4 answers
Tara
Student
Lilburn, Georgia
2
Questions
Asked
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How can I be eligible for a scholarship?
#college #scholarship #money #financial-aid #help
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4 answers
Maya Goldman
Engineering
17
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Maya’s Answer
Hey Tara,
There are usually two types of scholarships-needs based and merit based. Needs based usually means your family has a combined income below a certain fixed amount or you have some other extenuating circumstance that makes it impossible to attend university without financial support. Merit based means you are chosen to receive financial support based on your achievements in academics or some other system of qualifications. There are also athletic scholarships, but they are rare and honestly I don't know much about them. They are also kind of risky because you can loose them if you get hurt and can't compete anymore.
In Georgia, the HOPE and ZELL Miller are merit-based and you can check the latest requirements on www.gafutures.org. You must maintain at minimum a 3.0 and get certain scores on the SAT or ACT. These are really great scholarship programs and your biggest bang for your buck in getting a great education in Georgia.
If you are applying to colleges, check their financial aid websites. Each school has a pile of money to hand out at their discretion, and they allocate them for specific needs, qualifications, etc. One tip I have from personal experience, if you apply early action your application is sometimes automatically considered for scholarships, and applying early is always better before the money runs out.
There are also private companies and non-profit foundations that offer scholarships, like Coca-Cola, Starbucks, Chick-Fil-A, and Target. These take research and time to apply for, but can be really worth it and there are a ton out there for all kinds of subjects. Are you lefthanded? There's a scholarship for that. Are you a first generation college student? Those are out there too. If you belong to a church or religious community, your high school does a pagent, or your local YMCA or Boys & Girls Club has a scholarship research those too. If you have a specific degree or career in mind, look for professional organizations in those fields they usually offer student scholarships. Be creative and don't give up!
Look up requirements for state funding
Research private companies and non-profits that offer scholarships
Apply to colleges early and call their bursur or financial aid office to ask for more information
There are usually two types of scholarships-needs based and merit based. Needs based usually means your family has a combined income below a certain fixed amount or you have some other extenuating circumstance that makes it impossible to attend university without financial support. Merit based means you are chosen to receive financial support based on your achievements in academics or some other system of qualifications. There are also athletic scholarships, but they are rare and honestly I don't know much about them. They are also kind of risky because you can loose them if you get hurt and can't compete anymore.
In Georgia, the HOPE and ZELL Miller are merit-based and you can check the latest requirements on www.gafutures.org. You must maintain at minimum a 3.0 and get certain scores on the SAT or ACT. These are really great scholarship programs and your biggest bang for your buck in getting a great education in Georgia.
If you are applying to colleges, check their financial aid websites. Each school has a pile of money to hand out at their discretion, and they allocate them for specific needs, qualifications, etc. One tip I have from personal experience, if you apply early action your application is sometimes automatically considered for scholarships, and applying early is always better before the money runs out.
There are also private companies and non-profit foundations that offer scholarships, like Coca-Cola, Starbucks, Chick-Fil-A, and Target. These take research and time to apply for, but can be really worth it and there are a ton out there for all kinds of subjects. Are you lefthanded? There's a scholarship for that. Are you a first generation college student? Those are out there too. If you belong to a church or religious community, your high school does a pagent, or your local YMCA or Boys & Girls Club has a scholarship research those too. If you have a specific degree or career in mind, look for professional organizations in those fields they usually offer student scholarships. Be creative and don't give up!
Maya recommends the following next steps:
Lillian Wang, LMSW
Career Counselor in Higher Education
56
Answers
Updated
Lillian’s Answer
Hi Tara,
All scholarships have different eligibility requirements. Some are need-based while others are merit-based. Some require all applicants to be of a certain race/ethnicity/gender or from a certain area. Some require you to write an essay while others don't. Ask your school's academic advisor or guidance counselor for a list of local scholarships. You can also google around for other scholarships and see what you qualify for.
Start at this website and google around to find scholarships that are a good fit for you: https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/finding-scholarships
Clarissa Escamilla
Geological Engineer
29
Answers
Mesa, Arizona
Updated
Clarissa’s Answer
You can apply for scholarships through your school once you are accepted in or through other companies. If you contact your admissions department at the college, they will be able to tell you how to apply for the scholarships, some schools have you fill out a scholarship application as part of the applying to the school, and some will give you a scholarship just for being a good student (having high grades).
If you are looking at getting a scholarship from a company they will have their criteria listed. Most scholarships have requirements for certain GPA requirements and some of them require essays with the applications. Do you’re best to keep your grades up and you’re bound to be able to get one!
Also, make sure you apply for the FAFSA. It is a needs based grant, even if you don’t qualify some schools use the information to give out their own scholarships.
If you are looking at getting a scholarship from a company they will have their criteria listed. Most scholarships have requirements for certain GPA requirements and some of them require essays with the applications. Do you’re best to keep your grades up and you’re bound to be able to get one!
Also, make sure you apply for the FAFSA. It is a needs based grant, even if you don’t qualify some schools use the information to give out their own scholarships.
Simeon Snow
Risk Assurance
1792
Answers
Houston, Texas
Updated
Simeon’s Answer
Most scholarships will list what kind of people qualify for their scholarships. Make sure that you keep an eye out for scholarships offered by local service organizations so you have a better chance of qualifying for their scholarship.