in merit-based scholarship competitions.

Good grades communicate something positive about you; work ethic, good communication, organization, goal setting, ambition, etc. And, the best thing is that your grades communicate all of this without you having to say it. Most observers will look at stellar grades and know that it takes sacrifice to earn them.

This is a good thing, but not essential when applying for types of scholarships that are not solely based on grades.

Letters of recommendation also help your scholarship application stand out. While not all scholarship competitions will ask you for recommendation letters, those that do will place a lot of value in them.

Keep this in mind when asking for a letter of recommendation. In order for someone to write a supportive letter on your behalf, they have to know you, see the work you’re doing, and most importantly, believe in you. References who have only known you for a week or two can’t possibly speak about your stellar performance in academics or extracurricular activities as well as someone you’ve known for months or years. This is why it is important to build a rapport with potential references and ensure that they can write a strong letter of support. On this note, be sure to request letters of reference well before deadlines so that your referee isn’t too rushed. 

Be Courteous and Professional in Your Communications: Always Proofread!

At times, you’ll likely have to communicate with an individual from a scholarship provider. In these cases, you should conduct yourself with a courteous and professional demeanor, irrespective of whether your communication is to simply submit an application through e-mail or to ask a question about the prize.

Always use appropriate language (and double check grammar!), even in emails, and remember that you’re always being evaluated. For example:

Hey scholarship committee, i am sending u my app. Pls let me kno if i won the scholarship. Thx!

How does this sound to you? Is this what a serious contender for a $1,000 prize looks like? You can be the judge of that!

Additionally, be sure to thank the committee for taking the time to consider your application. In the event that a scholarship provider reaches out to you, respond in a timely manner. Your communications can certainly help you stand out as a young, ambitious, college student worthy of a scholarship prize.

Lastly, while it won’t help your chances of winning a scholarship, here’s some food for thought. If you do win an award, it’s good practice so send a sincere note of thanks. Sending a personal thank you shows a scholarship provider that they made the right choice by choosing you. Simply put, showing a little gratitude never hurts and can help you build a strong relationship with scholarship donors and/or scholarship committee members. 

Summary: 5 Ways to Make Your Scholarship Application Stand Out

Now that you’re ready to make your essay stand out in the scholarship process, it’s time to start applying! With the above lessons in mind, it’s a good idea to apply to as many scholarships as possible. 

Here’s a brief summary on how you can stand out in your scholarship applications:

1. Tell a great story in your scholarship essay – it should be personable and compelling to read
   
2. Know your audience and speak to the mission of the scholarship opportunity
   
3. Tell the scholarship committee where you’re going with your education and career and highlight the impact that winning the scholarship will have on your life
4. Ask for letters of recommendation early and ensure your references are very supportive of you
5. Always be courteous and professional in your communications and, where possible, thank the scholarship provider for their time

The post 5 Unique Ways to Make Your Scholarship Application Stand Out first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/5-unique-ways-to-make-your-scholarship-application-stand-out/

Scholarships: The Pros and Cons You Need to Know Right Now

As a hardworking college student, you deserve every opportunity to make your academic journey fulfilling. That’s why taking the time to research and apply for scholarships can be a wise investment in your education and future success. 

However, there are no guarantees when it comes to winning scholarship prizes.

So, let’s dive into the world of scholarships with the right mindset! To do this, you must know the advantages and disadvantages of scholarship applications.

While it may take some dedication and commitment to apply for scholarship funds, the benefits can be huge. Imagine receiving award letters and seeing your bank account grow – now that’s worth pursuing! But, as noted, there can be cons, too. 

By taking the time to understand both, you’ll be equipped with the knowledge to make the most of your applications.

Advantages of Scholarships: Limiting Student Loans and Boosting Your Career Prospects

          Pros of Scholarships: Students Don’t Pay Back Awards

The most obvious benefit of any scholarship program is the money. Winning a scholarship and decreasing your college costs is the fundamental reason why there are so many online scholarship lists, scholarship portals, and other scholarship resources available via colleges, universities, and scholarship providers. In short, the money matters!

The best part about a scholarship is that it doesn’t come with the pressure of repayment. Unlike personal loans, scholarship money is entirely yours and you won’t have to worry about repaying it – plus interest – later. How reassuring is that?

          Another Pro: Financial Assistance and Reduced Debt

Since you don’t have to pay scholarship money back, it’s a great way for students to pay for tuition and graduate with less student debt. This is an investment in yourself as a college student, but also in your future because you’ll take on less financial strain in the form of financial aid, personal loans, or credit card debt (which have to be paid back at some point).

Ultimately, scholarship programs help you pay for college expenses now so you don’t have to worry about the pressure of private loans, federal loans, or even parent loans later.

          A Big Pro: Scholarships Build Prestige & Help with Job Applications After College

Winning a college scholarship is not just about financial gain – it’s a chance to showcase your abilities and potential to the world. By winning a scholarship, you demonstrate your motivation, drive, and willingness to work hard to achieve your goals.

Winning a scholarship and demonstrating these qualities makes you a more competitive candidate for other scholarship committees, internships, and job opportunities in the future. So, take pride in your scholarship win and use it as a steppingstone toward bigger and better things! 

So, when should you apply to scholarships? Don’t hesitate to start now!

Disadvantages of Scholarships

          Cons of Scholarships: Applications Take Time

One of the disadvantages of applying for scholarships is that the process takes time. This is particularly true if you’ve never applied for a scholarship prize before. But, don’t let the time commitment discourage you from applying for scholarships. Like any skill, scholarship applications can be developed over time with persistence and practice. While it may take extra effort to craft an impressive initial application, remember that each subsequent application will likely be easier and faster to complete.

Plus, it’s important to note that the process to obtain other funds, like student loans and federal government grants, also require a significant time investment. So why not try for a scholarship and work on honing your scholarship application skills in the process? The more you apply, the greater your chances of success!

          A (Potential) Big Con: Developing a Strategy to Deal with Rejection

Another disadvantage of scholarships is that it can be a number’s game. It is exceptionally rare for students to win all the prizes they apply for. However, don’t let this deter you!

Think about grants and scholarships like a batting average in baseball. You may or may not know anything about the sport, but this is a great lesson. Professional baseball players only need to make it to base three times out of ten to have a hall of fame career. That means, they succeed less than fifty percent of the time. However, that’s considered exceptional!

You too can succeed with this model when it comes to scholarships. Just imagine applying for one scholarship per month and winning two or three every year. By the time you graduate, you could proudly say that you’ve won around ten scholarships – which is way above average!

Conclusion: Weighing the Pros and Cons of Scholarships for Your Future

As we weigh the pros and cons of scholarships, it’s easy to see that the positives greatly outweigh the negatives. This means that there’s no reason for you to hold back. Start your scholarship search today and take control of your financial future. With scholarships, you can significantly reduce the amount of student loans, financial aid, and credit card debt you’ll have after graduation. It’s time to seize your opportunities and make your dreams a reality.

However, scholarships can take time. And, if you’re a student pursuing extracurricular activities, attending classes full-time, and trying to keep your GPA up, this can feel like a ton of pressure. 

Remember though, the more you practice, the easier the process gets. Scholarships offer financial support that is a huge benefit to students – both in higher education and their career. Take advantage of the opportunity to transform your future! Financially and academically, scholarships make sense!

The post Scholarships: The Pros and Cons You Need to Know Right Now first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/scholarships-the-pros-and-cons-you-need-to-know-right-now/

10 Amazing December Scholarships to Apply for in 2023

Along with the stresses of exams and assignments, December brings a unique window of opportunity for high school and college students to win scholarships. The December holiday season is not only a time to relax, it can also be a time to win money for college!

The list of college scholarships below is designed to help you do just that. Each award was picked from our free scholarship finder. While the ten awards are great options, you should know that there are likely many more scholarships with December deadlines that college students like you may qualify for.

In fact, every month there are hundreds or thousands of college scholarships due. This likely means that the right scholarship is out there for you to win. There may even be several that you’re competitive for.

There’s a Scholarship for Every Student

And, here’s the great thing. It doesn’t matter if you have perfect grades or an outstanding extracurricular activities profile. While these things help, they’re not necessary for every scholarship.

The key is understanding how you match with various types of scholarships. From there, you can focus your attention on finding scholarship opportunities that match best with your profile. For example, there are merit scholarships based on GPA or SAT/ACT scores, need-based scholarships, career-specific scholarships, school-specific scholarships, student-specific scholarships, and more. As you may be able to tell, each of these scholarships focus on awarding different aspects of a student’s profile.

To get a sense of what a scholarship committee might be looking for, always read the mission and eligibility requirements of a scholarship. These two things alone will help you to position your scholarship application in a way that aligns with the mission of that scholarship.

So, now that you know what to look for when researching scholarships, let’s get to the prizes!

Select List of December Scholarships to Apply For in 2023

1. American Association of University Women – Selected Professions Fellowships

Deadline: December 1, 2023

Amount: $20,000

Who is this scholarship for? Applicants must: 

• Identify as a woman. 
• Demonstrate high standards of academic excellence and promise of distinction in chosen field. 
• Be a full-time student. 

From the Scholarship Donor: AAUW awards Selected Professions Fellowships to women, including people who identify as women, who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States and who have achieved high standards of academic excellence and show promise of distinction in their respective fields.

Women in two categories are eligible to apply: the Science and Technology Group and the Focus Professions Group.

2. Burger King Scholars Program

Deadline: December 15, 2023

Amount: Various prizes between $1,000 and $50,000

Who is this scholarship for? Applicants must be living in the United States, Canada or Puerto Rico. The prize is open to high school seniors. Those who have a cumulative high school grade point average of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, or the equivalent. Plan to enroll as a full-time student, without interruption, for the entire academic year at an accredited two- or four-year college, university or vocational-technical school in the U.S., Canada or Puerto Rico.

From the Scholarship Donor: The BURGER KING℠ Scholars program assists employees, employees’ spouses or domestic partners, employees’ children and high school seniors in the United States, Puerto Rico and Canada in continuing their education. To date, the program has awarded more than $53 million in scholarships to more than 46,000 students. Last year alone, $4.3 million in scholarships were awarded to nearly 4,000 deserving students.

3. Dell Scholars Program

Deadline: December 1, 2023

Amount: $20,000

Who is this scholarship for? This scholarship program is open to graduating high school students who demonstrate financial need. Students must be eligible for a federal Pell Grant. Additionally, applicants must plan to enroll full time at an accredited higher education institution in the pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in the fall directly following high school graduation. A minimum 2.4 GPA is also necessary.

From the Scholarship Donor: The Dell Scholars program was designed to provide a support system for the challenges many students face while pursuing a degree. Even so, we recognize that college costs can be a significant burden for many students and their families. Nationally, 500 Dell Scholars are selected each year to receive a scholarship plus lots of non-monetary supports.

4. 1st Financial Bank USA (1FBUSA) Financial Goals Scholarship

Deadline: December 31, 2023

Amount: $2,000

Who is this scholarship for? The scholarship is open to United States residents 18 or older who plan to enroll or are currently enrolled in an American university or college degree program.

From the Scholarship Donor: 1st Financial Bank USA (1FBUSA) is proud to announce the Financial Goals Scholarship program. 1st Financial Bank USA wants to celebrate and support those who recognize the importance of pursuing educational and financial goals. 1FBUSA will award a $2,000 scholarship to a new winner each month through the end of 2023.

5. Lynn G. Bellenger Scholarship

Deadline: December 1, 2023

Amount: $5,000

Who is this scholarship for? Scholarship for women in engineering, currently enrolled in an accredited program by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET)

From the Scholarship Donor: The Lynn G. Bellenger Scholarship is available to female undergraduate students who are enrolled in an ABET-accredited program leading to a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Engineering Science degree. Your course of study must be related to heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required and/or a class standing of no less than the top 30 percent.

