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Updated March 2023
If you’re going to college next year, there’s a good chance you’ll pay at least part of the bill with a scholarship. About 73% of college students have received at least one scholarship or grant from their college, hometown organization, or national provider, according to Sally Mae.
But if you’re going back to college as a sophomore, high school student, or graduate student, that scholarship will likely be less than what you had in your freshman year—quite often the scholarships you get in high school and in your hometown are for one year. . only awards and this can lead to financial problems as you work to pay for your later years.
Luckily, your scholarship search doesn’t end just because you’ve completed your first year. Here’s our guide to finding and getting scholarships when you’re already in college.
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The college offers many new activities and this experience gives you the opportunity to look for scholarships for college students.
Participating in campus activities puts you in touch with senior students and faculty mentors who can help you get financial aid. Standing out as a leader in your endeavors – be it theatre, orchestra, Quiz Bowl or Ultimate – will increase your chances of getting a scholarship. And organizations such as the National Association for Campus Activities even offer scholarships specifically for those who dedicate themselves to extracurricular activities on campus.
Not in an organized activity? You can still benefit from participation. If you are part of the Greek system, your fraternity or sorority will most likely have National Scholarships and Chapter-Specific Scholarships. The campus and community groups often provide scholarships to outstanding volunteers and enterprising students, and the America’s Dream Award Scholarship is designed specifically for students who have overcome obstacles, completed their freshman year of college, and are facing financial hardship.
(If you’re off campus, there are scholarships available for college students online!)
Communicate with family
Going to college will have a big impact on your own financial situation and that of your family. As you think about future years, make sure you and your family agree on how much they will contribute towards your tuition and fees? If family contributions are not possible, how much of the tuition fees will you need to cover each year? Answering questions like these will help clarify the family’s financial expectations, especially in relation to your annual FAFSA, which must be completed. Every year you are in college. And those conversations early in and often during college can help you figure out what to expect.
Balance study and activity
You’ll want to take the time to look for scholarships, but that’s hard to do when a 100-page reading assignment looms large the next day. As mentioned above, participating in campus events can provide many scholarship opportunities. But if you find it difficult to combine classes and classes, there are a number of scholarship opportunities right on campus that you can take advantage of; a visit to the financial aid office (or their website) may include receiving a list of university-wide scholarships, and introducing yourself to department heads demonstrates initiative and interest in specialty-specific awards.
Juggling coursework and seeking scholarships shouldn’t be at odds – you’ll have to take on the books, of course, but that dedication can also lead to increased scholarships.
Become a student of the financial aid process
Financial aid requirements change over the years, and FinAid estimates that tuition fees increase by about 8% per year. The more you know about financial aid, the less likely you are to be caught off guard. For example, many college students don’t realize that the FAFSA is an annual requirement that must be met, usually starting October 1st, and that you will need financial assistance from your parents while you are still considered an addict.
Your parents and mentors can also help you through this process. Parent sections on college websites like StudentAid.gov and BigFuture have a lot of useful information, as do groups like College Parents of America and campus parent associations.
The fight to pay college fees is real, and it doesn’t end just because you’ve settled on campus. But the same skills that got you into college—perseverance, determination, hard work, and being able to go the extra mile in your quest—can help you find and win scholarships while you’re on campus.
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