By Lizzie Goddard | March 30, 2023, at 10:00 a.m.

Let’s talk about scholarships. When I was applying to college, I had no clue there were so many scholarship opportunities for kids.

My local school provided us with a list, but I had no clue that with just a little research, I could access tons of scholarships that I could apply for. 

High school students can find scholarships in their local community that are sponsored by local businesses or organizations.This is what I wish I knew about scholarships when I was applying to college:

How to Find Scholarships?

You are not limited to just local scholarships. There are plenty of scholarship opportunities available to you.

Yes, businesses or organizations in your community sponsor local scholarships, but there are more that many people need to be made aware of.

We can help you navigate how to find the right scholarships for you!

Factors to Consider When Choosing a College

Staying in-state might be a good choice. I loathed the idea of staying in Massachusetts for college, especially the idea of going to a state school.SAT test scores can lead to scholarships, and an in-state university can award student aid based on test scores from a high school student.

My mom tried to get me to see the benefit of attending a state school because of the scholarships I had earned through my test scores, but I did not want to hear it.

Looking back, it would have been far more cost-effective for me to attend a state school and receive just as good of an education as my private college.

I wouldn’t change the experience, but it would have been nice to make a more educated decision.

When to Apply for Scholarships?

High school students should begin applying for scholarships as soon as possible so that they have enough time to write their scholarship essays.Start researching and applying early.

My mother handed me a book of local scholarship applications months before they were due and instructed me to begin filling them out as soon as possible.

Of course, as a 17-year-old, I waited until the last possible minute to fill them out. I quickly realized that writing essays for about 6-10 scholarship applications would be impossible. 

As a result, I only had a limited amount of time to apply.

Be sure to start early. This way, you can apply to as many as possible!

How Do Scholarships Work?

Some scholarship money can be used in unique ways.Some scholarship money can be used to acquire educational materials, such as a laptop, books, and supplies; that's why it is important to understand the scholarship award letter.

After receiving scholarship offers, I started to see how much I earned and realized now that I could use the funds in ways I was unaware of. 

A portion of the scholarship money could be used to acquire your educational materials, such as a laptop, books, and supplies.

Some scholarships do not allow this, so it is best to read the fine print.

Scholarships can be a great opportunity for students. Take my advice to ensure you are all set for success along your college planning journey!

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