10 Hidden Scholarships You Didn’t Know About (and How to Apply)

The pursuit of higher education comes with a hefty price tag. But what if I told you that there are countless financial aid opportunities hidden in plain sight?

This article will explore 9 lesser-known scholarships and provide valuable scholarship search tips to help you unlock funding for your academic journey.

Niche Scholarships:

Focus on your passions: Are you a passionate gamer? A budding artist? A dedicated animal lover? Many organizations offer scholarships specifically for students with unique interests and hobbies. For example, the National Marbles Tournament awards scholarships to young marble champions.
Explore your heritage: Consider scholarships based on your ethnicity, nationality, or ancestry. Organizations like the Italian Sons and Daughters of America offer scholarships to students of Italian descent.
Consider your community: Local businesses, civic organizations, and even religious institutions often offer scholarships to students within their communities.

Unique Scholarship Databases:

Unigo: This platform goes beyond the typical scholarship search by allowing you to filter by your interests, hobbies, and even your major.
Fastweb: Fastweb offers a vast database of scholarships and provides personalized recommendations based on your profile.
Scholarships.com: This website boasts a comprehensive database of scholarships and offers tools to help you track deadlines and applications.

Scholarship Search Tips:

Think outside the box: Don’t limit your search to the most well-known scholarship providers. Explore niche databases, local organizations, and even social media groups.
Read the fine print: Carefully review the eligibility criteria and application instructions for each scholarship.
Start early: Begin your scholarship search well before application deadlines. Many scholarships have competitive application processes.
Build a strong application: Craft a compelling personal essay, gather strong letters of recommendation, and ensure your application is error-free.

Leverage Your Network:

Talk to your guidance counselor: Your guidance counselor is an invaluable resource for identifying potential scholarship opportunities.
Connect with your professors: Professors can often provide insights into scholarships specific to your field of study.
Attend college fairs: College fairs are excellent opportunities to learn about scholarships offered by individual institutions.

Utilize Social Media:

Follow scholarship organizations on social media: Stay updated on deadlines, application announcements, and other relevant information.
Join relevant Facebook groups: Connect with other students and share scholarship opportunities.

Scholarships Opportunities:

The “Chick-fil-A Leader Scholarship”: This scholarship recognizes high school seniors who demonstrate leadership, character, and community involvement.
The Davidson Fellows Scholarship Program: This prestigious program awards scholarships to students between the ages of 14 and 20 who have conducted significant research projects.
The Horatio Alger Association Scholarship: This scholarship supports students who have overcome significant obstacles in their lives and demonstrate strong character, perseverance, and a commitment to service.
The Astronaut Scholarship Foundation: This scholarship supports undergraduate and graduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Conclusion

Finding hidden scholarships requires diligent research and a proactive approach. By exploring niche databases, leveraging your network, and thinking outside the box, you can significantly increase your chances of securing financial aid for your education. Remember, every scholarship you apply for brings you one step closer to achieving your academic goals.

Disclaimer: Scholarship information can change. Always check the official scholarship websites for the most up-to-date eligibility criteria and application deadlines.

How to Increase Your Chances of Getting Scholarships and Grants

Securing scholarships and grants can significantly ease the financial burden of higher education. Did you know that 25% of college students are awarded scholarships or grants?

These funds, which do not require repayment, are highly competitive but achievable with the right strategies. This blog post will provide actionable steps to increase your chances of obtaining scholarships and grants. We will cover the importance of early preparation, the need to tailor each application, and the benefits of leveraging available resources.

Key Takeaways:

Start early and stay organized to manage application deadlines effectively.
Tailor each application to meet specific criteria and showcase your unique qualities.
Leverage school resources, attend workshops, and seek professional help if necessary.

Get an early start

Start Early and Stay Organized

One of the most effective ways to increase your chances of winning scholarships and grants is to start the process early. Begin researching opportunities at least a year before you plan to attend college. This allows ample time to gather all necessary documents, write compelling essays, and meet application deadlines.