6. Pioneers of Flight Scholarship

Deadline: December 29, 2023

Amount: $1,000

Who is this scholarship for? College students in their sophomore or junior year who are enrolled in a full-time aviation degree program at an accredited four-year college or university.

From the Scholarship Donor: The National Air Transportation Foundation (NATF) established the Pioneers of Flight Scholarship Program in 1989 to offer financial assistance and encouragement to young people in the pursuit of academic excellence. By making scholarships available, NATF’s ultimate goal is to foster and promote careers in the general aviation industry.

7. Driven Coffee 2023 Scholarship

Deadline: December 31, 2023

Amount: $100 to $500

Who is this scholarship for? Open to current college students (college, university, community college, trade school, two-year or four-year program, etc.). Applicants must provide proof of enrollment by means of a transcript, declaration of major, letter of intent to enroll, etc., along with an essay as outlined below, and must attend a school located in the United States or Canada.

From the Scholarship Donor: Here at Driven Coffee, we believe in supporting both our local community and those around the world. That is why we donate 5% of all web sales to our partner causes. We are driven to make the world a better place by empowering coffee farmers with fair pricing through stable, long-term partnerships.

8. Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program

Deadline: December 22, 2023

Amount: Varies following needs assessment

Who is this scholarship for? Scholarship is open to students currently enrolled in graduate school in oceanography, marine biology, or maritime archaeology. Extra points are awarded to students who demonstrate financial need. Women and minority groups are particularly encouraged to apply.

From the Scholarship Donor: The Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program provides support for graduate students (master’s and doctoral degrees) in oceanography, marine biology, maritime archaeology—these may include but are not limited to ocean and/or coastal: engineering, social science, marine education, marine stewardship, cultural anthropology, and resource management disciplines—and particularly encourages women and members of minority groups to apply.

9. The Science Ambassador Scholarship

Deadline: December 2023

Amount: Full-tuition scholarship. Runners-up prizes from $1,000 to $5,000

Who is this scholarship for? This scholarship is open to graduating high school seniors and current undergraduate students who identify as women. Also, the award is for students attending a STEM program (science, technology, engineering, math).

From the Scholarship Donor: Our goal is to highlight outstanding women in science, technology, engineering, and math. To date, we’ve funded eight full–tuition scholarships and created a community of mentors and students who work in STEM fields. Scholarship funds are provided by sales of Cards Against Humanity’s Science Pack and Climate Catastrophe Pack.

10. Gorilla Webtactics Entrepreneurial Law Student Scholarship

Deadline: December 31, 2023

Amount: $2,500

Who is this scholarship for? This is a scholarship for students in a law-related degree program. Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, enrolled full-time, and have a minimum 3.0 GPA. Additionally, this scholarship aims to help students planning on opening their own firm after graduation.

From the Scholarship Donor: Gorilla Webtactics is excited to offer a $2,500 scholarship to support law students who are ambitious about opening their own law firm after graduation. This scholarship is designed to provide financial assistance and help future legal professionals overcome any challenges they may face during their studies.

Find More College Scholarships and Win in 2023!

The list of scholarships above is just a start. You should know that there are many more scholarship awards for high school and undergraduate students. The right scholarship fit is definitely out there for you. So, keep going and reap the financial and career benefits of winning scholarship money!

With a holiday break occurring in December, it’s a good time to apply for scholarships. With the right application strategies, you can end 2023 with a scholarship win. Good luck!

Other Relevant Topics:

• May 2023 Scholarships
• June 2023 Scholarships
• July 2023 Scholarships
• August 2023 Scholarships
• September 2023 Scholarships
• October 2023 Scholarships
• November 2023 Scholarships

The post 10 Amazing December Scholarships to Apply for in 2023 first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/10-amazing-december-scholarships-to-apply-for-in-2023/

10 Awesome Scholarship Picks: Deadline November 2023

November is a great month to apply for college scholarships. It’s a month with tons of available awards, which means that there’s a scholarship for every type of college student. 

While some scholarship applications are centered on academic merit, others are related to financial need, college major, the school you attend, aspects of your personal identity, and so much more. 

With that said, if you’re looking for ways to pay for college, understanding different types of scholarships can help position you to succeed on applications. That’s because scholarship committees look for different qualities in students from scholarship to scholarship. As mentioned above, some committees may look for great grades. Others may look for evidence of perseverance. The better you understand any particular prize, the better your application can be. 

It’s also the case that understanding types of scholarships can help you with your research of awards. When you spend time looking for scholarships that you’re most competitive for, it’s likely to increase your chances of winning. Just think, if you find scholarships that reflect your unique student profile (based on your major or your school, for example), that typically decreases the amount of other students who meet the eligibility requirements. This translates into less competition. 

Ultimately, research matters. So, let us help you with that.

Below, you’ll find a list of ten scholarships with November 2023 deadlines. These college scholarships were randomly selected from our free scholarship finder. Check it out to connect with more scholarship opportunities. 

Let’s get to the prizes!

Select List of Scholarships with November Deadlines

1. Orangesoft Women in Technology Scholarship Program 2023

Deadline: November 15, 2023

Prize Value: $500

Who is this prize for? Scholarship for women in STEM. Applicants must have a minimum 3.0 GPA.

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: Orangesoft offers a scholarship dedicated to female college or university students pursuing STEM, or other technology-related studies and careers. As an Orangesoft Scholar, you will receive new financial opportunities and a chance to participate in the IT industry development.

2. Atlas Shrugged Essay Contest

Deadline: November 6, 2023

Prize Value: Several awards up to $10,000

Who is this prize for? This contest is open to all high school, college, and graduate students worldwide.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: Improve your ability to write and think effectively. This contest will require you to reflect on philosophic themes, form your own opinion, and argue a thesis with evidence and clarity. Test yourself against talented students from around the world and the high grading standards of our faculty. On average, only the top 5–10% of essays are awarded prizes each year. Win cash prizes among five placement categories. This is an excellent way to earn money for college and higher education. We place no restrictions on how the money is spent by recipients.

3. American Indian Services College Scholarships

Deadline: November 1, 2023

Prize Value: Varies based on student profile

Who is this prize for? Students qualify if they are an enrolled member of a U.S. Federally Recognized American Indian or Alaska Native Tribe, or descendant of a base roll member.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: The AIS Scholarship program is to help undergraduate Native American students with financial support to attend college, maintain enrollment, and graduate. Scholarship Awards are based on up to one-half of tuition and need for the term the student is applying for and are allocated directly to the school for the student. 

4. ServiceScape Scholarship 2023

Deadline: November 30, 2023

Prize Value: $1,000

Who is this prize for? Scholarship is open to students who are attending or who will attend an accredited college, university, or trade school in 2023.

From the Scholarship Provider: Are you enrolled or about to enroll in a college, university, or trade school? Are you looking for a little extra help in funding your education to cover expenses that other scholarships and financial aid don’t cover? To apply for the ServiceScape Scholarship, all scholarship applicants should fill out the application form and submit a 300 word essay on this topic. The chosen topic is as follows: How does writing impact today’s world? Think about it, write about it, and let us know your thoughts.

5. Seth Okin Good Deeds Scholarship

Deadline: November 30, 2023

Prize Value: $1,000

Who is this prize for? Scholarship for any student pursuing post-secondary education (community college, undergraduate or graduate degree programs, law school, or business school). Applicants must be interested and engaged in serving their community and must have a GPA of 3.0 or greater to apply.

From the Scholarship Provider: Attorney Seth Okin is proud to contribute to the national discussion on community service by renewing the Seth Okin Good Deeds Scholarship. The winner will be awarded a $1000 scholarship that will enable them to pursue their educational goals with the ultimate purpose of creating a meaningful life of service to others.

6. Soroptimist’s Live Your Dream Awards

Deadline: November 15, 2023

Prize Value: Up to $16,000

Who is this scholarship for? This scholarships helps female students who are the primary financial support for themselves and their families. It helps women with financial need earn a college education.

From the Scholarship Donor: Soroptimist’s Live Your Dream Awards program is a unique education award for women who provide the primary financial support for their families. The Live Your Dream Awards give women the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects. Live Your Dream Awards recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, childcare, tuition and transportation. 

7. OHM Advisors Diversity Scholarship

Deadline: November 30, 2023

Prize Value: $1,000

Who is this scholarship for? This is a scholarship for women or minority students as defined by the Equal Employment Opportunity Program (African American, Hispanic, Native American, Asian or Pacific Islander, Multi-racial). It is open to high school seniors up to college juniors. Student must be enrolled, or plan to enroll, in a U.S. STEM program.

From the Scholarship Donor: Established in 2018, our Diversity Scholarship Program is open to qualified women and minority students who are currently enrolled or planning to enroll in a STEM program or other related field of practice at OHM Advisors.

8. JCCIA Frank J. Vigilante Scholarship

Deadline: November 1, 2023

Prize Value: Up to $5,000

Who is this scholarship for? This scholarship is awarded to students of Italian ancestry demonstrating financial need and academic achievement. Only Illinois residents may apply for this scholarship.

From the Scholarship Donor: The Joint Civic Committee of Italian Americans (JCCIA) is proud to offer – from the Frank J. Vigilante Scholarship Fund – scholarships that are awarded to students of Italian extraction demonstrating financial need and high academic achievement.

9. Lagman Foundation Second Chance College Scholarship Program

Deadline: November 30, 2023

Prize Value: Between $500 and $1,500

Who is this scholarship for? This is a scholarship for high school seniors who have overcome adversity. Student must show community involvement and leadership. Applicant must plan to attend a college, university, vocational school, or continuing education program post-graduation.

From the Scholarship Donor: The Lagman Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization established for the purpose of granting scholarships to a new generation of diversely talented high school students who have overcome adversity, given back to their communities, and demonstrated a commitment to turning their life around through an interest in academic or creative pursuits. The Foundation identifies and rewards young people who have experienced hardship, and then demonstrated resilience in changing course. The Second Chances Fund looks to provide them assistance in continuing on their road to becoming future leaders in adulthood. Their stories give us hope and are a reminder to never give up on any child or youth.

10. Modeling the Future Challenge

Deadline: November 2023

Prize Value: Various prizes

Who is this scholarship for? This is a scholarship opportunity for high school students interested in math modeling.

From the Scholarship Donor: The Modeling the Future Challenge is a real-world competition for high school students combining math modeling, data analysis, and risk management into one exciting challenge! To compete, students conduct their own research project modeling real-world data to analyze risks and make recommendations to companies, industry groups, governments, or organizations. Join the challenge to put your critical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and analytical skills to the test!

Find More November Scholarships and Win in 2023!

For any student attending college or university, autumn is a great time to apply for scholarships. For graduating high school students, the fall season also has lots of scholarships to apply for.

Put simply, whether you’re studying at a two- or four-year college, pursuing an undergraduate degree, currently in graduate school, or you’re a graduating high school senior, you should be encouraged to apply for scholarships. 

Of course, applying for scholarships starts with finding the right awards. In addition to the options above, there are tons of other scholarships available. So, keep going and get applications in! 

There’s a scholarship for every type of student out there, so don’t let the right college scholarship pass you by. 

The post 10 Awesome Scholarship Picks: Deadline November 2023 first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/10-awesome-scholarship-picks-deadline-november-2023/

10 Awesome Scholarship Picks: Deadline October 2023

If you search online for images related to the term “October”, you’re sure to get many Halloween themed hits. Pumpkins, spiders, ghouls, and goblins are just seem of the things that seem to have an affinity with October. 

