15 Tips to Get a Scholarship for College

2. Find Scholarship Programs Offered by Local Groups and Businesses

Discovering local scholarships may take a bit more research, but it can be worth the effort. Many of these scholarships will appear in online searches or scholarship tools, but some local awards may not. Contact local school guidance counselors, community and cultural centers, chapters of larger organizations, and local businesses to ask about scholarships in your area.

3. Look Into Employer-Based Scholarship Programs

Already have a job? Before you hit the textbooks, hit the employee handbook. Search through the benefits that your company has made available to you. Some companies offer tuition reimbursement, while others offer scholarships. You can also contact your HR department for more information.

4. Find Out About Volunteerism-Related Scholarships

If you are involved in any volunteer organizations, look into what they offer members in the way of scholarships. If your favorite organization doesn’t offer its own scholarship, search the internet to find scholarships for volunteering and community service.

5. Tap Into Professional Organizations and Labor Unions

Some professional organizations and labor unions offer members and their families the opportunity to apply for scholarships. See what is available via this route; you may be surprised.

6. Inquire With Your Religious Organization

Many religious organizations offer scholarships for college students. Some of these programs may require your area of study to be religious studies. Talk with your local church, temple, or mosque, and check with your religious organization’s governing body.

7. Include Letters of Recommendation

Many scholarships require one or two letters of recommendation for you to be considered. The good news is you can use a few letters for multiple scholarship applications. Ask mentors (such as teachers or managers at work) to write you a letter, and then provide them with:

• A general idea of what you want highlighted
• Two or three specific points they should touch on — perhaps an outstanding achievement or something that relates to the scholarships you're applying for
• Your current resume so they can research what you've accomplished and include testimonials accordingly

If the scholarship directions don't request a direct reference to the scholarship, you may be able to curate a few general letters that will work for a variety of applications.

8. Apply for Scholarships With Lower Award Amounts

Full-tuition scholarships paying tens of thousands of dollars are attractive, but they're also likely to get many applicants. In your scholarship search, check out niche options with lower award amounts. There's no limit to how many scholarships you can apply for, so winning several of these can add up to a substantial amount.

9. Stay Organized With Spreadsheets and Calendar Reminders

Remembering due dates and requirements can be difficult. Use a spreadsheet to organize:

• The scholarships you want to apply for
• The requirements and deadlines for each one
• Whether you've turned in all the required materials for each scholarship

Then set calendar reminders to check on your sheet daily to stay ahead of deadlines.

10. Beware of Scams

Not every website claiming to offer scholarships is legitimate, and many request money just to proceed in the process. The Federal Trade Commission warns people to watch for the following red flags:

• Scholarship applications asking for processing fees
• Scholarship sites requiring a membership fee
• Scholarship sites offering “money-back guarantees”
• A message that you've qualified for a scholarship, but to get it, you must pay a fee

Any scholarship site that requires a fee to join or a fee per scholarship you apply for is a giant warning sign. Scholarships are generally completely free to apply for and require no fees in the process. Use the free sites recommended above to find scholarships. Before starting the application process, read through the terms to make sure no fees are required.

11. Read and Follow Instructions

While letters of recommendation may be more general, the other materials you submit for each scholarship, such as a personal essay, should be tailored to each application. Reading and following instructions correctly is a sign that you can succeed in school, but you might miss some basic cues by rushing through applications.

Submit every single material that is required for the application. Fill out all forms completely, and submit unique answers to questions. If you miss an application component, you could be automatically disqualified.

12. Put Passion Into Your Essay

Scholarship essay judges might have to read hundreds or more essays when considering candidates. Writing a unique essay can help you stand out as a scholarship applicant. While the content can be similar, grab the judge's attention by clearly and quickly stating why you're an ideal candidate for this specific scholarship. Essays that seem like they've been used over and over again aren’t likely to catch their eye.

Using the essay prompt, think about how to start off your scholarship essay. Craft an outline that addresses why you're a great candidate, and make sure to address the essay requirements for that scholarship. Use your own voice, but don’t be informal — no offensive language or slang.

Have another person review your essay. Ask a friend or loved one whose opinion you trust to proofread and provide feedback.

13. Pay Attention to Your Online Presence

Your online presence matters to employers, and it can affect your candidacy as a scholarship recipient. Get in the habit of keeping personal information private by setting your social media profiles to private and cleaning up your online reputation. Here's what you can do:

• Start with social media. Review your posts and delete or hide ones that may be considered offensive. Remove yourself from tags in other people's posts or comments you don't want to be in. If there are questionable photos of yourself on other people's profiles, ask your friends to remove them.
• Google your name and check out the results. If any sites or blogs mention you in an unflattering or false way, contact the webmaster to request a correction or removal. Set up a Google Alert for your name to monitor new content.
• Before you post anything on social media or comment on forums where your name is used, ask yourself, “Would I be OK with my scholarship judges seeing this?” If not, refrain from posting.

14. Stick to the Word Count Limits

Word count limits are a detail in scholarship applications that can be an indicator of whether you can follow directions. In some online applications, you simply won't be able to type more if you've reached the maximum word count. Check your word count before you submit.

15. Proofread

A quick scan of a college scholarship application can bring spelling and grammar errors to light. With tons of applications to wade through, a scholarship judge may simply put an application that has errors in it in the “no” pile. Don't let that happen to you. Follow these steps to reduce typos and other mistakes:

• Turn on your digital spell checker.
• Use a free grammar checker tool like Grammarly.
• As mentioned earlier, ask someone else to review anything you're going to turn in.
• Consider paying a proofreader to review several applications.

A Note About AI

Just about every organization is going to run your essay through AI detection software, and using AI is often grounds for instant disqualification. Read the fine print on the use of AI in your essay.

AI can be used ethically for brainstorming, outlining, grammar, and polishing your original work.

Other Ways to Help Pay for College

While scholarships are a great way to help fund your college education, there are other options that can help you afford college. For those who meet eligibility requirements, options can include federal and state grants, low-interest need-based loans, work-study programs, and other forms of financial aid.

Veterans, military service members, and military spouses may also qualify for military tuition assistance. Contact your school to find out whether you are eligible for tuition reductions and federal financial aid.

Learn More About Purdue Global

As you’re looking for scholarships for college, consider the flexibility of an online education and Purdue Global. We offer more than 175 convenient online programs for working adults who want to advance their careers and grow their opportunities with education.

Learn more about financial aid opportunities for Purdue Global, or request more information today.

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