Why Should I Look Into Scholarships For College?
Finding scholarships to help pay for college is important now more than ever. The rapid rise in tuition and the challenge of managing student debt have made college an expensive proposition.
Not only should scholarships be a standard part of your college application process, but they can also play a big role in determining where you choose to go to school. A bit of research, a few applications including writing a strong essay, and good students can make their financial journey to college vastly easier.
Paying for College
Going to college is not getting any cheaper. The inflation-adjusted price for one year of college in 1980 – including tuition plus living costs – was $10,231. Today, the total price has increased to $28,775.
With these high costs, it is no surprise that over 80% of college students receive some form of financial aid. In fact, roughly half of the college industry is financed with federal and state government loans. (Many students also take on supplemental private loans.)
In March 2020, the U.S. government put a “freeze” on student loan payments because of Covid. This yielded a “snapshot” of the student debt landscape:
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44 million Americans carry federal student debt
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The average student borrower owes $37,000
To qualify for federal loans, you must be accepted by an accredited college and apply using the forms provided by the college you attend. But while it may seem like “free money” while you are in school, this debt can follow you for many years.
Scholarships are where you’ll find the real “free money”. Though they may have specific requirements -- such as maintaining a certain GPA, or playing a varsity sport – they don’t have to be paid back.
Types of Scholarships
NSHSS is here to help you identify and land scholarships. We break down the big picture in this article about the 8 Types of Scholarships:
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Need-Based
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Government
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Athletic
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Academic
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Minority Students
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Women
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Community Service
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Creative Arts
What Qualifies You for a Scholarship
Every good student stands out in some way, and there’s a good chance that there’s a scholarship opportunity just waiting for you to apply. NSHSS has an article about this on our blog: Searching for Scholarships Tailored Just for You.
Some of the more common areas that qualify students for scholarships include:
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Academic Excellence
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Athletics
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Leadership
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Entrepreneurship
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Literature
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Pre-Medical
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Music
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Visual Art
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Theater
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STEM
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Sustainability/Environment
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Community Service
But those are only the more “obvious” qualifications. You can also find scholarships for special criteria such as:
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Mental Health Awareness
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First-Generation to Attend College
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Future Educator
All you have to do is begin your research. There are opportunities for you to find.
Researching and Applying for Scholarships
Our NSHSS blog is loaded with useful articles about scholarships. Here are a few to get you started:
NSHSS Scholarships
The first place you should look for scholarships is right here at NSHSS. We offer over $2.5 million in awards to promising students every year.
You can learn about all these opportunities on our NSHSS Scholarships page.
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.