This paragraph serves as an introduction to your blog post. Begin by discussing the primary theme or topic that you plan to cover, ensuring it captures the reader’s interest from the very first sentence. Share a brief overview that highlights why this topic is important and how it can provide value. Use this space to set the tone for the rest of the article, preparing readers for the journey ahead. Keep your language approachable, yet informative, to create a strong connection.

A scholarship is financial support awarded to a student, based on academic achievement or other criteria that may include financial need, for the purpose of schooling.

Scholarships can cover tuition fees, textbooks, and sometimes even living expenses, reducing the financial strain on students and their families. Access to better opportunities: Winning a scholarship can open doors to prestigious universities and academic programs that might otherwise be unaffordable.

1. Merit-based scholarships

Merit-based scholarships are the best-known type of scholarship and are awarded to students based on their superior achievements in academia, art, or other similar fields. 

Beyond how well they do in school, many students excel in specific fields and show potential that can genuinely impact our society. In recognition of this talent, many institutions offer scholarships based on research, artistic, or athletic achievements. 

Thus, merit-based scholarships aim to recognise the hard work and dedication of students, motivating others to do the same. They manage to attract talent and the brightest minds among students, which leads to a competitive and high-performing learning environment. 

Merit-based scholarships can be divided into four more specific categories:

a. Scholarships for excellent academic results

These awards are given to students based on their superior academic performance. They are among the most sought-after forms of financial aid and play an essential role in giving top-performing students the resources to continue their academic pursuits. 

Common criteria to qualify include:

• Grade Point Average (GPA) scores that shouldn’t be below specified limits;
• Minimum scores for standardised tests like SAT, ACT, GRE, or GMAT;
• Course-specific achievements, for subject-specific scholarships.

Key advice: focus on your grades and keep them as high as possible. 

b. Scholarships for research achievements

Research scholarships are dedicated to students who demonstrate exceptional ability in conducting research, often leading to new findings, innovations, or contributions to a specific field.

Common criteria to qualify include:

• Original research projects or publications;
• Participation in recognised research competitions;
• Recommendations from mentors or professionals in the field.

Key advice: document everything by maintaining thorough records of your research, including findings, methodologies, and implications.

c. Scholarships for artistic achievements

These scholarships recognise students who have demonstrated exceptional talent in the arts, be it visual arts, music, dance, theatre, or other artistic disciplines.

Common criteria to qualify include:

• A portfolio showcasing your work;
• Participation in exhibitions, competitions, or performances;
• Recommendations from teachers, mentors, or professionals in the artistic community.

Key advice: Your portfolio is extremely valuable for this type of scholarship, it is your main tool to showcase your talent. Make sure it is diverse, high-quality, and up-to-date.

d. Scholarships for athletic achievements

Aimed at students who excel in sports, these scholarships are found especially in countries like the US or Australia, where college sports play a significant role in culture and community.

Common criteria to qualify include:

• Outstanding performance in a particular sport;
• Participation in national or international events;
• Recommendations from coaches or relevant sports authorities.

Key advice: maintain a highlight reel, as a video showcasing your skills and achievements can be crucial for many sports.

2. Need-based scholarships, for students with low incomes. 

This type of scholarship helps deserving students with low income get a fair shot at higher education regardless of their economic background.

Demonstrating a low income is a mandatory condition, but such scholarships often have second selection criteria, which can be one of the merit-based categories.

Need-based scholarships aim to support economically disadvantaged students and help break the cycle of poverty, offering recipients a chance to improve not only their lives but also their community.

Common criteria to qualify:

While demonstrating a low income is a mandatory condition, these scholarships often employ a second selection factor, which is typically one of the merit-based categories. 

Key advice: in your motivation letter, focus on the bigger effect your education can have on your community.

3.  Scholarships for all international students 

An increasing number of students choose to study outside their home countries. Recognising the value of this educational exchange, many institutions and organisations offer scholarships specifically for international students. 

These awards promote cultural exchange, attract global talent, and strengthen international relations. They help create a more diverse campus where you can find several cultures, perspectives, and experiences. 

Common criteria to qualify include:

• Being an international student is a mandatory condition;
• Language proficiency if the course is in a foreign language, demonstrated with tests like IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent;
• Letters of recommendation: references from teachers, mentors, or professionals attesting to your potential can be crucial.

Key advice: check all the requirements of the scholarship, not only the international aspect, and apply for those that you are most suited for.

4. Scholarships for underrepresented groups 

Scholarships aimed at minorities and underrepresented groups are instruments of change that empower people from marginalised backgrounds, allowing them to challenge stereotypes and become role models for future generations. Examples of underrepresented categories include ethnic and racial minorities, women (especially in fields where they are traditionally underrepresented, like STEM), the LGBTQ+ community, students with disability, and first-generation students.  

Common criteria to qualify include:

• Proof of belonging to a particular community, ethnicity, gender, or other specific group;
• Financial need, which is considered in many cases;
• Personal essays, the candidate’s opportunity to write about their experiences as part of the underrepresented group and their aspirations.

