With college costs skyrocketing and the imminent budget cuts limiting financial aid, college students seeking ways to pay for college may become harder. However, if you’re a potential or current college student you can use one traditional way of cutting costs through scholarships.
In a recent study by NerdScholar—a site devoted to empowering students and their parents with the tools in making the best decision about their education—revealed that the month of March is the pivotal moment to try and obtain scholarships.
With a largest pool of money to win and the greatest number of deadlines held in March there are five essential tips to follow in order to hook some scholarships:
1. Prepare the necessary materials: Have your transcript, essays, and letters of reference gathered so you can submit them with your application.
2. The power of extracurricular activities: By showing how you dedicate your time in extracurricular activity in either clubs, sports, and/or volunteering shows you plan being an active member in your community.
3. Make a target list: According to Nerdscholar’s study, students applying for scholarships in either a home state or area of study have more weight than gender or ethnicity. Use your time to develop a target list that aims to grab scholarships that meets your specific interest.
4. Find a helpful mentor or adviser: You don’t have to do this on your own. Seek out advice from teachers, counselors, principals, anyone who is like a leader in some way. They can help you through the stress and guide you with insight they may have due to their experience.
5. And last and the most important, APPLY: Scholarships are FREE money; they are out there and students should attempt to acquire them.
While federal aid is generally easier, recent budget cuts to college aid may greatly limit funding for students. Applying for scholarship only require students to prove what they themselves already know, you are a hard worker and should be rewarded by easing costs that will make college easier.