However, for us, there’s nothing spookier than tuition bills, mandatory fees, and all the other costs of college that add up for students. Education expenses can definitely be scary. But, higher education shouldn’t be so difficult to access. 

It’s our mission to help ease the financial burden of college for students and families. 

That’s why, we’re outlining a select list of ten college scholarships with October deadlines. Whether you’re a high school senior or a current college student, the scholarship opportunities below are designed to help students like you pay for college. 

In the list, you’ll also find information related to deadlines, eligibility requirements, scholarship amounts, links to relevant websites, and a few words from each scholarship donor. This is designed to help you determine if learning more about the scholarship is worth your time. It should also give you a glimpse into the type of scholarship you’re looking at and what a scholarship committee may be looking for when giving out the award. 

So, let’s get to some prizes!

A Select List of October Scholarships

1. Coca-Cola Scholars Program for High School Seniors

Deadline: October 2, 2022

Prize Value: 150 Scholarships will be awarded at $20,000 each

Who is this prize for? Open to high school seniors or home-schooled students graduating in the 2023-2024 academic year. Open to high school students planning to attend an accredited college or university.

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is an achievement-based scholarship awarded to students in their final year of high school. Students are recognized for their capacity to lead and serve, as well as their commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.

2. Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Disability Scholarship Program

Deadline: October 1, 2023

Prize Value: $1,000

Who is this prize for? This college scholarship program is for for disabled students. Recipient must have attended college for at least one semester and be a United States citizen.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: The Buckfire Law Scholarship Committee is currently accepting applications for the 2023 Buckfire & Buckfire, P.C. Disability Scholarship. The Disability Scholarship was established in 2014 as part of the law firm’s commitment to helping students with disabilities or injuries who are in need of financial assistance for educational purposes. The scholarship is available to students of any age, with any type of disability, including but not limited to physical disabilities, medical conditions, mental or psychiatric conditions, speech and language, learning disabilities, behavioral conditions, and all other conditions.

3. VFW Voice of Democracy Scholarship for High School Students

Deadline: October 31, 2023

Prize Value: Various prizes ranging from $1,000 to $35,000

Who is this prize for? This scholarship is open to students in grades 9 to 12.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: Established in 1947, our Voice of Democracy audio-essay program provides high school students with the unique opportunity to express themselves in regards to a democratic and patriotic-themed recorded essay.  Each year, nearly 25,000 ninth through 12th grade students from across the country enter to win their share of more than $1.3 million in educational scholarships and incentives awarded through the program.

4. Stantec Equity & Diversity Scholarship

Deadline: October 1, 2023

Prize Value: Various prizes between $1,500 and $10,000. Plus, 10 paid internships

Who is this prize for? This is a scholarship for BIPOC students in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math)

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: We recognize the value and advantages of diverse ideas within our communities. We are committed to providing a platform to support the next generation of leaders and champions in our industry, and we are focused on growing diversity within the science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEAM) fields. The Stantec Equity & Diversity Scholarship will contribute to the creation of a critical mass of talented students that will fully represent our industry—it will provide an environment in which all can thrive academically and professionally. 

5. AES Scholarships for 2023

Deadline: October 8, 2023

Prize Value: $500

Who is this prize for? This annual scholarship is available to all students attending a post-secondary institution. This includes current high school students who will be college freshman in the upcoming academic year.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: Our belief is that achieving a high grade point average should not be the only criteria for determining who deserves to be helped. For that reason we are offering a scholarship that will be awarded on the basis of character, as determined by an evaluation of the essays that are submitted. Scholarships are intended for our future leaders across a wide spectrum of fields of study. This award is available to high school seniors and all students attending a post secondary educational facility. You are not required to be taking Engineering courses to be eligible.

6. American Trucks’ Student Scholarship Program

Deadline: October 15, 2023

Prize Value: Two awards of $2,500 each

Who is this prize for? Eligible students must be currently enrolled in full-time studies in a two- or four-year college or university program. This award is open to students pursuing a traditional building trade. Additionally, students attending high school may apply for this scholarship if attending an accredited school in the upcoming academic year.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: At AmericanTrucks we are passionate about our mission to Serve the Community that supports us. We’ve recognized a growing trend in the building trades industry. Educational programs are receiving a lot of attention from national leaders and it’s our goal to be involved in a meaningful way. With that in mind, we are pleased to offer 2 x $2500 scholarships to students pursuing a career in the traditional building trades such as HVAC, carpentry, electrical, or related fields of study.

7. CouponBirds “Help to Save” Scholarship

Deadline: October 10, 2023

Prize Value: Three prizes at $500, $1,000, and $1,500

Who is this prize for? This is a scholarship for high school seniors and current college students in the United States and Canada. Students must attend an accredited university or college in the upcoming academic year.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: CouponBirds has launched the “Help to Save” scholarship for high school and college students who need help with their tuition fees. Firstly, this program requires the participants to upload a 2-3 minute video. Secondly, participants are required to post on Twitter or Facebook with information related to saving money with CouponBirds SmartCoupon Extension. Individuals with the best idea and response will be selected to give a presentation at our site. Last but not least, the person with the most creative idea will win the grand prize.

8. Broadcast Education Association College Scholarships

Deadline: October 13, 2023

Prize Value: Various amounts from $1,000 to $4,000

Who is this prize for? Several college scholarships are available for two- and four-year programs in electronic media, radio/audio media, and broadcast history.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: The Broadcast Education Association (BEA) is the premier international academic media organization, promoting insights, excellence in media production, and career advancement for educators, students, and professionals.  BEA administers scholarships annually, to honor broadcasters and the entire electronic media profession.  The BEA Founders Awards are for students enrolled in a BEA 2-Year member institution or graduates of these programs now enrolled in a BEA 4-Year institution.  Other scholarships are awarded to juniors, seniors and/or graduate students at BEA member institutions.

9. Money Metals Exchange Scholarship Program

Deadline: October 31, 2023

Prize Value: There are two undergraduate student and two graduate student prizes ($1,000 and $2,000)

Who is this prize for? This scholarship is open to all students who will be enrolled in a college or university program in 2023. Applicants must submit an essay answering one of a selection of scholarship essay prompts.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: Money Metals Exchange, a national precious metals dealer recently ranked “Best in the USA,” has teamed up with the Sound Money Defense League to help qualified students pay for the ever-rising costs of tuition, fees, books, and supplies. These groups have just introduced the first gold-backed scholarship of the modern era, setting aside 100 oz of physical gold for scholarships to outstanding undergraduate and graduate students who display deep understanding of economics and monetary policy.

10. Steel Intern Scholarships

Deadline: October 2, 2023

Prize Value: Paid summer internship followed by a scholarship of $7,500

Who is this prize for? Students majoring in engineering, engineering technology, computer science, data science, safety or industrial hygiene programs. Applications are accepted from undergraduate students planning to attend graduate school.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: Each year, the AIST Foundation awards up to US$900,000 for scholarship and program grants to ensure the iron and steel industry of tomorrow will have a sufficient number of qualified professionals. By supporting the education of our next generation, we are building a long-term workforce that is well trained, skilled and dedicated to the needs of tomorrow’s steel industry.

Wait! There are Many More College Scholarships to Apply for in 2023

One of the best ways to position yourself for scholarship success is to apply early and often. Some scholarship contests are more competitive than others. So, it’s unlikely that every scholarship application you submit will win.

While that’s perfectly normal, you should consider some rough math. The equation is simple: the more scholarships you apply for, the better your chances of winning. You may even be able to win more than one. 

To connect with more scholarship opportunities, you can use our free scholarship finder. It’s a scholarship database with thousands of scholarships for high school and college students. 

So, don’t wait another moment. October is a great time to apply for scholarships. Winning money for college can help you graduate with less debt. Additionally, winning scholarships communicates excellence, which can help open new opportunities for your future career. 

Applying for scholarships just makes sense. It may make you money, too!

The post 10 Awesome Scholarship Picks: Deadline October 2023 first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/10-awesome-scholarship-picks-deadline-october-2023/

Top 10 List of September Scholarships for 2023 … and More!

September. Back to school for the start of another academic year. It’s go time! 

Along with the start of classes comes another important part of the college experience; paying for it! Tuition, books, and fees really add up at this time of year. But, the cost of college can be manageable. Especially with the help of scholarships. 

For that reason, we’re offering a select list of ten scholarships with deadlines in September. Below, you’ll find links and a few details of some hot September scholarship picks. 

Of course, it’s important to always read eligibility criteria of any scholarship opportunity. That’s because various types of scholarships are given away for different reasons. 

There are merit scholarships, based on GPA and extracurricular achievement. Need-based scholarships based on financial need. Student-specific scholarships for African-American students, Hispanic students, military veterans, women in STEM, and much more. There are also career-specific scholarships and school-specific scholarships. 

So, the important thing to note here is that the list of scholarships that you qualify for can be quite long, but it depends on your specific profile and qualities. 

Now, with that said, let’s get to some prizes to help you win money for college. 

A Select List of September 2023 Scholarships

1. Trophy Central Scholarship

Due Date: September 1, 2023

Prize Value: $1,000

Who is this prize for? This scholarship is open to graduating high school students with a 3.25 GPA in their junior year. Applicants must have demonstrated a unique form of sportsmanship, kindness, or compassion.

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: TrophyCentral is thrilled to be able to offer a qualifying high school senior a $1,000 scholarship award to be applied to their first year’s tuition to a college or university.

2. Weiss & Paarz Rising Star Scholarship 2023

Due Date: September 30, 2023

Prize Value: $1,000

Who is this prize for? Scholarship for financial need (need-based), leadership, adversity, and commitment to community. Also, this award is open to high school and college students who will be enrolled at a college or university in September 2023.

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: Scholarships will be awarded each year to a student who demonstrates all of the following characteristics: Financial need; Exceptional work ethic; Strength in the face of adversity; Outstanding academic achievement; Commitment to the local community and charitable giving; Ability to lead others; Overall moral character. Special consideration will be given to students who have an interest in law.

3. SETI Forward Award – Scholarship for College Students

Due Date: September 1, 2023

Prize Value: $1,500

Who is this prize for? Scholarships for astrobiology and/or SETI.

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: This award was established in 2018 to support undergraduate students interested in careers in SETI and astrobiology. Each year, dozens of students intern with SETI and astrobiology scientists, but most pivot to other fields, resulting in fewer talented researchers focused on the search for life beyond Earth. SETI Forward aims to bridge the gap between these internships and jobs in SETI and astrobiology research by providing $1500 per award.

4. Beldon College Scholarship

Due Date: September 1, 2023

Prize Value: Two prizes of $1,000

Who is this prize for? Scholarship for business, management, communications, marketing, or related field. Open to students with a minimum 3.5 GPA.

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: We are proud to provide an annual scholarship to students who are determined to achieve a higher education, by alleviating their financial burdens. Every year, we will select two winners to award a $1,000 scholarship, each! Our scholarship panel will review all applications and hand-pick the most qualified candidates. We want you to tell us what it takes to be an aspiring business leader in this industry today.

5. Law Office of Philip W. Moore, Jr. Leadership Excellence Scholarship

Due Date: September 19, 2023

Prize Value: $1,000

Who is this prize for? Scholarship for leadership. Open to undergraduate students currently enrolled in an accredited college or university in the United States. Applicants must be involved in university’s Greek life or honors program. Student must have a 3.0 GPA or higher.

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: Whether you have always had natural leadership skills or have learned to develop those skills over time, your role as a leader has likely had a significant impact on your life and those around you. Being a leader has prepared you for the challenges ahead and equipped you with many of the skills needed to succeed after college.

