Applying for Scholarships: How to rock your college scholarship application (2024)

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15 Summer Scholarships for Nursing Students 🧑‍⚕

LAST UPDATED May 28, 2024

Eleanna Garcia


Categories: Applying for Scholarships, Scholarship Lists

Good news for nursing students: according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment rate for registered nurses is expected to grow by 6% between 2022 and 2032. Whether you’re just starting school or you’re continuing your educational journey, know there are many scholarships for nursing students. Apply for these scholarships to help pay for your nursing degree!

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18 Ways Parents Can Help With the Scholarship Process

LAST UPDATED May 29, 2024

goingmerry


Categories: Applying for Scholarships

If you’re new to the scholarship application process, there’s a lot of uncharted territory and even the most organized aspiring college students could use a little parental assistance. To help students win awards and offset the rising cost of college education, we’ve put together a few tips on how parents can reduce their child’s workload, unspool the complexities of financial aid, and avoid stepping on any toes.

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The 17 Most In-Demand Jobs for the Future

LAST UPDATED May 29, 2024

goingmerry


Categories: Applying for Scholarships

While earning a bachelor’s degree is a step toward establishing a fulfilling and financially stable future, choosing a career path in an ever-evolving job market is just as, if not more, important. As a graduate entering a competitive workforce or a current college student trying to decide which major to choose, you might wonder which career paths are in high demand. To set you up for success, we’ve compiled a list of the 17 most in-demand, high-paying jobs of the future.

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The 20 Highest-Paying Majors in 2023, Ranked

LAST UPDATED May 29, 2024

goingmerry


Categories: Applying for Scholarships

As you prepare to declare a field of study, carefully consider your major. Ask yourself important questions. For example, what are you passionate about? Is your university known for a specific major? And, of course, how important is future earning potential? Particularly if you’re taking on student loans to afford your degree, seeking a high-paying job after college could be important to you. No matter your financial situation, we’ve put together a ranking of the highest-paying college majors to add more data to your decision.

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Should Parents Pay for College? Opposing Viewpoints

LAST UPDATED May 30, 2024

goingmerry


Categories: Applying for Scholarships

With the cost of college rising by about 7% annually, the days when students could work a part-time job to cover all their college expenses may be gone for good. Still, for many families, the question remains: should parents pay for college? Some parents would like to support their child’s college education but aren’t sure whether or not they can afford to chip in. Others might not be convinced that higher education is totally necessary, and therefore struggle to justify the astronomical cost. If you’re not sure how that affects your personal situation, read on to find out what solution might be right for your family.

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How to Win Scholarships for College: 20 Expert Tips

LAST UPDATED May 30, 2024

goingmerry


Categories: Applying for Scholarships

Scholarships are one of the best ways to help fund your college education. But unlike financial aid or grants, which award funding based on financial need, scholarships require a bit more work than just filling out a FAFSA. Most awards are merit-based, so even if you meet the eligibility requirements, you’ll still have to put in a bit of elbow grease to win over the selection committee. Fortunately, there are many ways to demonstrate merit. You don’t necessarily have to be at the top of your class to win big. All you need is to think strategically, work hard, and be persistent. To help you do just that, we compiled this list of 20 strategies for how to win college scholarships.

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24 Templates for Writing a Letter of Recommendation for a Scholarship

LAST UPDATED May 30, 2024

goingmerry


Categories: Applying for Scholarships, College Apps, Counselor

Watching your high school students get ready to graduate can be an emotional time of year for any teacher, advisor, or family friend. That’s especially true if you’re taking an active role in helping them apply for colleges or scholarships. Getting asked to write letters of recommendation can be equal parts flattering and daunting. Crafting a convincing scholarship application letter requires a unique set of skills as well as insight into a student’s personal character and academic performance. But if you write them well, letters of recommendation can set your student apart from the crowd. To help make your job easier, we compiled this list of 24 templates to help you write reference letters for need-based awards, merit scholarships, and everything in between.

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When Do You Take the SAT? A Guide to SAT Dates

LAST UPDATED May 30, 2024

goingmerry


Categories: Applying for Scholarships, College Apps

In a world where many colleges and scholarship programs still require standardized test scores, determining when to take the SAT is an especially critical part of the admissions process. While most students take the SAT during their junior year of high school, some start taking it as early as their sophom*ore year, and others keep testing well into their senior year of high school. It all depends on your test-taking goals, target universities, and current aptitude. The trick is to start taking tests early enough that you can get a little practice under your belt, but not so early that you haven’t had sufficient time to study. It’s a bit of a balancing act, which is why we created this guide to help you figure out exactly when to prepare for, register for, and take the SAT. Here’s what you need to know.

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How to Choose Colleges: 17 Questions to Ask Yourself

LAST UPDATED May 30, 2024

goingmerry


Categories: Applying for Scholarships

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the U.S. Department of Education accredited nearly 4,000 colleges and universities in 2020. With so many options, picking a school can be daunting — especially when you consider how much your choice of alma mater could impact your future. The best way to make this process easier is to break it down into bite-sized steps. So, before you make your list of schools, ask yourself these 17 questions to narrow down your options and determine which college is right for you.