Also if you find a scholarship(s) that you may not qualify for now, then you can start to develop/augment your profile, extracurricular activities, life goals, academic performance etc to suit the qualifications of that scholarship(s). This will require time, so starting early is key.

Research Extensively

Dedicate time to researching scholarships and grants that align with your background, interests, and academic achievements. Websites like Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and the College Board’s Scholarship Search are excellent starting points. Additionally, local community organizations, businesses, and your high school’s guidance office often have information about available scholarships. Make sure to check out our College Admissions Mastery Course to fully understand how you can graduate debt-free!

Create a Timeline

Organize your efforts by creating a timeline that includes application deadlines, required documents, and submission dates. This will help you manage your time effectively and ensure you don’t miss out on any opportunities due to overlooked deadlines.

Gather Required Documents

Commonly required documents include transcripts, letters of recommendation, proof of enrollment, resumes, personal statements (explaining why you qualify for the scholarship), and financial need documentation. You will need to start collecting these early to avoid last-minute stress. Also, remember to request recommendation letters well in advance and provide your recommenders with plenty of notice and all necessary information about the scholarships you’re applying for.

Tailor Each Application

Understand the Criteria

Each scholarship and grant has specific criteria that applicants must meet. You will need to carefully read the eligibility requirements and tailor your application to highlight how you meet or exceed these criteria. Generic applications are less likely to stand out; that is why you need to do this with time and not rush the process.

Personalize Your Essays

When writing essays, avoid a one-size-fits-all approach. Personalize each essay to reflect the values and goals of the scholarship provider. Demonstrate how your experiences and aspirations align with their mission. A well-crafted essay can make a significant difference in a competitive pool.

Showcase Your Unique Qualities

Emphasize your unique qualities, achievements, and experiences that set you apart from other applicants. Whether it’s leadership roles, community service, or overcoming personal challenges, highlighting these aspects can strengthen your application.

Proofread and Edit

A polished application is crucial. Proofread all documents meticulously to avoid errors that could detract from your professionalism. Consider having a teacher, mentor, or friend review your application materials for clarity and coherence.

Leverage Available Resources

Utilize School Resources

Many high schools and colleges have dedicated scholarship offices or counselors who can assist with the application process. Take advantage of these resources to receive guidance, tips, and even exclusive scholarship information.

Attend Workshops and Seminars

Many organizations and educational institutions offer workshops and seminars on how to apply for scholarships and grants. These events provide valuable insights into the application process, including how to write strong essays and impress selection committees.

Seek Professional Help

If the process feels overwhelming, consider seeking help from a professional scholarship consultant. We can provide you with personalized advice and strategies to enhance your applications. While this service may come with a cost, the potential return on investment can be significant if you secure substantial funding, essentially, it will pay itself back and then some!!

Join Online Communities

Online forums and social media groups dedicated to scholarships can be valuable resources. Members often share information about new opportunities, application tips, and personal experiences. Engaging in these communities can provide additional support and motivation.

Conclusion

Increasing your chances of securing scholarships and grants requires early preparation, careful tailoring of each application, and leveraging all available resources. Remember, persistence is key. Keep applying and refining your approach!

Our College Admissions Mastery Course has a dedicated chapter on scholarships, among many other tips and hacks that will save you time, reduce your stress, and greatly increase your chances of financial and admissions success!

Alternative Ways to Pay for College

College Debt is everyone’s nightmare. The excitement of admissions fades one students think about how they are going to pay for college. If this is you, you’re far from alone. Even high earners believe that the cost of college is out of reach. In fact, the Institute for Higher Education Policy says that families with incomes above $100,000 a year don’t believe they can pay for upwards of 6 in 10 U.S. universities.