Attorney Philip Moore has instilled the principles of hard work, honesty, and integrity into his legal practice, and he hopes to provide financial assistance to those who share these important values through the Law Office of Philip W. Moore, Jr. Leadership Excellence Scholarship. 

6. Creative Biolabs Scholarship for September 2023

Due Date: September 30, 2023

Prize Value: $1,000

Who is this prize for? Scholarship for biology, biochemistry, chemistry, and/or molecular biology. Open to undergraduate and graduate students at any accredited college or university. Additionally, this award is open to all students enrolled at an accredited college or university and does not require U.S. citizenship.

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: As a leading custom service provider specialized in the field of antibody production and engineering, Creative Biolabs is always happy to support young and ambitious talents in our field. With an effort to further support their research and higher education in the medical and science-related fields, Creative Biolabs is proud to announce the Scholarship Program for awarding $1,000 to an outstanding college student.

7. The Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship

Due Date: September 23, 2023

Prize Value: $15,000 (awarded $5,000 annually for 3 years)

Who is this prize for? Scholarship for Hispanic community service. Students must be enrolled in medicine (allopathic or osteopathic), dentistry, pharmacy, nursing, master of public health or health policy, and/or physician associate programs.

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: In 2004, NHHF established the Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship program and its first Gala in New York City for medical, nursing, dental, pharmacy, public health, and health policy students with outstanding academic records, leadership, and who are committed to serving Hispanics.

8. Don’t Text and Drive Scholarship

Prize Value: $1,000

Due Date: September 30, 2023

Who is this prize for? This scholarship is open to high school, college, and graduate school students of all years. Must be a U.S. citizen to apply.

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: Do you know how far you will drive on the freeway if you take your eyes off the road for five seconds, the average time it takes to send a text? An entire football field. According to the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute, texting while driving makes drivers 23 times more likely to get into a “safety-critical event.” The purpose of this scholarship is to help you understand the risks of texting while driving.

9. Samuel Robinson Scholarship

Due Date: September 1, 2023

Prize Value: From $2,000 to $4,000

Who is this prize for? Scholarship for Christian students.

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: The Samuel Robinson Award is offered to college juniors and seniors attending a Presbyterian-related college or university. Students must recite from memory, the responses to the 107 questions in the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Students have up to 18 months from the start of the recitation to complete the recitation.

10. Gates Millenium Scholarship

Due Date: September 15, 2023

Prize Value: Amount varies

Who is this prize for? Scholarship for minority high school seniors from low-income households with an outstanding academic record and leadership skills. Applicants must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Students must also be eligible for the Pell Grant. 

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: The Samuel Robinson Award is offered to college juniors and seniors attending a Presbyterian-related college or university. Students must recite from memory, the responses to the 107 questions in the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Students have up to 18 months from the start of the recitation to complete the recitation.

Scholarships with September Deadlines: Scholarships to Apply for Today!

Whether you’re a high school senior or a current college student trying to pay for college, there are many scholarships to apply for in September.

As you can see from the list above, there are many kinds of scholarships for different students. It doesn’t matter if you have perfect grades or what school you’re enrolled in. The bottom line is that thousands of awards are out there for students just like you.

September could absolutely be your month. So, it’s time to start applying for scholarships! Don’t let the right opportunity just float on by!

The post Top 10 List of September Scholarships for 2023 … and More! first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/top-10-list-of-september-scholarships-for-2023-and-more/

10 Scholarships with August 2023 Deadlines … and More!

Yes, it may be summer, but the start of the academic year is close. 

Along with all of the excitement that comes with the start of classes comes the stress of paying for school. Tuition, books, fees – it seems like the bills never end. 

Indeed, the cost of college isn’t cheap. However, there are ways to help you pay for education costs. After all, your mind should be focused on your future and learning skills to make it brighter. Scholarships can help with that. 

Finding the right scholarships that meet your profile is the first part of the equation. To help you with this, we offer a list of ten August scholarships below. The scholarship opportunities were pulled from the free BridgesEDU Scholarship Finder. There are many more August 2023 scholarships there, but you can also find prizes with deadlines in June, July, and every other month. That’s because we have a huge database of scholarship opportunities to choose from. 

Also, if you’re looking for scholarships, you may also want to know something that’s even more important: how to win them! Of course, finding scholarships is not the same as winning scholarships. 

Applying for Scholarships vs. Winning Scholarships 

Submitting scholarship applications that win requires planning. And, planning is more than just staying organized with a spreadsheet and having an awareness of deadlines. If you want to win a scholarship, you must know what scholarship committees look for. Then, you have to know how to deliver your message in a convincing way; often in 500 words or less. 

In short, finding scholarships in only part of the journey. Knowing the secrets to winning scholarships is another. This second part is a strategy that can turn your scholarship application from a slim chance to as strong possibility. This means a better chance at winning money for college. 

So, since you’re looking for scholarships to apply for, let’s get to a list of prizes with deadlines in August. Whether you’re a high school senior or an undergraduate student, these college scholarship contests could be right for you!

August Scholarships to Apply for in 2023

1. CoPilot 2023 No-Essay Scholarship for College Students

Due Date: August 15, 2023

Prize Value: $4,500

Who is this prize for? This is a scholarship for high school seniors and current college students. Applicants must be a resident of the United States.

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: CoPilot is proud to sponsor a $4,500.00 USD scholarship this year. CoPilot is an expert assisted car shopping experience – to serve as your personal expert for all things related to your car. 

2. BioMatrix Scholarships for the Bleeding Disorders Community

Due Date: August 1, 2023

Prize Value: Six prizes at $1,000 each

Who is this prize for? Scholarships for bleeding disorders, scholarships for health condition. Open to students accepted to an accredited college, university, or technical school.

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: BioMatrix offers six (6) $1,000 scholarships assisting individuals in the bleeding disorders community seeking higher education. Each opportunity is offered exclusively to several demographics within the bleeding disorder community including women, men, inhibitor patients and immediate family members.

3. The Law Office of Jerry D. Andrews, P.C. – Community Impact Scholarship

Due Date: August 22, 2023

Prize Value: Two scholarships at $2,500 each

Who is this prize for? Scholarships for community service. Students who have demonstrated community leadership. Open to undergraduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher.

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: The Law Firm of Jerry D. Andrews, P.C., a Dallas legal practice, has been providing knowledgeable and compassionate legal representation to victims of personal injury and wrongful death for 30 years.

Attorney Andrews’ experience as a personal injury lawyer has granted him a unique perspective on the importance of community. We need our communities today more than ever, and Attorney Andrews is taking this opportunity to recognize students who have sacrificed their time and energy to give back to their communities through acts of service.

4. Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program

Due Date: August 29, 2023

Prize Value: Various Awards

Who is this prize for? Scholarships for STEM. Scholarships for teachers. Scholarships by major (science, technology, engineering, mathematics).

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: The National Science Foundation Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship Program (Noyce)invites innovative proposals that address the critical need for recruiting, preparing, and retaining highly effective elementary and secondary mathematics and science teachers and teacher leaders in high-need school districts. To achieve this goal, Noyce supports talented science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) undergraduate majors and professionals to become effective K-12 STEM teachers. It also supports experienced, exemplary K-12 STEM teachers to become teacher leaders in high-need school districts. In addition, Noyce supports research on the effectiveness and retention of K-12 STEM teachers in high-need school districts.

5. Castagra Roofing August Scholarship Program

Due Date: August 25, 2023

Prize Value: $1,000

Who is this prize for? Scholarship for students majoring in construction, waterproofing, and building. Open to students pursuing post-secondary education in the United States or Canada.

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: The Castagra Roofing Scholarship Program is now open for applications! This program was developed to support individuals pursuing a career in roofing (or a similar field), who are passionate about innovation and/or sustainability.

6. The Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Scholarship and the Horror Writers Association 2023 Scholarship

Due Date: August 1, 2023

Prize Value: Two scholarship awards at $2,500 each

Who is this prize for? Scholarship for students in horror genre. The Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Scholarship is available for those members who identify as women and the Horror Writers Association Scholarship is available for any member, regardless of gender.

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: The Horror Writers Association (HWA) is pleased to offer a variety of scholarships to assist writers looking to pursue a career as a writer of horror fiction, nonfiction, or poetry. We also offer one endowment to libraries to expand their young adult reading programs.

7. The Platta Law Firm Students with Disabilities Scholarship

Due Date: August 4, 2023

Prize Value: $5,000

Who is this prize for? This scholarship is for high-achieving students with a disability. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited college or university program in the United States. The scholarship is open to high school students attending college in the upcoming academic year.

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: Growing up with a disability comes with ample challenges that can beset one’s dreams of attaining a higher education. The Platta Law Firm represents everyday workers that develop disabilities as a result of unfortunate accidents. A disability can take away a worker’s faculty to provide for their family, let alone pay for their child’s college tuition. That is why we are awarding a $5,000 scholarship to make someone’s journey through school a little easier.

8. Arc of Washington Research Grants

Due Date: August 3, 2023

Prize Value: $25,000

Who is this prize for? Grant for investigators at all career stages. Grant for research to benefit individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: The Arc of Washington Trust Fund was established in 1950 to provide funds for research into intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

In keeping with our Vision, the Arc of Washington Trust Fund invests in the careers of students interested in working with, and benefiting the lives of, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (Student Stipends).

We also support interdisciplinary training programs for graduate and professional level practitioners who will be providing services and advocacy for the I/DD community (Program Grants). And we continue to support early research focused on identifying issues affecting the I/DD community and projects to benefit that community (Research Grants).

9. Richmond Defense Group – Strong Roots Scholarship

Due Date: August 31, 2023

Prize Value: $500

Who is this prize for? This scholarship is open high school seniors and college or university students enrolled in an accredited post-secondary institution. Eligible programs include: community colleges, private or public undergraduate colleges, and universities, private or public graduate degree programs, law programs, and business programs. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and demonstrate an interest in community building.

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: As day-to-day life becomes increasingly digital and experiences become increasingly “remote,” discussion about what it takes to build healthy communities becomes more and more important. We are proud to sponsor the Strong Roots Scholarship and Essay Contest as a way to promote discussion about the meaning of community in the digital age and as a way to sponsor educational opportunities for individuals who are dedicated to building strong communities where passions and careers can take root. 

This essay contest and the associated $500 scholarship is open to individuals throughout the country who are enrolled in any accredited post-secondary institution during the 2022 – 2023 school year.

10. Massage Envy Scholarship Sweepstakes (A Collection of Awards with Final Deadline in August)

Due Date: August 31, 2023

Prize Value: 96 prizes at $2,500 each

Who is this prize for? Scholarship for massage therapy school.

From the Scholarship Donor’s Website: Congratulations on adventuring into a career in massage therapy! As the nation’s leading provider of massages across its franchise network of approximately 1,100 independently owned and operated franchised locations, the Massage Envy brand is deeply committed to the growth and support of future massage therapists.

The Massage Envy National Scholarship Sweepstakes for Massage Therapists will provide 96 winners with $2,500 each to help fund their education in massage therapy school over 12 drawings.

College Scholarships for Students: August is a Great Time to Apply!

Now that you’ve had a chance to review ten scholarships with deadlines in August, it’s time to start applying! 

Remember to mark your list of scholarships on your calendar and keep track of relevant due dates.

It’s also a good idea to get started early. Each scholarship application process is different and you may be asked for materials that take time to put together (like reference letters, for example).

College scholarships will help you graduate with fewer student loans, but will also help build the strength of your profile for future opportunities. So, don’t wait! Help pay for the cost of college by applying for scholarships now!

The post 10 Scholarships with August 2023 Deadlines … and More! first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/10-scholarships-with-august-2023-deadlines-and-more/

July Scholarship Picks – Less Debt, More Opportunity in 2023

Paying for college isn’t easy. But, if you’re looking for some help for education expenses, we have good news. We have a MASSIVE scholarship database of college scholarships for you. 

