1. Scholarships make college affordable.
If you win a scholarship, you’ll have more free money (also known as gift aid) to put toward tuition and other college expenses. That means paying less for school and taking out fewer student loans. According to How America Pays for College 2024, 80% of families say scholarships made it possible for their students to attend college.
If you need help paying for college, use free resources like Scholly Scholarships to find scholarships that can help with your situation. And be sure to file the FAFSA®—you’ll need it to qualify for most types of need-based aid.
2. Scholarships cover more than tuition
Most students use scholarship money toward paying tuition, typically the biggest college expense. But scholarships can also help cover housing, meals, and fees, as well as smaller expenses like books, supplies, and lab materials. Check your scholarship details to see exactly which expenses you can pay for with scholarship money.
3. Scholarships can help you study better
According to How America Completes College 2024, financial stress is the #1 reason students consider leaving college. One cool thing about scholarships is that they can ease that stress, giving you more time to focus on studying instead of worrying about money. You might even have less need to work part-time. And if the scholarship requires a minimum GPA, you’ll have extra motivation to keep doing well!
4. Scholarships can help you pursue your dream major.
Have you already decided on a major? Chances are you can find a scholarship for it! Many scholarships support students in specific fields of study. The Reuben Trane Scholarships award two-year, $10,000 scholarships to undergraduate engineering students. Are you a creative type? The PAVE Student Design Competition offers scholarship awards of up to $5,000 to students in design and related areas. To find scholarships by major, try Scholly Scholarships
5. Scholarships open up unique experiences.
A scholarship can be your hook up to valuable learning opportunities beyond the classroom. For example, students in the 4-H Youth In Action program receive media training and travel opportunities (and that’s on top of a $5,000 scholarship award!). To find opportunities that match your unique skills and interests, check out Scholly Scholarships.
6. Scholarships support diverse students.
Scholarships can make education possible for students from diverse and underrepresented communities. Many scholarship programs support women, minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, first-generation students, those with disabilities, and others. If you’re a member of one (or more) of these communities, search for scholarships that fit your background. You can use free resources like Scholly Scholarships to easily find diversity-focused scholarships including:
- The Lynn Bellenger Engineering Tech Scholarship, a scholarship exclusively for women, awards a $5,000 scholarship to a qualified female undergraduate engineering technology student.
- The Simmons and Fletcher Disabilities Scholarship offers a $1,000 scholarship to students with a disability who are successfully completing their first semester of college and going on to their second.
- Sallie Mae's Bridging the Dream and Completing the Dream scholarships provide awards of up to $10,000 to students from under-resourced, underrepresented, and underserved communities.
7. Scholarships are a great flex for your resume
Scholarship winners stand out from the crowd. Having merit-based scholarships in particular shows you have the talent and drive to succeed, whether in academics, sports, or leadership skills. This kind of recognition can give you an edge when you’re applying for a job or grad school. And listing scholarships on your resume or LinkedIn profile will help you stand out and impress prospective employers.
8. Scholarships can help launch your career
Getting the kind of job you want may depend not only on what you know, but who you know. That’s why it’s so important to build a network when you’re starting your career. Some scholarships help you do just that. For example, winners of the Triadex Scholarship, awarded to first-generation students in marketing, entrepreneurship, or technology, benefit from ongoing professional guidance from Triadex managers and networking opportunities with fellow scholarship recipients.
Take advantage of everything scholarships offer
Scholarships can make your education affordable, enhance your college experience, and help you build your career and professional network. So start looking for scholarships that are right for you and apply for as many as you can. Resources like Scholly Scholarships can be a big help!
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