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10 Reasons Why Scholarships Are Important

LAST UPDATED May 30, 2024

goingmerry


Categories: Applying for Scholarships

Scholarships are an incredible source of financial assistance for college students. Unlike loans, scholarship funds are free money. That means you don’t have to pay them back over time — an assurance that can vastly reduce financial stress and help you focus more on your studies. In fact, recent reporting from Forbes has shown that private scholarship recipients are more likely to graduate from college than those with just student loans. Financial aid and student loans are excellent sources of support, but college scholarships are one of the best ways to reduce the debt burden associated with pursuing higher education. If you’re on the fence about applying, here are a few more reasons to make scholarships part of your financial aid strategy.

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25 Scholarships for High School Seniors

LAST UPDATED May 30, 2024

goingmerry


Categories: Applying for Scholarships, Scholarship Lists

Student loan debt can be a serious burden when you’re new in your career and trying to build a life for yourself. The good news is that there are many types of financial aid that could dramatically reduce your debt before you even start college. Scholarships are one of them. Some people assume that college scholarships are just for current college students, but high school students are eligible to apply for many awards. In fact, all 25 scholarship programs on this list are geared specifically toward graduating high school seniors. Start applying now to begin your college career on the right foot.

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Can You Use Scholarship Money for Anything? Tips, Examples, Common Mistakes

LAST UPDATED May 30, 2024

goingmerry


Categories: Applying for Scholarships

The cost of college has soared over 180% in the past forty years. With tuition, room and board, books, and other education-related expenses, it can feel like expenses are never-ending. Thankfully, there are numerous scholarship programs to help you afford higher education. If you’ve applied to any of them, you’re probably wondering: Can I use scholarship money for anything? The answer is a bit complicated. But we’re here to help you make sense of it all. It’s worth noting that many awards will be paid directly to your college or university. For the others that come straight to you, check out the tips below to help decipher different scholarship rules.

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18 Types of Scholarships You’ll Find on Going Merry

LAST UPDATED May 30, 2024

goingmerry


Categories: Applying for Scholarships

A lot of students assume that if you’re not a straight-A, gold-star, super athlete, you won’t qualify for college scholarships. Fortunately, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Colleges need all kinds of students — which means there are scholarship opportunities that cater to a vast range of interests and backgrounds. Going Merry is one of the most comprehensive and user-friendly scholarship platforms out there. One thing that sets us apart is the vast array of different types of scholarships our platform offers. To give you a sense of that variety, we’ve put together this guide to the 18 different types of scholarships we offer. We have academic scholarships, athletic scholarships, easy scholarships, and everything in between. There’s a lot of free money available for higher education. Read on to learn how you could win it.

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20 Scholarships for Students from Single-Parent Households

LAST UPDATED May 30, 2024

goingmerry


Categories: Applying for Scholarships

For single-parent families that only have one income, educational costs can represent an especially significant burden. Fortunately, there are a number of high-quality scholarships that provide financial assistance to students raised by single moms, dads, or other single guardians. To qualify for many of these single-parent scholarships, you’ll need to complete the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA®) and calculate your expected family contribution (EFC) to your college education. Not sure how to begin? Use our custom tools to figure out your EFC and answer the FAFSA®’s trickiest questions. Then sign up for Going Merry to find even more scholarships specifically for you.

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How to answer “Why do you deserve this scholarship?” essay prompt (with examples!)

LAST UPDATED Dec 20, 2023

Kelly Lamano


Categories: Applying for Scholarships, Scholarship Essays

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected employment rate for registered nurses is expected to grow by 6% between 2022 and 2032. It’s always good to hear that demand for positions in your field of study is expected to increase! That means you have a better…

Read More

17 Community Service Scholarships and Grants for 2021

LAST UPDATED Dec 20, 2023

Kelly Lamano


Categories: Applying for Scholarships, Scholarship Lists

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected employment rate for registered nurses is expected to grow by 6% between 2022 and 2032. It’s always good to hear that demand for positions in your field of study is expected to increase! That means you have a better…

Read More

18 Scholarships for Students in North Dakota in 2021

LAST UPDATED Dec 20, 2023

Kelly Lamano


Categories: Applying for Scholarships, Scholarship Lists, State-Specific Scholarships

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the projected employment rate for registered nurses is expected to grow by 6% between 2022 and 2032. It’s always good to hear that demand for positions in your field of study is expected to increase! That means you have a better…

Read More

18 Mississippi College Scholarships in 2024

LAST UPDATED May 30, 2024

Kelly Lamano


Categories: Applying for Scholarships, Scholarship Lists, State-Specific Scholarships

While the average tuition for Mississippi’s public and private colleges is lower than the nation’s average ($6,612 for public and $15,042 for private), every bit of financial support helps! Check out these Mississippi college scholarships that you can apply for today.