To make finding financial aid easier, we’ve included a list of ten prizes below. These picks come from our free scholarship finder. It’s updated regularly with new scholarships, so check in regularly to find new scholarship opportunities. 

We have tons of scholarships by major, scholarships by state, scholarships for women, scholarships for minority students, merit scholarships, need based scholarships, and much more. Be sure to understand how your profile matches with different types of scholarships so you know which awards you’re most competitive for. Also, always ensure you read eligibility requirements closely! 

It can be frustrating to invest time into an application only to realize you’re ineligible. 

Additionally, winning scholarships requires the creation of great scholarship applications. The BridgesEDU Toolkit provides numerous articles to help you win scholarships, and the best part is, they’re completely free. Take a look at these options:

•  What are the pros and cons of scholarships?
• How to address scholarship application weaknesses?
• How much time does it take to apply for scholarships?
• How do I answer “Why do you deserve this scholarship?”

Now, let’s get to the prizes with July deadlines!

July Scholarships to Apply for in 2023

1. MFMA Scholarship

Due Date: July 14, 2023

Prize Amount: $1,000

Who is this prize for? Scholarships for students in the following fields of study: Architecture, Forest Management, Forest Products Technology, Forest Science, Forestry Studies, Wood Science & Engineering, Wood Science & Technology, other fields related to wood technology, or studying a trade that translates to the wood flooring industry.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: The Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA) offers five scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each for secondary, advanced, or trade school education. Applicants will be considered based on academic achievement, field of study, and written essay responses.

2. Sutliff & Stout Diversity in Law Scholarship Contest

Due Date: July 28, 2023

Prize Value: $1,500

Who is this prize for? Scholarships for Law, Scholarships for Minorities, Scholarships for Diversity, Scholarships for Paralegals, Scholarships for African American Students, Scholarships for Hispanic students, Scholarship for Asian American students. This award is open to students currently enrolled in an accredited law school or paralegal program.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: Sutliff & Stout, Injury & Accident Law Firm is proud to sponsor a nationwide scholarship contest for minorities pursuing a legal career. According to ABA’s National Lawyer Population Survey, only 12 percent of active attorneys identify as Hispanic or Latino, African American, or Asian.

To do our part towards promoting diversity within the legal profession, we are offering an annual $1,500 minority scholarship to be put towards legal education costs.

3. The CHSCF Scholarship

Due Date: July 15, 2023

Prize Value: Two awards of $1,000 each

Who is this prize for? Scholarships for Health, Scholarships for Students with Cancer, Scholarships for High School Students. Applicants must be graduating high school seniors accepted to a higher education institution in 2023.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: On behalf of CHSCF Board of Directors and Scholarship Review Board, we thank you for your interest in our Base2Summit scholarship program. We are pleased to grant two $1,000.00 scholarships, which will be awarded for the 2023-2024 school year.

4. ABC Humane Wildlife Women in STEM Academic Scholarship

Due Date: July 1, 2023

Prize Value: $1,000

Who is this prize for? Scholarship for Women in STEM. Undergraduate or graduate students are eligible to apply. Candidates must be enrolled in an accredited college or university within the United States.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: At ABC Wildlife, we believe diversity is critical in every scientific field from biology to chemical engineering.

While women represent 48 percent of the American workforce, they make up only 13 percent of engineering professionals and a mere 7.2 percent in the field of mechanical engineering. Overall, women are critically underrepresented in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.

As a woman-owned corporation operating in a largely male field, we understand the remarkable impact women can have. We want to pave the way for other women pursuing their dreams in the scientific world, which is why ABC Wildlife offers a scholarship designed to increase the number of women studying and influencing the future of science, including technology, engineering and math.

5. NGPA 2023 Scholarships

Due Date: July 31, 2023

Prize Value: From $1,000 to $10,000

Who is this prize for? Scholarships for LGBTQ Students, Scholarships for Aviation, Scholarships for Pilots.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: The cost of education and training is one of the most challenging barriers to entry for those interested in aviation as a career. Whether it’s getting a private pilot’s license, an advanced certificate or rating, or even an A&P license or float plane endorsement, NGPA scholarships provide a stepping stone for aspiring individuals at a crucial point in their journey. 

6. Future Miracle Workers Scholarship Program

Due Date: July 31, 2023

Prize Value: $1,000

Who is this prize for? Scholarships for Veterinary School. 

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: Walkin’ Pets is dedicated to providing the best products to serve aging, disabled, and injured pets. Each year Walkin’ Pets sponsors a scholarship program to honor tomorrow’s miracle workers and the future impact they will make in the veterinary community.

A $1,000 scholarship will be awarded to the doctoral student entering or currently enrolled in veterinary school in 2023. And a $500 Vet/Rehab Tech scholarship will be awarded for canine rehabilitation or veterinary tech students.

7. Simeone & Miller Good Lawyers / Good People Scholarship

Due Date: July 1, 2023

Prize Value: $1,000

Who is this prize for? Scholarships for College Students Currently Enrolled as Undergraduates or in Law School.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: One of the rewarding things about being a personal injury attorney is helping people overcome difficult challenges. We truly enjoy using our abilities and knowledge to help others. We want to help make the same opportunities to help available to others who aspire to use the law to achieve justice and make the world a better and safer place. We are therefore happy to offer two $1,000.00 annual scholarships – one for the fall semester and one for the spring semester – to deserving and qualified students.

8. Shinesolar.com Scholarship

Due Date: July 15, 2023

Prize Value: $2,000

Who is this prize for? Scholarship is open to current college students with an interest in renewable energy, sustainable energy, alternative fuel resources, conservation, renewable energy finance, or other general energy market topics. Students must have 3.0 GPA or higher.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: Are you a forward thinker eager to change the world? Do you know exactly where you want to be, but could use a little help getting there? Maybe you’re a little more calculated, and ready to take a ride on the wave of the future.

9. The Larson Law Office Scholarship

Due Date: July 1, 2023

Prize Value: $1,000

Who is this prize for? Scholarship for High School and College Students. Students must be currently enrolled or plan to attend a college, trade school, university, or graduate institution in the United States.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: The Larson Law Office, PLLC, a law firm of Houston-based Divorce Lawyers, is offering students across the country the opportunity to win our annual $1,000 scholarship. This scholarship is dedicated to helping the winner pay for education expenses. To apply, please write a 500-word essay describing your family and how they have influenced you to become the person you are today.

10. Atlanta Dental Spa Scholarship Program

Due Date: July 1, 2023

Prize Value: $1,000

Who is this prize for? This scholarship is open to students attending college in 2023.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: We value higher education and support those students who exert the effort to achieve their professional and personal goals. We also understand obtaining a desired level of education can be difficult without financial aid, which is why we have created the Atlanta Dental Spa scholarship program.

Find More College Scholarships with July

Deadlines … & Beyond!

There are many more scholarship options available to you. Whether you’re a high school senior or a current undergraduate student, more prizes are out there waiting to be found by you. 

Don’t stop your search for scholarships! While many have deadlines in July, more awards are due throughout the year. 

Winning a scholarship is within reach for many college students. In addition to helping you pay for college, scholarships can open new doors for your future. Just think about it. Scholarships will look great on future applications. So, apply! 

The post July Scholarship Picks – Less Debt, More Opportunity in 2023 first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/july-scholarship-picks-less-debt-more-opportunity-in-2023/

10 Amazing Scholarships to Apply for in June 2023 + Bonuses!

Just like money, college scholarships don’t grow on trees. Scholarship awards can be difficult to come by, and honestly, submitting applications can be a lot of work. And, let’s face it, sometimes the process is intimidating. 

Well, our goal is to lessen the barriers high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students face to win scholarships. Of course, one way to help is by sharing scholarships with you. That’s why below, you’ll find a list of ten June 2023 scholarships.

The scholarship opportunities were chosen from our free scholarship finder. So, here’s the good news. If you want more scholarships to choose from, our scholarship finder can help. It’s a huge scholarship database with thousands of options you can apply for. There are scholarships for women, scholarships for minority students, scholarships by major, scholarships for high school seniors, and much more. 

Additionally, following the list of scholarships below, we offer a few tips that help students stand out in scholarship applications. 

Since your probably here to find money to help pay for college, let’s get to some prizes!

BONUS FOR YOU: We’ve been at the scholarship game for a while. So, to help you in your search for scholarships, we’ve included a bonus list of scholarships. These are annual scholarships that appeared in our June 2022 list of 10 scholarships (and they’re back for 2023!). 

College Scholarships with June Deadlines

1. Women in Aerospace Foundation College Scholarships

Due Date: June 13, 2023

Amount: From $2,000 to $5,000

Who is this scholarship for? This scholarship encourages and helps women pursue higher education degrees in engineering, science, or math. Applicants must have a 3.0 GPA and enter their junior or senior year in the 2023-2024 academic year. Additionally, students must be interested in pursuing a career in the aerospace field.

From the Scholarship Donor: Founded in 2009, the Women in Aerospace (WIA) Foundation, Inc., is a nonprofit, tax-exempt educational organization created with three missions:

1. Increase public awareness of the importance and benefits of the aerospace field.
2. Increase public appreciation for aerospace science and technology. 
3. Inspire female students to develop the skill sets required to innovate and assume leadership roles in the development of technology in the aerospace field.

The Foundation partly accomplishes its purpose by providing scholarships to women who study engineering, math or science at the undergraduate level, and thereby (i) encourage women to enter careers in the aerospace field, (ii) expand women’s opportunities for leadership in aerospace, and (iii) increase women’s visibility in the aerospace community.

2. The Cove Scholarship Program

Due Date: June 30, 2023

Amount: $3,000

Who is this scholarship for? This scholarship is open to U.S. citizens currently enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year college or university program.

From the Scholarship Donor: Cove is pleased to announce the start of our scholarship program. Applications are currently being accepted for the 2023–2024 school year. Any scholarship funds awarded are to be used for tuition and books only. A check will be written to the recipient’s school of choice and will then be credited toward academic costs. This scholarship is non-renewable, and a recipient may only receive this scholarship once.

3. Reducing Drunk Driving in Our Communities – What Can Students Do? Scholarship

Due Date: June 15, 2023

Amount: $2,500

Who is this scholarship for? This scholarship is a scholarship for undergraduate and graduate students with a 3.0 GPA or higher. Additionally, it is open to students enrolled in or planning to enroll in an accredited college or university, including graduate school, in the United States.

From the Scholarship Donor: The “Reducing Drunk Driving In Our Communities – What Can Students Do?” Scholarship offered by Christian A. Schwaner, P.C., is set to offer $2,500 to a student in need beginning in the 2023/2024 academic year.

The firm wants to encourage incoming and current college students to think critically about their communities’ responses to intoxicated drivers. As such, students are expected to submit a 500 to 1,000-word essay detailing how they might improve their community’s attempts to reduce localized intoxicating driving incidents.

Christian A. Schwaner, P.C., will award its “Reducing Drunk Driving In Our Communities – What Can Students Do?” Scholarship to the student whose passion, argumentative skills, and creativity come together to create a unique and actionable drunk driving response plan.

4. National Air Transportation – Navigate Your Future Scholarship

Due Date: June 30, 2023

Amount: $2,500

Who is this scholarship for? This is a scholarship for high school seniors pursuing a career in the aviation industry. It is open to high school students enrolled in or accepted by an aviation-related program at an accredited post-secondary institution.

From the Scholarship Donor: The Navigate Your Future Scholarship is offered to a high school graduate continuing his or her education in the aviation industry. By making scholarships available, NATF’s goal is to foster and promote careers in the general aviation industry.

