Boost Your College Scholarship Applications

Winter break is approaching fast, and your high school student may already be feeling the senior-year itch. But instead of letting your almost-graduate sit brooding over their college applications or binge on holiday movies, help your student use the extra time to boost their college scholarship chances. Scholarships are widely available to help students afford everything from tuition to books and can help offset the cost of your student’s college education.

Identify Available Scholarships

Your school’s guidance counselor should be able to direct your student to some scholarships, as well as the coaches or administrators of a team or club in which your student participates. Many scholarships, even local ones, are tied to specific clubs or skill sets, and those in-the-know are likely closer than you think. However, even the most seasoned administrator cannot possibly know about every available scholarship. So, signing up for a free scholarship search tool may aid the process.

While looking at your student’s current networks, skills, and memberships for potential scholarships, consider your student’s future. If your student has plans to enter the medical field, they may be eligible for scholarships given by aging boards, hospitals, or other medical providers. If your student plans to study history or political science, they may be eligible for a scholarship sponsored by the local historical society.

Be Ready to Apply

Upon identifying suitable scholarships, it’s important to stay organized and keep track of all deadlines. Even so, some application deadlines may catch students and parents by surprise. One great tip offered by IvyWise is to have copies of your student’s transcript on hand, as well as several letters of recommendation—that way your student has the means to apply to any scholarship on a moment’s notice.

Each individual scholarship may ask for a different essay. Yet, your student can make notes ahead of time to answer some of the typical scholarship application questions.

Why do you wish to attend college?

What do you plan to study?

How would this scholarship benefit you?

By thinking through their answers, your student will be ready to customize their responses for each scholarship with ease.

Expand Your Qualifications

Help your almost-graduate fill some of the holiday downtime with added opportunities to expand networks. Does your employer offer a scholarship? Make an effort to introduce your student around the office. Does a local services board award scholarships for volunteers? Get your student plugged in to volunteer.

Applying for scholarships on top of applying to college can seem daunting, but if your student (and you) start early enough and think creatively about the possibilities, this boosts the chances to secure some scholarship money to help your student achieve their dreams.