Even when students can afford to pay for college, they’re still likely to graduate with a mountain of debt:

The average student loan borrower leaves college today with $37,172 in student loans – more than twice the amount of 2005 grads
The average monthly student loan payment has jumped by more than $150 over roughly the same period

Scholarships & Alternative Means to Pay for College No problem, you say. There are tons of scholarship and work-study opportunities out there. You merely have to know where to look for the ones that work for you. And, to an extent, that’s true. The operative word, though, is tons. For instance, whole books have been written about the FAFSA, an often-confusing online form required to get need-based aid. Even when you think you’ve filled out everything correctly, each school uses the information how they choose.

Alternative Means Education Financing Companies.

Fortunately, there’s another – saner – way. Alternative Means Education Financing companies, such as NextGenVest, can save you time, money, and aggravation. You leverage technology and the hive mind of your peers, plus company experts, if needed, to find and take advantage of every break you can – before the decision-makers dive into your numbers. “The scholarship hunt can be daunting and overwhelming, but with organization and preparation, it’s possible. I applied to the Marshall, Rhodes, and Gates-Cambridge scholarships at one time and researched to make sure I was a good fit. This provided me with the financial means to pursue my dream by studying at one of the top universities in the world!” ~ Nadine Jawad, Rhodes Scholarship recipient and Director of College Admissions at Write Track Admissions Think out of the box, maximize your time to research all financing possibilities out there, and make sure to tap into the expertise that exists to get that life-changing and affordable degree in your hand! ~ Abhijith Ravinutala | Write Track Director of Professional Services & Graduate Admissions Expert Contact Write Track Admissions to out how you can fund your dream degree!

What are different financial aid options now that my parents may have more reduced income?

COVID-19 (coronavirus) is going to hit everyone – hard. Some may even be feeling its effects already. And amidst all the uncertainty that is brewing, the question of college may fall to the side of the road. However, it is still important to be cognizant of the impact these trying times will have on the future of your academic career. You may be wondering what options are available to you moving forward, especially now that you or your parents may have had a substantial reduction in income due to COVID-19. Luckily enough, there are plenty of options for students looking to attend college with income constraints in the wake of the pandemic.

1. California’s Free Tuition Program for Community College

As of 2019, graduating seniors having attended a high school in California, and having been accepted into one of the 115 community colleges across the state, are eligible for two years of free tuition. How does one qualify you ask? They must be first-time, full-time students (taking at least 12 units per semester). This is becoming an increasingly popular option as students look to knock out their undergrad general education requirements for free before transferring into a four year university to finish up their bachelor’s. If you are asking about why community college, check out our blog piece Should I go to community college and then transfer to a university?

2. Colleges with Free or Reduced Tuition

It sounds too good to be true, right? According to Forbes.com, there are currently 75 colleges offering free and/or reduced tuition across the United States. The list of schools runs the gamut, including top tier universities like Brown and Cornell, as well as college staples like Arizona State University and Miami University. These offerings have cropped up in light of the 44 million student debtors that collectively owe roughly $1.5 trillion in student loans. As college tuition costs continue to climb, student loan debt is skyrocketing alongside it. Many schools are offering “no-loan” financial aid packages, which aim to curtail the increasing pool of student debt, and instead seek to replace loans with grants and scholarships. Some universities require a minimum student or parental contribution (which can be met with loans), or part time employment of the student.

Student Financial Aid

The light amidst the darkness in all of this is: your financial aid options will remain the same despite many schools closing their campuses and moving classes online. Scholarships and grants are still available; in fact, even though some schools and funds are finding their awards to be limited, other institutions are upping the ante and pouring out even more money to support their students with Student Relief Funds. Furthermore, loans will still be available, and perhaps more manageable as well. According to the office of Federal Student Aid, student loan borrowers can be placed in an administrative forbearance, allowing them to temporarily stop making their monthly loan payments. If you are still concerned about your ability to fund your higher education, contact us at info@writetrackadmissions.com, and we will put you on the path to success. Aly Hartman Communications Director – Write Track Admissions

Top Medical School Application Questions Answered

by Recent Admittee to Stanford, Harvard & UCLA Medical with $1,000,000 in Funding!