5. Saint Francis Healthcare Student Scholarship Program

Due Date: June 30, 2023

Amount: 22 scholarships at up to $2,000. Master’s degree scholarship at $5,000.

Who is this scholarship for? This scholarship is open to current students who have completed at least one year in an accredited healthcare program. It is open to undergraduate students, professionals, and offers one prize for master’s students. Also, applicants must have a GPA of 3.0. To apply for scholarships from Saint Francis, students must have a mailing address in the Saint Francis Service Area.

From the Scholarship Donor: The Saint Francis Healthcare Scholarship Program is funded annually by Saint Francis Foundation and Saint Francis Auxiliary for the fall school semester. Students pursuing a career in healthcare or professionals seeking to advance their healthcare career can choose from 22 scholarships opportunities, worth up to $2,000 each. Applicants may receive one scholarship per year for a maximum of two years. The Steven C. Bjelich Executive Scholarship is available to graduate students pursuing a Master’s degree in healthcare administration and awards $5,000 to one recipient every two years.

6. Fight For Survivors Scholarship

Due Date: June 15, 2023

Amount: $2,500

Who is this scholarship for? This scholarship is open to students attending a post-secondary institution in the U.S. (open to high school seniors admitted to a U.S accredited college or university). Applicants must be U.S. citizens or authorized to work in the U.S.

From the Scholarship Donor: Fight for Survivors  is awarding a $2,500 Fight for Survivors Scholarship. This academic-based scholarship will go to a deserving student who is an advocate for sexual abuse survivors and is pursuing higher education at an accredited college/university or graduate school. The award can go toward tuition, books, or other education expenses. Millions of survivors of sexual and physical assault live in California and the U.S. Our job is to protect their rights and get them justice as they rebuild their lives. Since opening our doors in 2013, we have handled many cases involving sexual trauma, so we know firsthand the painful challenges that people face after enduring these injustices. We want to support a promising scholar who is passionate about advocating for survivors of sexual abuse.

7. BBQ Galore 2022-2023 Culinary Scholarship

Due Date: June 30, 2023

Amount: $1,000

Who is this scholarship for? This scholarship is open to high school and college students (including graduate school students) who will be enrolled as a culinary, food, or agriculture major in the 2023-2024 academic year. Applicants are required to have a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Additionally, applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents in order to be eligible to apply.

From the Scholarship Donor: With all the success over the last few decades and our time-honored commitment to making a positive impact within our community, Barbeques Galore is pleased to provide financial assistance scholarships to upcoming high school graduates and current college students pursuing higher education. This scholarship is a contest-based scholarship awarded to students who are in good academic standing and meet all the requirements set in place. Students will be recognized for all their creative capacity and hard work with an opportunity to display their culinary/ artistic / leadership/ entrepreneurial skills. The winners will be selected by the end of June 2023 and the winner will receive $1,000 toward their college tuition.

8. Enjuris “Future Lawyer” Scholarship Video Contest (2023)

Due Date: June 1, 2023

Amount: $1,000

Who is this scholarship for? This scholarship is a scholarship for future lawyers. Applicants must be students enrolled in law school. Additionally, applicants must be U.S. citizens or legal residents.

From the Scholarship Donor: At Enjuris, we understand that law school costs are extraordinarily high (some of us are still struggling to repay our student loans). To help make the lives of hard-working law students a little easier, we’re awarding a $1,000 scholarship to a current law student for law school expenses (tuition, books, etc.). In previous years, we’ve awarded scholarships based on written responses to essay questions. But we know law students are experiencing high stress levels, so we decided to make this year’s contest a little more fun. If having fun and adding a little more cash to your pocket sounds worthwhile, read on to find out how to apply to the 2023 Enjuris “Future Lawyer” Scholarship.

9. Glen Doherty Memorial Foundation – Veteran Scholarship with June Deadline

Due Date: June 15, 2023

Amount: Varies

Who is this scholarship for? This is a scholarship for military veterans.

From the Scholarship Donor: The Glen Doherty Memorial Foundation provides scholarships to current and former Special Operations professionals, from all branches of the government, for traditional education and professional/vocational training. We do this to help with the transition from military to civilian careers. With funds raised from our events, individual donors, corporate sponsors and friend-sponsored events, we have awarded 100 SCHOLARSHIPS TO DATE! These scholarships were awarded to deserving individuals for undergraduate college education, medical school, business school, commercial pilot licensing, state police training, physician’s assistant degrees and much more!  We are so proud of each and every one of our scholars.

10. Out to Innovate Scholarships

Due Date: June 4, 2023

Amount: Various prizes from $2,000 to $5,000

Who is this scholarship for? This is a scholarship for LGBTQ+ students. Applicants must have attended college for two years at an accredited college or university. Additionally, students must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 and have declared a STEM major. Finally, successful applicants will be active supporters of LGBTQ+ inclusion and visibility. 

From the Scholarship Donor: The Out to Innovate™ Scholarships, established in 2011, are intended for LGBTQ+ undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) programs. The scholarships are designed to promote academic excellence and increased visibility of talented LGBTQ+ students in STEM careers. We are pleased to announce that Motorola Solutions Foundation has funded the Out to Innovate Scholarships for the 2022-2023 academic year, which includes first ($5000) and second ($2500) place graduate and undergraduate scholarships. We have a new permanent addition to our scholarship portfolio: The Amy A. Ross Scholarship in Bioscience. Applicants to this scholarship must demonstrate a commitment to furthering LGBTQ+ visibility, diversity, and inclusion in the biosciences. This is a $2000 scholarship.

Bonus Scholarships to Apply For

Eon Essay Contest on The Precipice and High School Scholarships

Due Date: June 15, 2023

Amount: From $2,000 to $15,000

Who is this prize for? All students in the U.S., Canada, and the United Kingdom – high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: The Eon Essay Contest is an effective altruism-aligned nonprofit; we believe in using reason and evidence to do good. We are raising awareness about the importance of avoiding existential risks. Existential risks are risks that threaten humanity’s entire future. Examples include pandemics, nuclear warfare, and asteroid strikes. We must avoid these risks to ensure future generations will flourish.

Korean American Scholarship Foundation

Due Date: June 30, 2023

Amount: $500 to $5,000

Who is this prize for? Full-time undergraduate or graduate students. Scholarships for Korean heritage.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: KASF scholarships (which range from $500 to $5,000) are offered to the qualified Korean American students (including foreign students from Korea). All applicants must be enrolled in a full time program in the U.S during the scholarship application year. If extra funds are available, other students (non Koreans) may qualify for scholarships. Specifically, descendants of American veterans served during the Korean War may qualify for scholarships (applicable to selective regions).

Power Life Sciences Scholarship for Clinical Trial Accessibility

Due Date: June 30, 2023

Amount: $2000

Who is this prize for? US high school students, undergraduates, graduate students and non-US based undergraduate, masters, or doctoral students. This is a scholarship for international students and American students.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: This scholarship is our way to support talented students who are passionate about biomedical and biopharmaceutical innovation.

Clinical trials surface a ton of data every year – but aspiring innovators and clinicians need to learn how to contextualize, interpret, and dig deeper into that information in order to make sound decisions.

National Society for Black Engineers Scholarships

Due Date: June 30, 2023

Amount: From $5,000 to $15,000

Who is this prize for? Scholarships for African Americans. Scholarships for Engineers.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: The National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) is one of the largest student-governed organizations based in the United States. NSBE, founded in 1975, supports and promotes the aspirations of collegiate and pre-collegiate students and technical professionals in engineering and technology.

American Public Transportation Foundation June Scholarship

Due Date: June 9, 2023

Amount: From $5,000 to $10,000

Who is this prize for? College sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate students. Scholarships for public transportation.

From the Scholarship Provider’s Website: In furthering our mission to increase and retain the number of individuals choosing the transit field as a career, the APTF will award a minimum of twenty-five scholarships, ranging from $6,000 to $10,000 to college students or transit professionals who are interested in pursuing or advancing in a career in the public transportation industry. Awards cover the academic year, beginning in the fall 2022 semester, and assist with tuition costs or other educational expenses.

Find More Scholarships to Apply For in 2023

Your search for scholarships should continue beyond the above list. There are plenty of resources available to help you find and win scholarships. Why not start with the BridgesEDU Scholarship Finder? It’s a fantastic tool that analyzes our scholarship database and matches you with eligible scholarships after you answer some simple questions.

But that’s not all! If you’re a high school senior, your school’s guidance counselor can also assist you in finding scholarships. And for undergraduate students, your college’s financial aid office is your go-to source. These resources can direct you towards local scholarships that have less competition, giving you an advantage in the application process.

Take note that your local library is also a wealth of information on scholarships. They often have lists of opportunities that students in your area can take advantage of. It’s a resource that many overlook, so be sure to check it out!

You Found Scholarship to Apply For … Get The Applications Right!

There you have it. You now have a fantastic set of tools to assist you on your scholarship journey. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, or like many others, struggling to believe that scholarships are possible for you, don’t worry! We’re here to support you. The BridgesEDU Toolkit provides numerous articles to help you win scholarships, and the best part is, they’re completely free. Take a look at these options:

•  What are the pros and cons of scholarships?
• How to address scholarship application weaknesses?
• How much time does it take to apply for scholarships?
• How do I answer “Why do you deserve this scholarship?”

So, seize the opportunity. Start submitting your applications today and continue doing so throughout the summer and academic year. Remember, you could be awarded multiple scholarships, so make sure you submit as many applications as possible.

The post 10 Amazing Scholarships to Apply for in June 2023 + Bonuses! first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/10-amazing-scholarships-to-apply-for-in-june-2023-bonuses/

College Scholarships for Women: Less Debt, Big Opportunity!

Other Relevant Topics:

• What are the pros and cons of scholarships?
• How to answer “why do you deserve this scholarship?”
• Should I address scholarship application weaknesses?

In many fields, there is a recognition that more female voices are needed. This is the case in college and university settings, but also professional ones. 

For this reason, many scholarships exist to support female high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students. These scholarship opportunities are designed to make college or university programs more accessible for women.

In particular, they are designed to get more female participation in fields where they are underrepresented. For example, there are many scholarships for women in science, women in technology, women in engineering, and women in math. Each of these subjects make up the broad STEM field. 

However, while scholarships for women in STEM are numerous, there are many opportunities for female students pursuing other careers. Notably, there are scholarships for women in computer science, women in business, and many other categories that we’ll explore in depth below. 

In addition to an overview of types of scholarships for women, we’ve also included a list of scholarships for female college students and high school seniors. But, before that, let’s cover why scholarships that support women are important. 

Scholarships for Women Empower Female Students

Scholarships for females ensure that women pursue their desired educational and professional goals with fewer financial barriers. These scholarships provide financial assistance that can cover tuition fees, textbooks, living expenses, and other educational expenses.

By reducing financial barriers, scholarships for females can help women achieve higher levels of education, attain better job opportunities, and improve their earning potential, which can have a positive impact on their careers, families, and society. 

Scholarships for Females Promote Diversity and Inclusion 

In addition to promoting female education opportunities, scholarships for women can help to address gender imbalances in higher education and in the workforce. Importantly, scholarship money invested in targeted fields encourages and supports women to pursue careers in fields where women are typically underrepresented.

Diversity and inclusion scholarship programs sometimes focus their funds on inclusion of African-American or Hispanic women in these same fields. Many of these scholarship opportunities promote equality for women in STEM, business, medicine, and other traditionally male-dominated areas of study. 

