Few students understand the difference between college scholarships and grants. In fact, many students assume that scholarships are only awarded when a provider approaches a student to offer one, or when a student has been nominated for one. But this is far from the truth, as scholarships are abundant in the US and can be applied for by anyone who thinks they qualify. Educational scholarships vary considerably in type and amount, but it could be stated that there is a scholarship for everyone out there. The key is to know where to apply, how to apply, and what to do once a college scholarship has been awarded.
The primary difference between scholarships and grants is that scholarships are geared for educational purposes, while grants may be entirely unrelated to education. However, there are some similarities that can be confusing. For instance, both scholarships and grants provide money that never has to be repaid, as long as the terms of the grant or scholarship are met. Typically, grants have far less requirements, while college scholarships have requirements before, during, and long after the award has been made. Some of these requirements may be to pursue a particular line of study or research, or to maintain a certain GPA level.
Scholarships are almost always offered exclusively to high school students or those in their first year of an undergraduate program. Many scholarships can be applied for automatically when the student completes a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA. The FAFSA allows a student to apply for loans, grants, work study and scholarships all on one form. However, the FAFSA does not provide a great deal of scholarship money. Instead, schools may offer scholarships directly, but require that a student fill out the FAFSA in order to make basic determinations. Because scholarships are not often financial need-based, this means that many students will not find the scholarship information they need on the FAFSA.
How College Scholarships are Awarded
In general, college scholarships are awarded based on something the student does, plans to do, or is a part of. Typical scholarship categories include:
- Program of study/major: Scholarships are often awarded to students who are studying in particular fields.
- Sports or academic achievement: These types of scholarships are awarded to students who have demonstrated excellence in athletics or academics.
- Grade level: Many scholarships are for high school students about to enter college or for students in their first year of an undergraduate program.
- School-specific: Many schools offer scholarships that are exclusive to that institution.
- State-specific: State governments often offer scholarships to residents only. This helps to ensure that the student remains in the state.
Type: College scholarships vary incredibly when it comes to type. Some may be for disadvantaged individuals who perform well, some might be for members of certain groups, and some can be for unusual affiliations, such as scholarships for left-handed individuals and scholarships for those with a grasp of more than one language.
Students who wish to utilize scholarships to fund their education have significant work ahead of them- but it often pays off when done correctly. Current and prospective students need to research thoroughly. This includes seeking scholarship information from businesses, professional associations, religious groups, charitable organizations, civic groups, law enforcement groups, colleges and universities, and private individuals. The best way to secure the college scholarships needed to fund an education is to apply to for as many scholarships as possible without affecting the quality of the proposal submitted.
Students seeking scholarships should be sure that they know all of the requirements of the scholarship, as applying for something that the student is not qualified for is a waste of time. Applications for scholarships should be neat and completely free of errors and omissions. It is an extremely wise practice to have a third party who is an exceptional writer or editor review the scholarship application prior to submission. Submissions should include all necessary documentation and be handed in well in advance of the deadline for acceptance. Submission packages should be duplicated and stored in a safe place in case the original is lost in the mail or accidentally destroyed. Once awarded, students should be careful to continue to meet all of the requirements of the scholarship. This might include completing a certain course of study, following through with a research project, or maintaining a minimum GPA level.
On a final note, students applying for scholarships should be wary of any website, business, or organization that requires a fee to be paid in order to apply for the scholarship. In almost all cases, purported providers of college scholarships that require fees to be paid are scams and should be avoided and reported to authorities.