Top 10 Myths About Scholarships
Scholarships. We hear all about them, but not everyone has their facts straight. You may be tempted to skip the entire application process. However, scholarships for college are available, and you can win one (or more). We’ve gathered some scholarship facts to bust some of the top myths about them.
1. College scholarships are only for certain students
Scholarships are awarded to all types of students, not just straight-A students, top athletes, or lower-income students.
Many more students with a GPA of 3.0 to 3.4 win scholarships for college than those with higher GPAs. In addition, fewer than 2% of high school student-athletes receive athletic scholarships.
2. There’s too much competition for scholarships
It’s true that the few high-value scholarships have stiff competition. However, there are over a million other scholarships available.
You can increase your odds of winning one with careful planning. Most importantly, read the directions for each college scholarship you apply for — you’ll be surprised how many students don’t! In addition, don’t forget to check out local sources (such as local companies, businesses, nonprofits, charities, chamber of commerce, your parents' employers, sports club, booster club, etc.) for scholarship opportunities. NSHSS is another great source of college scholarship opportunities, awarding over $2 million annually.
3. It’s too hard to apply for scholarships
Not every scholarship makes you jump through hoops to apply. Stay organized by creating a spreadsheet or list of all the requirements. Many do not require an essay or financial information. Also, because scholarships often ask similar questions on their applications, you can repurpose your answers for other ones.
4. Don’t waste your time with the small ones
Private scholarships — those not given out by institutions — are usually less than $4000. Many are in the $500 to $1000 range. You may think they’re not worth it, but they can add up.
Remember, you can apply for as many scholarships as you want. You can reduce the cost of tuition substantially by winning even two or three smaller scholarships.
5. It’s too hard to find scholarships for college
College scholarships can be found everywhere. If you don’t know where to start, check with your high school guidance office. While a quick Google search can also turn up a lot of college scholarships, up to 42% will not be found through just Googling alone.
The National Society of High School Scholars can help. NSHSS provides unique scholarship opportunities in one convenient place.
6. You’ll have to write an essay
Lots of college scholarships don’t require an essay. Some are more like sweepstakes you enter, while others are merit-based and require your GPA and letters of recommendation.
7. You only need to apply for a few scholarships
If you don’t apply, you can’t win. Think of it as a numbers game. The more applications you submit, the more chances you have. If you need to take out loans to pay for your college, you’ll definitely want to apply for as many scholarships as possible to reduce your loan amounts.
8. Filling out the FAFSA is all you need
If you want to get scholarships, you’ll need to do more than just fill out the FAFSA.
Filling out the FAFSA is necessary for you to be considered for financial aid and federal loans. Moreover, many schools require it so they can award institutional scholarships. However, the amount of money your college may award you probably won’t be enough to cover all your costs.
9. Scholarships are only for high school seniors
There are college scholarships available for all students. Some specify that you must be a high school senior. Others are open to high school juniors or for those already in college.
10. Applying for scholarships is a one-time thing
You might think you’re done with scholarships once you head off to college. However, it’s worth it to keep applying throughout your college career.
Read the fine print on any scholarship you receive. It might renew each year automatically, or you might have to reapply for it each year. There are also many scholarships available only to current college students.
Navigating the college scholarship process may seem difficult at first. Membership in NSHSS can help sort out scholarship facts from fiction and make the entire process easier.
About NSHSS
Since 2002, NSHSS has supported young academics on their journey to college and beyond as they prepare to become the leaders of tomorrow. The mission behind NSHSS is to recognize academic excellence and honor high-achieving students, providing them with the resources and network to excel in college, career, and community. In doing so, NSHSS connects members with global events, scholarships, college fairs, internships, career and leadership programs, partner discounts, and more. Discover what makes NSHSS worth it to student members and how you can get involved.