List of Scholarships for Women: STEM Scholarships, Business, Medicine, and More…

Below, we offer a list of college scholarships for women. We’ve outlined eligibility requirements and included relevant links for awards. This list is by no means complete. In particular, there are many scholarships available for female graduate students who are pursuing innovative research projects.

If you qualify for graduate research awards, it’s good practice to check for school-specific scholarships or state government scholarships and grants. These institutions tend to offer major funds for research projects. 

However, your level of study shouldn’t deter you from applying for scholarships. Whether you’re a female high school senior, undergraduate or graduate student, or a woman interested in returning to an educational program, there’s likely several awards out there for you. 

So, let’s get to the list of college scholarships for women in STEM, business, medicine, and beyond. 

1. Women at Microsoft Scholarship

Amount: $5,000, renewable for up to four years

Who is this scholarship for? Applicants must: 

• Identify as a woman.
• Be a graduating high school senior.
• Wish to pursue a career in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math)
• Plan to attend an accredited two- or four-year college or university or technical college in the United States.
• Have a high school GPA of 3.0 or higher.

From the Scholarship Donor: The Women at Microsoft Scholarship seeks to empower high school women and non-binary people to go to college and target a career in the technology industry. 

Non-binary people, those who are gender fluid, and women of transgender experience are encouraged to apply.

Due to the dynamic nature of a career in technology, this scholarship is not limited only to students pursuing STEAM fields of study. Instead, the selection committee is most interested in an applicant’s plan to be engaged in a STEAM industry in their career, their passion for technology, and the difference technology can make in the world. 

2. Orangesoft Women in Technology Scholarship Program 2023

Amount: $500

Who is this scholarship for? Applicants must: 

• Identify as a woman.
• Be accepted to or currently enrolled at an accredited college or university in the United States.
• Be enrolled in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics program.
• Have a minimum 3.0 GPA. 

From the Scholarship Donor: Orangesoft offers a scholarship dedicated to female college or university students pursuing STEM, or other technology-related studies and careers. As an Orangesoft Scholar, you will receive new financial opportunities and a chance to participate in the IT industry development.

3. Adobe Research Women-in-Technology Scholarship

Amount: $10,000

Who is this scholarship for? Applicants must: 

• Identify as female.
• Be currently enrolled as an undergraduate (second-year or beyond) or masters student at a North American university.
• Acceptable majors include computer science, computer engineering, or a related technical field. 
• Demonstrate a strong academic record and leadership in school and community activities.

From the Scholarship Donor: Here at Adobe Research we create innovative technologies for our software products to better serve consumers, creative professionals, developers, and enterprises. We bring together the smartest, most driven people we can find, and we give them the freedom to nurture their intellectual curiosity, while providing them the necessary resources and support to shape their ideas into tangible results. One part of creating the best products is bringing a diverse group of people together. To bring more gender diversity to the technology industry, we are pleased to invite applications to the Adobe Research Women-in-Technology Scholarship.

The Adobe Research Women-in-Technology Scholarship recognizes outstanding female undergraduate and master’s students studying artificial intelligence/machine learning, data science, computer science or mobile/web development at North American universities (including Canada and Mexico).

4. Alpha Omega Epsilon National Foundation – Engineering and Technical Science Achievement Scholarship 

Amount: $1,000

Who is this scholarship for? Applicants must: 

• Be a female undergraduate student in sophomore to senior year.
• Major in engineering or technical science.
• Have an overall GPA of 3.0. 

From the Scholarship Donor: The A.O.E. National Foundation promotes academic excellence by awarding scholarships in varying amounts to women who promote engineering and technical science by exemplifying high standards in:

• Character
• Conduct
• Integrity
• Academic Achievement and Scholastic Aptitude
• Community involvement
• Extracurricular activities

5. Octillo Women’s Cybersecurity Scholarship

Amount: $4,000

Who is this scholarship for? Applicants must: 

• Be a female pursuing a degree focused on cybersecurity, information assurance, or similar field.
• Open to undergraduate and graduate students.
• Must have a 3.2 GPA
• Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and attend a college or university in the U.S. 
• May be a full-time or part-time student

From the Scholarship Donor: (ISC)² and its Center for Cyber Safety and Education are deeply committed to encouraging and supporting students pursuing a degree with a focus on cybersecurity, information assurance, or similar field. The scholarships, sponsored by (ISC)², support students globally. Efforts like these can put students on a pathway to long term career success in a rewarding and critically-important field.

The scholarships are part of an effort to bridge the cybersecurity workforce gap—which stands at 2.72 million needed professionals—by providing future cybersecurity professionals across the globe with scholarships to prepare them for a rewarding career in this important field.

6. Loadview by Dotcom-Monitor

Amount: $1,000

Who is this scholarship for? Applicants must: 

• Be a female student.
• Enrolled in full-time undergraduate studies at an accredited U.S. or Canadian school.
• Have completed at least one academic year in computer science, computer engineering, or a related technical field. 

From the Scholarship Donor: Dotcom-Monitor would like to encourage and support female undergraduate students who are pursuing careers in computing by assisting them with the rising cost of higher education. Each year one applicant will be selected to receive the Dotcom-Monitor Women in Computing Scholarship of $1,000 to support their education and pursuit of a career in computing.

7. LogicMonitor Women in STEM Scholarship 2023

Due Date: March 31, 2023

Amount: Three prizes of $6,000 each.

Who is this scholarship for? This is a scholarship for women in STEM. Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited two- or four-year college or university in the United States. Students must complete an online application.

From the Scholarship Donor: LogicMonitor seeks to increase the percentage of women in the STEM workforce, and is announcing a scholarship for Women pursuing careers in STEM. THREE recipients will be awarded a $6000 scholarship for the 2023 school year, starting in the Fall 2023 semester. Currently, Women compose less than 30% of the science and engineering workforce. LogicMonitor seeks to increase the percentage of women in the STEM workforce, and is announcing a scholarship for Women pursuing careers in STEM.

8. American Association of University Women – Selected Professions Fellowships

Amount: $20,000

Who is this scholarship for? Applicants must: 

• Identify as a woman. 
• Demonstrate high standards of academic excellence and promise of distinction in chosen field. 
• Be a full-time student. 

From the Scholarship Donor: AAUW awards Selected Professions Fellowships to women, including people who identify as women, who are citizens or permanent residents of the United States and who have achieved high standards of academic excellence and show promise of distinction in their respective fields.

Applicants must be full-time students at an accredited U.S. institution during the fellowship year and must pursue a course of study in the United States over the full academic year. Priority is given to women who do not already hold a master’s or first professional degree.

Selected Professions Fellowships are not open to previous recipients of any AAUW national fellowship or grant (not including branch or local awards or Community Action Grants).

Women in two categories are eligible to apply: the Science and Technology Group and the Focus Professions Group.

9. The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting

Amount: Various awards from $1,000 to $5,000. Some awards are renewable.

Who is this scholarship for? This is a set of scholarships designed to support female students in the accounting field. Scholarships are open to women at the undergraduate and graduate degree levels. Some scholarships are awarded based on financial need while other scholarships are available to women scholars pursuing Ph.D. research. 

From the Scholarship Donor: The Educational Foundation for Women in Accounting awards scholarships to women who are pursuing Accounting degrees at the undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate levels. You may apply for more than one scholarship, with the exception of Women In Transition and Women in Need. Please study the criteria for each scholarship to determine your eligibility.

Each year the scholarship application period opens in January and closes April 30th for most scholarships. The postgraduate scholarship application period closes May 15th.

10. Society of Women Engineers Scholarships

Amount: Various awards from $1,000 to $5,000. Some awards are renewable.

Who is this scholarship for? This is a set of three annual scholarship opportunities for women in engineering. Undergraduate and community college students must be planning to study an ABET-accredited program in engineering, technology, or computing in the upcoming academic year. Masters and PhD candidates must be enrolled or accepted at a school with ABET-accredited programs in engineering, computing, or technology.

From the Scholarship Donor: SWE Scholarships support those who identify as a woman and pursue an ABET-accredited bachelor or graduate student program in preparation for careers in engineering, engineering technology, and fields related to engineering globally. 

SWE now offers scholarships in India! These SWE scholarships support students that identify as women and are pursuing Washington Accord-accredited undergraduate or graduate degrees in engineering, engineering technology, or fields related to engineering in Tamil Nadu or Maharashtra.

11. Entertainment Software Association Foundation – Computer and Video Game Arts and Sciences Scholarship

Amount: Various awards from $1,000 to $5,000. Some awards are renewable.

Who is this scholarship for? Applicants must:

• Be a woman or minority.
• Be in a field leading to a career in computer and video game arts and sciences.
• Be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate program at an accredited four-year college or university.
• A U.S. citizen.
• This scholarship is open to seniors in high school and college students in freshman, sophomore, or junior year. 

From the Scholarship Donor: Established in 2007, the ESA Foundation’s Computer and Video Game Arts and Sciences Scholarship has been awarded to nearly 400 women and minority students across the country, enabling them to follow their dream of earning video game-related degrees. Aside from providing students with much-needed funding, the scholarship offers non-monetary opportunities, including networking and mentoring sessions and access to major industry events, like the Game Developers Conference and E3.

12. Soroptimist’s Live Your Dream Awards

Amount: Up to $16,000

Who is this scholarship for? This scholarships helps female students who are the primary financial support for themselves and their families. It helps women with financial need earn a college education. Additionally, it is open to women in the following countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Ecuador, Guam, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Northern Mariana Islands, Palau, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Taiwan, United States of America, and Venezuela. 

From the Scholarship Donor: Soroptimist’s Live Your Dream Awards program is a unique education award for women who provide the primary financial support for their families. The Live Your Dream Awards give women the resources they need to improve their education, skills and employment prospects.

Over half of our Live Your Dream Awards recipients are survivors of domestic violence, trafficking or sexual assault. Nearly all of the women and families we serve have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, teen pregnancy, and drug or alcohol addiction. Live Your Dream Awards recipients may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, childcare, tuition and transportation. 

13. The Heinlein Society Scholarship Program for Women in Science, Math, or Engineering

Amount: Four prizes at $4,000 each

Who is this scholarship for? This scholarship is for a female student majoring in engineering, math, or science. Applicants must be full-time students attending an accredited college that awards Bachelor of Science degrees. This prize is open to residents of any country. 

From the Scholarship Donor: This year we will be awarding four $4,000 scholarships to undergraduate students of accredited 4-year colleges and universities. The “Virginia Heinlein Memorial Scholarship” is dedicated to a female candidate majoring in engineering, math, or biological or physical sciences.

14. Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers – UPS Scholarship for Female Students

Amount: Two prizes at $4,000 each

Who is this scholarship for? This scholarship is for a female student from the U.S., Canada, or Mexico. Applicants must:

• Be an undergraduate. 
• Have a 3.4 GPA.
• Must be a member of IISE.

From the Scholarship Donor: IISE’s Scholarships and Fellowships Program recognizes graduate and undergraduate industrial engineering students for academic excellence and campus leadership. The nominee’s scholastic ability, character, leadership, and potential service to the industrial engineering profession are all considered by the scholarship fund trustees when selecting the scholarship recipients.

15. Women in Aviation International Scholarships

Amount: Two prizes at $4,000 each

Who is this scholarship for? This scholarship is for a female student from the U.S., Canada, or Mexico. Applicants must:

• Be an undergraduate. 
• Have a 3.4 GPA.
• Must be a member of IISE.

From the Scholarship Donor: Scholarship awards are a major benefit of membership in Women in Aviation International and help members reach their goals and advance into the aviation and aerospace careers they have always dreamed about. Ignite your personal learning experience by applying for the annual WAI scholarships.