Key advice: Explain in your motivation letter how your belonging to an underrepresented group has shaped you and your motivation. 

5. Scholarships with a special focus

The four categories we detailed above are the main types of scholarships and the most common way of identifying financial awards for students, but scholarships can also be classified based on a specific focus. At the same time, please keep in mind that the following categories intertwine with the ones discussed already.  

• a. Location-specific scholarships. These scholarships are designed for students from a specific geographical area – be it a country, city, or a broader region. They may fall under the international scholarships category, or they may be scholarships created specifically for national or regional students in order to promote higher education in that area. 
• b. Subject-specific scholarships. Tailored for students pursuing a particular field or subject, these scholarships promote education in specific domains. Many nations offer these scholarships in subjects where there’s a shortage of skilled professionals.
• c. Programme-specific scholarships. These scholarships are related to specific academic programmes or courses, rather than broader subjects. They promote pioneering programmes by offering scholarships for newly introduced or unique programmes to attract talented students.

6. Scholarship types by awarding institution

Finally, let’s look at scholarships from the point of view of who awards them. All scholarships we’ve talked about fit into one of the categories below. However, the largest number of scholarships are either awarded either by a university or by a government. 

• Scholarships offered by universities. The criteria by which universities offer scholarships are usually academic excellence, level of study, age limit (students need to be under a certain age), nationality, programme of study, and income. 
• Scholarships offered by the government. Usually, students who receive a scholarship awarded by the government are exempt from tuition fees. Most of these scholarships last for three, six, or nine months. 

More rarely, you may also find scholarships awarded by the following bodies:

• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Non-Profits
• Professional and Trade Associations
• Corporations and Businesses
• Community and Civic Groups
• Religious Organisations
• Foundations
• Military and Defense Organisations
• Individuals
• Labour Unions
• Cultural or Ethnic Groups
• Sports organisations

7. Scholarship types by the amount of funding offered

All the scholarships we discussed until now, and regardless of who awards them, can cover tuition fees and other expenses fully or partially. These are the common types: 

• Full-tuition Scholarships: these cover the entire tuition fee for a course duration.
• Partial Scholarships: only a part of the tuition fee is covered, which could be a fixed amount or a percentage of the total cost.
• Renewable Scholarships: these are awarded yearly, provided the student maintains the requisite academic standard.
• One-time Grants: a single financial grant awarded for a specific academic year or term.

1) Research available scholarships

It can be challenging to find out how to get a scholarship for college when so many scholarships are available! Luckily, there are scholarship search engines and databases that make the process easier. Websites like Fastweb and Scholarships collect all scholarships into one database that can be filtered based on eligibility and other factors, such as grade-point average or majors of study.

• Fastweb.com
• Scholarships.com
• BigFuture.com (formerly College Board)
• GoingMerry.com
• CollegeNet.com
• Petersons.com

These scholarship sites will connect you to all the possibilities; however, identifying local, state, and institution-specific scholarships may increase your chances of winning the scholarship award. These scholarships are awarded to students who live in a specific geographic region or attend specific high schools, churches, clubs, and colleges. Since the applicant pool is smaller than worldwide or national scholarships, the odds of winning are in your favor. 

It’s important to understand how to get a college scholarship based on specific criteria. Scholarships are awarded to applicants who meet or exceed the outlined eligibility criteria in the application. Eligibility will vary by scholarship; however, standard measures include GPA, test scores, gender, race/ethnicity, household income and your background (such as where your parents work or if you are a military family).

Don’t wait until the last minute to apply! The best time to start researching how to get a scholarship for college and the many options available is between your junior and senior years of high school. Many scholarship application deadlines end a year before college begins.

2) Prepare a strong academic profile

Though you may wait until your final year of high school to learn how to get a college scholarship, you’ve been preparing for it since your first year. A strong academic profile, with a good grade-point average, class ranking and test scores is essential not only for applying to your college of choice but also for earning the scholarships to pay for it. A student’s GPA is the most common metric for distinguishing scholarship award winners.

However, it’s not all about the numbers. Taking more challenging courses offered at your high school, such as Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or dual-enrollment college classes is equally impressive. Participation in extracurricular activities, like clubs, organizations, and athletics, while maintaining a good GPA in a challenging course schedule shows you have a well-rounded and mature approach to juggling multiple responsibilities.

Finally, learning how to get a scholarship for college with the help of teachers and mentors is possible. Some scholarships require that you submit letters of recommendation from adults who can speak to your aptitude and attitude. You may ask your favorite teacher, a school counselor, a manager at your job, or a leader in an organization you work with.

3) Showcase your achievements and talents

As you research how to get a college scholarship, you’ll learn that your notable achievements and talents should be highlighted! Winning a scholarship is all about standing out amongst the other applicants. Highlight any academic awards, honors, or special recognitions you’ve earned in high school. Similarly, if you’ve demonstrated excellence in volunteer work, sports, arts, music, or other special talents, now is the time to brag!

Showcase your accomplishments in a compelling resume or portfolio. Preparing this document makes it easy to share when applying for multiple scholarships or requesting references from teachers and mentors. Remember, this is all about you and your achievements; you don’t need to be humble!