The average acceptance rate for U.S. medical school is 7% and the top 10 schools average 2.5%. Without a doubt, the process is tedious and incredibly challenging! Thankfully for you, our very own Director of College and Medical School Admissions, Nadine Jawad was recently admitted to Harvard Medical School (3.8%), UCLA Medical School (3%), and Stanford Medical School (2%) where she will start this fall. And she received over $1,000,000 including the prestigious Knight-Hennessy Scholarship to fund her time as a medical school student at Stanford. As you start preparing for this long, arduous journey for medical school applications, there are some common mistakes and issues that many medical school applicants frequently face. To help, Nadine is providing responses to the most frequent questions that will help get you on the right track to a top U.S. medical school:

Where do you start with the application cycle? How do you figure it out all out? The first step is getting set-up on AMCAS and beginning a general application. This is known as your “primary.” You will need your primary statement, activities section, and letters of recommendation to complete this section. Start early! The earlier you submit your primary, the earlier you can get going on the school-specific secondaries.

What’s the key to a memorable Primary Statement? Don’t try to do too much. What we mean is this is a chance for you to build a comprehensive narrative; this is NOT a chance to regurgitate your resume. Rather, focus on who YOU are, spending time talking about your journey and pathway to medicine, and outline how your medical degree will help you complete your life’s mission. The key to a successful primary statement is nailing your narrative.

What’s the strategy for selecting medical schools? There is a tool offered via AAMC called “MSAR” that can help you select schools based on your GPA, MCAT, interests, location, etc. This is a great tool that will help you navigate through hundreds of schools and find the 15-20 schools that are a priority for you.

How do you attack secondaries? Create a spreadsheet with the following fields: name of the school (prioritized in terms of dream school to safety), location, academic requirements (average GPA, MCAT), application requirements (including secondary question prompts), date secondary received, goal date for submission. I had a rule of thumb of attempting to submit the secondary with 7-10 days of receiving it from the medical school. Of course, life may happen. For Stanford (the school I ended up going to), it actually took me a few weeks to turn it around (so don’t stress!)

What timeline is appropriate for early bird/strong applicants? I submitted my primary the first week it opened up. However, with all that is happening in the world, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Just remember, however, the earlier the better (especially for schools with rolling admissions).

Do you have any tips for the activities section? Remember to focus on the things that make you human. For example, I used one hobby in my section in addition to my other more volunteer and scientific activities. Also, you can group together activities if you need more space. For example, I merged all of my medical shadowing and volunteering experiences into one section and I explained that in the description. It then opened up the opportunity for me to describe my unique hobby.

How do you offset or mitigate a lack of research, publications or volunteer activities? Focus on the honest reality of what makes you, you. If there are other things you did like starting a business, taking care of someone in your family, or working two jobs, then these are all real-life examples that show your tenacity and work-ethic, so don’t be afraid to list them. It truly is a holistic process and not everyone has the ability to undertake those more typical medical school-oriented activities.

What’s the best approach for recommendation letters? Reach out to recommenders early, especially with the ongoing pandemic. They will appreciate it and you will feel less stressed. You may aggregate the letters on the platform Interfolio, but since the AMCAS is open, you might simply decide to go straight through the AMCAS website. However, Interfolio is a great way to store your letters for the long-term, so definitely look into it.

These are just some of the key questions you want to be well aware of so you can master the medical school application process. So please feel free to contact Write Track Admissions (info@writetrackadmissions.com) if you want more personalized help from Nadine and the team. We are ready to help you get into your top choice medical school with funding! ~ Write Track Admissions

Tag: scholarships

Key Takeaways:

Get an early start

Tailor Each Application

Leverage Available Resources

Conclusion

Alternative Means Education Financing Companies.

1. California’s Free Tuition Program for Community College

2. Colleges with Free or Reduced Tuition

Student Financial Aid

by Recent Admittee to Stanford, Harvard & UCLA Medical with $1,000,000 in Funding!

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