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Applying for Scholarships: How to rock your college scholarship application (2024)

FAQs

How to ace your scholarship application? ›

Spend some time refining your written statement

Don't use words for the sake of it. You should be using no more than 1,000 words for your written statement, but keep it as concise as possible. Don't use words for the sake of it. The panel has a lot of applications to read, so the more succinct you can be, the better.

How do I answer why I am applying for a scholarship? ›

Tips to Consider
  1. Link your passions to the scholarship. ...
  2. Show your grit. ...
  3. Share what you plan to do with the scholarship award. ...
  4. Treat it like a résumé, in paragraph form. ...
  5. Treat it like a personal statement. ...
  6. Treat it like a career and/or academic goals essay.
Jun 4, 2024

What is the #1 way to increase your chances for a scholarship? ›

Apply, Apply, Apply!

The more scholarships you apply to, the better the chances that you will be accepted. They also say that practice makes perfect! Writing scholarship essays or submitting applications will become easier with time and practice.

How to answer what would winning this scholarship mean to you? ›

This scholarship would award me an opportunity to pursue the career of my dreams; a career rooted in service but threatened by a loss of altruism. My desire is to give a little bit extra and do a little bit more.

Why do I deserve a scholarship answer? ›

Talk about your Passion and Persistence

Letting your passion show through in your answer allows the committee to see your dedication. You deserve this scholarship based on your love of learning, your enjoyment of your field, or your passion for growth.

What not to say in a scholarship application? ›

Don't waste your essay opportunity to explain blemishes or deficiencies in your application. A low grade, a low SAT score or an absence or extracurricular activities is not a worthy subject for discussion in your essay. Don't appear overly idealistic.

What makes a scholarship applicant stand out? ›

Emphasize What Makes You Unique

Many scholarships are based on an applicant's individuality. Putting your unique interests and perspectives on the page will go a long way toward creating a memorable essay. Share the experiences and activities that make YOU unique.

What makes you stand out from every other scholarship applicant example? ›

Bring up something that makes you stand out from other students, especially if it's related to the scholarship you're applying for! Whether it's winning awards or competitions, being president of an organization, graduating at the top of your class, or anything else that enhances your application.

What to say to get a scholarship? ›

Scholarship Application Essay Tips
  1. Plan ahead. Don't procrastinate! ...
  2. Talk about your accomplishments. Be clear and to the point. ...
  3. State your need. What is your financial situation? ...
  4. Keep it simple. Don't use unnecessary words (i.e., don't use three words when one will do) ...
  5. Make it easy on your reader.

What are the key words for scholarship essays? ›

Look for Key Words to Use in Your Scholarship Application

Some key words to use include: academic excellence, leadership, community service, and financial need. One of the first places you can look for this information is a scholarship's mission statement.

How do you write a 500 word essay for a scholarship? ›

The format of a 500-word scholarship essay is similar to a shorter essay. Each paragraph is about 75-125 words, and it consists of 3-5 well-written sentences. If you are writing a story or personal anecdote, the formatting can be more like a novel than a news article.

How do I make sure I win a scholarship? ›

How to win scholarships: 20 top strategies
  1. Start the process as early as possible. ...
  2. Sign up for Going Merry. ...
  3. Make a list of college scholarships. ...
  4. Search for awards specific to you. ...
  5. Research local organizations. ...
  6. Reach out to your chosen colleges. ...
  7. Prioritize your scholarship list. ...
  8. Create a deadline calendar.
May 30, 2024

What 4 factors are scholarships awarded by? ›

By considering factors like academic achievement, financial need, leadership qualities, and personal statements, scholarship providers can identify deserving individuals capable of making a transformative impact on their lives and society.

How rare is it to win a scholarship? ›

Odds of Winning a Scholarship

Only about 1 in 8 college students wins a scholarship, and the average amount used to pay for college is about $4,200 a year. Very few students win $25,000 or more in scholarships each year (only about 0.1%). Among the students who win scholarships, 97% win $2,500 or less.

How can a scholarship help you? ›

If you're looking to attend a prestigious university, a scholarship can give you the financial means. Additionally, a scholarship can help you cover the cost of living expenses while you're in school. It can include things like rent, food, and books. A scholarship can also help you graduate from college debt-free.

How do you answer how you will use scholarship money? ›

Financially, you can share family hardships or goals on how you plan to use the money to help pay for portions of college – for textbooks, tuition, a laptop, or other school supplies. Professionally, the scholarship might help you pursue a degree in a field you're interested in.

How to answer a scholarship essay question? ›

Understand the scholarship's mission: Tailor your essay to align with the objectives of the scholarship. By showing exactly how you fit the criteria, you'll demonstrate that you're an ideal candidate. 2. Tell a personal story: Share an experience that's unique to you and relates to the scholarship's mission.

How do you respond to a scholarship? ›

Thank you for enabling me to pursue my dreams. Dear [Donor Name], I am sincerely honored to have been selected as a recipient of the [Name of Scholarship]. Thanks to your generosity, it has been possible for me to [explain how receiving this scholarship has impacted your college experience].

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