16. ASHRAE Lynn G. Bellenger Scholarship for Women in Engineering

Amount: $5,000

Who is this scholarship for? This scholarship is for women engineering and pre-engineering students in a full-time program. Applicants must:

• Be in a curriculum related to HVAC&R. 
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Attend an ABET accredited school. 

From the Scholarship Donor: The Lynn G. Bellenger Scholarship is available exclusively to women. The scholarship is named in memory of ASHRAE’s first woman president (2010-2011). Presidential Theme: Modeling a Sustainable World.

17. American Business Women’s Association – Stephen Bufton Memorial Educational Fund

Amount: $2,000 to $10,000

Who is this scholarship for? This set of scholarships is for women in business. Applicants must: 

• Be U.S. citizens
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0.
• Attend a college in the upcoming academic year. 

From the Scholarship Donor: Today’s SBMEF scholarship recipients are tomorrow’s leaders because of the contributions made by members affiliated with the American Business Women’s Association. For 65 years, members of the ABWA have provided opportunities for women to achieve their personal and professional best by sponsoring applicants, making contributions and raising money to champion the important mission of this fund. We salute the women of ABWA who have made these scholarships possible.

Today, women are outpacing men in post-graduate education, pursuing careers in male-dominated industries and closing the parity gap on wages and opportunities in the workplace. The enormous strides women have made in advancing their education is, in part, attributed to the scholarships funded through the SBMEF.

18. Scholarship for Women in Defense

Amount: Varies

Who is this scholarship for? This is a scholarship for women who demonstrate an interest in a career related to national security or defense. It is open to high school seniors and college students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. An applicants focus of study can be: security studies, military history, government relations, engineering, computer science, cyber security, physics, mathematics, business (as it relates to national security or defense), law (as it relates to national security or defense), international relations, political science, policy and diplomacy, intelligence and economics. Others will be considered if the applicant can successfully demonstrate relevance to a career in the areas of national security or defense. Additional eligibility requirements include:

• Be U.S. citizens
• Have a cumulative GPA of 3.25.
• Attend a college by the fall 2023 semester. 

From the Scholarship Donor: Through the WID Scholar program, Women In Defense encourages women to pursue careers supporting U.S. national security with a focus on defense or foreign policy.

Since its establishment in 1988, the WID Scholar program, previously HORIZONS, has awarded more than $1,000,000 to more than 200 recipients pursuing degrees ranging from law to engineering to math to public policy. Awards are based on academic achievement, participation in defense and national security activities, field of study, work experience, statements of interest, recommendations, and financial need. Recipients must report periodically on the impact of the awards on their personal and professional lives.

The National Defense Industrial Association, Women In Defense, and their sponsors are proud to invest in high-performing women to increase diversity and innovation in government, academia, and the defense industrial workforce.

19. Women’s Independence Scholarship Program, Inc.

Amount: From $500 to $2,000

Who is this scholarship for? This is a scholarship is open to females students who identify as a survivor of intimate partner abuse. Applicants must demonstrate a critical need for financial assistance. Full-time attendance in studies or training programs is not a requirement. With a focus on improving the lives of women, this scholarship gives preference to women pursuing their first advanced degree. 

From the Scholarship Donor: The Women’s Independence Scholarship Program, Inc. began as a program of The Sunshine Lady Foundation (SLF) in 1999. The primary intent is to provide assistance to women who are survivors of intimate partner abuse with education that leads to a living wage and financial self-sufficiency, interrupting the cycle of financial abuse within the larger context of economic justice. In December 2007, SLF Founder and President, Doris Buffett announced her intention to endow WISP as its own entity. On July 1, 2008 WISP, Inc. emerged as a stand-alone organization with a mission to enhance efforts toward economic justice by offering a means to help survivors of intimate partner abuse access higher education. WISP is available nationally to women who have left an abusive intimate partner relationship and who are pursuing an education with the goal of providing economic independence for themselves and their children.

20. Alliance for Women in Media Foundation Scholarships

Amount: $10,000

Who is this scholarship for? The AWMF offers various scholarships that are sponsored by partners. The Foundation invests in women pursuing journalism. Various prizes, like The ESPN Scholarship is centered on scholarships for women of color. AWMF has also partnered with Ford Motor Company to give scholarships to female students pursuing media careers in front of the microphone or camera in areas such as cable, television, radio, digital media, and more. 

From the Scholarship Donor: Recognizing and supporting future generations of women in media is as important as recognizing current achievements. The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation provides scholarships annually to assist students pursuing careers in media and journalism.

We are proud to provide deserving young women the opportunity to complete their education and meet their full potential.

21. Zonta International Jane M. Klausman Women in Business Scholarship

Amount: 37 scholarships at $5,000 each

Who is this scholarship for? This is a scholarship for women of any age, pursuing a business program majoring in accounting, economics, finance, business management, business technology, information technology, marketing, operations management, human resources management, international business, or entrepreneurship. This is a local scholarship for those living in a Zonta district. For those who don’t, they may apply for a Zonta International Scholarship. As this award is focused on increasing the number of women in business fields, applicants to Zonta’s Women in STEM Scholarship may not apply. 

From the Scholarship Donor: Women have made great strides in the pursuit of education, careers and leadership roles they were once denied. However, they still comprise a minority of leaders in the business world. As of December 2022, 32% of S&P 500 companies’ board seats are occupied by women, and just 7.4% of the companies’ CEOs are women.

Because Zonta International believes in gender equality, the Jane M. Klausman (JMK) Women in Business Scholarship program helps women pursue undergraduate and master’s degrees in business management and overcome gender barriers from the classroom to the boardroom.

22. Generation Google Scholarship (North America)

Amount: $10,000 USD or $5,000 CAD

Who is this scholarship for? This is a scholarship for students in computer science degrees. Students that identify with groups historically marginalized in the technology industry are strongly encouraged to apply. This includes: women, Black/African American, Hispanic/Latinx, American Indian, and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander. 

From the Scholarship Donor: The Generation Google Scholarship was established to help aspiring students pursuing computer science degrees excel in technology and become leaders in the field. Selected students will receive $10,000 USD (for those studying in the US) or $5,000 CAD (for those studying in Canada) for the 2023-2024 school year. The Generation Google Scholarship will be awarded based on the strength of each candidate’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, demonstrated leadership, and academic performance.

23. FINCAD Women in Finance Scholarship

Amount: $20,000

Who is this scholarship for? This is a scholarship for female students in a Master’s pr Ph.D. Finance program. Applicants can be a citizen of any country, but must be enrolled in an accredited university. 

From the Scholarship Donor: FINCAD, the Capital Markets Group of Zafin, remains committed to supporting talented women in the capital markets through our annual Women in Finance Scholarship opportunity.

The Women in Finance Scholarship is aimed at encouraging and supporting talented women in the field of finance, particularly those pursuing careers in financial asset management, market risk management and derivatives finance within the capital markets.

Once a year, an award of US$20,000 is given to one eligible woman to help support graduate-level studies in Finance, with 50% of the award being paid directly to the winner and the remaining 50% being paid to the educational institution to directly assist with tuition.

24. Scholarships for Women in Medicine – LGBTQ+ Leadership

Amount: 2 prizes at $5,000 each

Who is this scholarship for? This is a scholarship for female medical students in the United States or Canada. Applicants should demonstrate strong academic standing and leadership for the LGBTQ community.

From the Scholarship Donor: Women in Medicine (WIM) will present two, $5,000 LGBTQ Leadership Scholarships for female medical students enrolled in in their first, second or third year of allopathic, osteopathic, or naturopathic medical schools in the United States or Canada in 2022-23. The scholarships will be presented at the WIM annual meeting, which will be held August 23-26, 2023, with the expectation that the medical student must attend the conference, its sessions, and be present to receive their awards. Applicants should be in good academic standing, and have actively contributed/demonstrated leadership for the LGBTQ community.

25. American Medical Women’s Association Scholarships

Amount: Various prizes from $500 to $2,000

Who is this scholarship for? The AMWA offers various awards to its members who are currently pursuing a medical degree. Various eligibility requirements exist for each prize. 

From the Scholarship Donor: For over a century, the American Medical Women’s Association (AMWA) has been committed to the advancement of women in medicine. Although the number of women choosing careers in medicine has grown substantially, there has not been a commensurate rise in women to senior leadership positions. AMWA’s work helps address this gender gap in leadership, through advocacy, mentorship and sponsorship, leadership development, research, constituency building, and policy reform – with a goal for institutional and cultural transformation in gender equity and career parity.

26. Palantir Women in Technology Scholarship – North America – Scholarship for Women in STEM

Amount: $7,000

Who is this scholarship for? This is a scholarship for women in STEM fields, most notably computer science, engineering, and technical studies. It is open to women enrolled at an accredited U.S., Canadian, or Mexican college or university. Applicants must be in their freshman, sophomore, or junior year. 

From the Scholarship Donor: We hope to encourage women to pursue computer science, engineering, and technical studies, and to become leaders in these fields.

Scholarship recipients will be invited to participate in professional development workshops designed to prepare them to successfully launch their careers in technology. Eligible recipients will also have the opportunity to interview for internship and full-time roles.

 27. Plant Mother Scholarships for Women

Amount: $1,000

Who is this scholarship for? This is a scholarship for women in any field of study. Applicants must submit an essay on a topic related to climate change and business. 

From the Scholarship Donor: Plant Mother wants to offer scholarships for women, as an opportunity to help female students grow and reach their academic goals. Gender bias is still prevalent in today’s society, creating barriers for many women around the world. Some of these ongoing struggles include equal pay, gender-based discrimination, minority women discrimination, reproductive rights, and even domestic abuse.

Plant Mother Founder and CEO, Jena Joyce, is a strong supporter of women’s rights and believes students should be able to follow their dream career paths. Knowing that women are often undervalued and underpaid, Joyce is proud to offer women a scholarship award to a deserving current student to help pay a portion of the winner’s upcoming college costs. Keep reading to learn more about this exciting and rewarding opportunity!

Find More College Scholarships for Women

The above list of scholarships for women offers many awards for female students. However, there are likely many more scholarships and grants available for you. Many organizations are dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls by investing in educational opportunities. This means that your search shouldn’t end here.

Another great option to find awards is the free BridgesEDU Scholarship Finder. This connects you with opportunities from our enormous scholarship database.

Local scholarships are also great options because they typically attract less competition. Some awards offer scholarships to students from across North America. In other cases, preference is given to women from a certain city, town, or district. These kinds of prizes can dramatically increase your chances of winning money for college.

Where to Find Local Scholarships

Local scholarships tend to be advertised less than national awards. While this is good in relation to the competition you’ll face, this also makes it more challenging to find these prizes.

Of course, you can start by doing an online search for scholarships in your area. For this, Google is your friend.

You can also check in with your school’s guidance office, financial aid office, or your local library. These resources may have detailed lists of scholarships in your area.

Submit Winning Scholarship Applications

Finding scholarships and winning scholarships require different skills. Above, we’ve focused on connecting you with scholarships. But, knowing how to stand out in scholarship applications and delivering a winning message to scholarship committees is possibly even more important.

The way your personal statement or scholarship essay is framed, letters of recommendation, and your GPA all play a key role in winning a scholarship competition. These tend to be the most important parts of an application.

So, if you want a leg up on the competition you’ll face for scholarships, here are the two difference makers. First, focus on finding scholarships with less competition – local awards or those specific to your student profile. Beyond that, ensure you know what goes into submitting scholarship applications that stand out. With these tips in mind, you’ll increase your chances of winning money to pay for college. Good luck!

The post College Scholarships for Women: Less Debt, Big Opportunity! first appeared on BridgesEDU Scholarships.
Published first here: https://bridgeseduscholarships.com/college-scholarships-for-women-less-debt-big-opportunity/