4) Write an impressive scholarship essay

Some scholarships require you to write an essay based on a specific prompt, often related to the subject of the scholarship. For example, if you’re applying for a scholarship granted to a member of your high school band, the essay prompt may be related to how music has impacted your life.

This is one aspect of getting a college scholarship that is uniquely personal to you. You will have the chance to tell a compelling and authentic personal story showcasing your passions, interests, or knowledge of a subject. There have been instances when a passionate and moving scholarship essay moved an application to the top of the stack, above other applicants with more impressive academic profiles.

When you’ve finished writing your essay, it’s wise to ask a trusted friend, adult, or mentor to proofread it. Be sure you followed all aspects of the essay prompt, including requirements like page length or document format, so you don’t waste time submitting an ineligible application.

5) Complete scholarship applications carefully

Speaking of wasting time, one major tip we give when asked how to get a college scholarship is this – pay attention to the details of the scholarship application and follow all of the instructions. In fact, read them twice (or more) and have another person look over them to confirm you’re following all instructions to a tee.

Ensure you’ve collected all the required documents and materials needed to apply. Standard documents include a course transcript, test scores, a resume or portfolio, an essay, and references. Plan to submit the application days before the deadline if you need extra time to collect additional documents.

6) Apply for FAFSA and financial aid

When you ask how to get a college scholarship, you’ll hear the term FAFSA mentioned frequently. The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a financial aid application that allows students to be considered for institutional, federal, and state aid which includes: grants, loans, and work-study. If you are a South Carolina resident, the FAFSA must be submitted by June 30th of each year to determine South Carolina Tuition Grant eligibility.  

You can earn other types of financial aid alongside scholarships, such as student loans, grants, and work-study.

• Student loans must be paid.
• Grants, like scholarships, don’t need to be repaid but are based on financial need.
• Work-study allows part-time employees to earn money through a job on campus.

Understand that your overall financial aid package cannot exceed the amount of cost of attendance, which is determined by the Office of Financial Aid.

7) Research local and community organizations

How to get a scholarship for college on a local level can be impactful if you have relationships with organizations and leaders in the community. Local scholarships from your hometown church, faith community, local businesses or organizations near you may be available. Check with your network to stay connected to opportunities that may arise locally.

Remain close with your school counselor, who may be one of the first to be alerted of new local scholarship opportunities. Your local Chamber of Commerce is also an excellent resource for finding business and organization-granted scholarships.

8) Merit-based vs. need-based scholarships

If you’re still wondering how to get a scholarship for college, you should consider merit-based and need-based scholarships. 

Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students based on academic, athletic, artistic, leadership or special-interest achievement unrelated to financial need. At Furman, students don’t apply for merit-based aid. The Admissions Office determines how much merit aid they will receive when admitted.

Need-based scholarships, however, are awarded to students with financial need. The CSS Profile is required at Furman if you wish to apply for institutional need-based aid. The FAFSA determines federal need-based aid. 

Identify scholarships that align with your strengths and your needs to improve your chances of earning scholarship money. You must provide proof of financial need and achievement for these scholarships.

9) Stay persistent and apply widely

When researching how to get a college scholarship, you’ll learn quickly that it takes time and patience. Securing scholarships requires more effort than checking a box and filling out your name. You’ll need to apply focus and hard work to increase your chances of winning scholarship awards.

Another way to increase your chances of winning a scholarship is to apply for multiple scholarships. Identify as many as possible, as long as you qualify under the requirements, and allocate quiet time to perfect your application for each one. If you qualify for many scholarships, prioritize the applications you feel most confident about winning.

Know that you will not win every scholarship you apply for – and that’s okay. Each application is an opportunity to learn more about yourself and improve your application skills. Like interviewing for a job, practice makes perfect, and you’ll find the right one.

Sometimes, the simplest moments hold the deepest wisdom. Let your thoughts settle, and clarity will find you. Use this quote space to share something inspirational or reflective, perfectly aligned with the theme of your article.

This paragraph dives deeper into the topic introduced earlier, expanding on the main idea with examples, analysis, or additional context. Use this section to elaborate on specific points, ensuring that each sentence builds on the last to maintain a cohesive flow. You can include data, anecdotes, or expert opinions to reinforce your claims. Keep your language concise but descriptive enough to keep readers engaged. This is where the substance of your article begins to take shape.

As you move toward the midpoint of the article, this paragraph provides an opportunity to connect earlier ideas with new insights. Use this space to present alternative perspectives or address potential questions readers might have. Strike a balance between depth and readability, ensuring the information remains digestible. This section can also serve as a transition to the closing points, maintaining momentum as you steer the discussion to its final stages.

Wrapping Up with Key Insights

In this concluding paragraph, summarize the key takeaways from your article, reinforcing the most important ideas discussed. Encourage readers to reflect on the insights shared, or offer actionable advice they can apply in their own lives. This is your chance to leave a lasting impression, so make sure your closing thoughts are impactful and memorable. A strong conclusion not only ties the article together but also inspires readers to engage further.