How to Apply for Scholarships
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Every college aspirant with dreams of attending post-secondary school share one common goal: getting scholarships to pay for school. Entering the scholarship world can seem intimidating, but it's not! Bold.org makes the scholarship search and application process simple and easy.
You may have heard stories about many students who have graduated from college with immense debt. In recent years, the student loan crisis peaked new levels, affecting millions of people. In the United States alone, borrowers collectively owe $1.7 trillion. Though, you may also have heard stories about students graduating debt-free, thanks to scholarship awards. Scholarships are a crucial way of reducing the need for student loans.
Keep reading to find out how to apply for scholarships!
Bold.org offers a plethora of scholarships to students of every level. To start applying create your profile here!
With these 7 Simple Tips, Learn How to Apply for Scholarships
- Find the right scholarship strategy
- Browse available scholarships
- Filter through available scholarships to find the one that fits you the best
- Utilize your profile
- Put effort into your scholarship essays
- Draft and submit your scholarship applications
- When to apply for scholarships
Things to consider before applying for a scholarship
When applying for a scholarship, you'll want to keep in mind Bold.org's rules and regulations. Moreover, you'll want to carefully read all eligibility requirements for each scholarship and make sure you meet the education requirements. If you're taking the time to apply, you'll want to ensure you're eligible to receive the awards.
To fill out a scholarship application on Bold.org, you must be at least fourteen years old and in high school or some form of higher education.
Get Matched to Thousands of Scholarships
Create your Bold.org profile to access thousands of exclusive scholarships, available only on Bold.org.
Create Free ProfileAdditionally, an applicant must be attending school in the US. International students pursuing their education in the US are eligible to apply! Some scholarships are open to college graduates who have student loans.
Ultimately, before beginning your scholarship application, carefully examine all the eligibility requirements.
Learn how to apply for scholarships
Here at Bold.org it's generally easy to apply for our scholarships. Each scholarship page is simple to navigate. On the page will be an "Apply Now" button, eligibility requirements, and an overview of the scholarship. Our no essay scholarships are even more simple, all you have to do is click the apply button! For scholarships that require essays, type or paste your essay into the box before submitting the application.
In this guide, we will go through the steps you need to prepare for scholarship applications.
Step 1: Find your scholarship strategy
The first thing you should do is establish a strategy. Organization is a preliminary requirement in this process. Be sure to check with your financial aid office for scholarship opportunities. Scholarships for college students are awarded by private companies, states, schools, and organizations. Research is essential! Decide on a platform you'll be using to apply for scholarships, like Bold.org.
Bold.org is the largest independent scholarship provider in the country. Bold.org is devoted to eliminating student debt by helping students find scholarship money.
Strategy is important when focusing in on scholarships that best suit you. Check out How to Apply for Academic Scholarships for strategic tips to win an academic scholarship.
Step 2: Browse the scholarships available
After creating an account, you can begin browsing through hundreds of scholarship opportunities. On the scholarship search page, you can browse by category, education level, closest deadline, or highest amount. You can also opt to browse no-essay scholarships. You can apply for the scholarships immediately or bookmark them for later.
Creating a Bold profile is free, and new scholarships are posted weekly. Start your scholarship applications now!
Step 3: Find your best-fitting scholarship opportunities
Scholarships can be competitive due to the number of college students in search of financial aid. Finding scholarships tailored to your wants and needs will increase your chances of winning awards. Students should start their scholarship search with local scholarships as they will be less competitive and have a narrower applicant pool.
Use Bold.org's scholarship search tools to find the best scholarship awards for you.
Step 4: Utilize your profile
Making your profile unique, detailed, and personal can give scholarship donors a better sense of who you are and can amplify your applications. A polished Bold profile will increase your chances of becoming nominated for scholarships and becoming eligible for Bold Points scholarships. Earning more Bold Points makes your applications stand out. Don't just focus on applications; your profile is a great asset, especially for No-Essay scholarships.
Step 5: Put effort into your scholarship essays
Scholarship essays are common. These essays are typically short, so be sure to stay focused on the prompt to fully answer it without exceeding the word limit. Include a powerful introductory statement as well as a short conclusion. Moreover, proofread before submitting to look polished and professional.
Not sure how to write a scholarship essay? Bold.org has you covered! Check out our best tips for creating an excellent essay.
Step 6: Draft and submit your applications
Scholarships will differ in eligibility criteria; applicants must ensure they are eligible for the application to maximize their earnings. There can be significant competition for specific scholarships due to the range of applicants searching for financial relief. Before submitting applications, proofread them to ensure there are no errors and you've included related information.
Continue reading for all our application tips and tricks to boost your chances of winning free money!
Frequently Asked Questions About Applying for Scholarships
When should I apply for scholarships?
There's no "right" time to start applying for scholarships. However, if you plan on applying for financial aid, the earlier the better! The sooner you begin searching for college scholarships, the more opportunities you'll have to receive financial assistance.
Often students begin their scholarship search in high school. Many scholarships are open to all high schoolers, although many are targeted towards high school seniors. However, plenty of college students are just beginning to apply, so don't worry if you're just starting! You can apply for scholarships at any time in your academic journey. It's never too late to secure financial aid and take charge of your college education.
Peruse Can You Apply for Scholarships in College to learn more about scholarships.
What is the best website to apply for scholarships?
There is a plethora of scholarship opportunities across different platforms, however, Bold.org is a great place to begin your scholarship journey. Unlike many other websites, Bold.org is free to use and designed to be as simple as possible.
How do you get a scholarship?
To determine each scholarship winner, representatives from Bold.org or the scholarship donor will review the accepted scholarship applications. Once a scholarship fund is awarded and verified, Bold.org will provide payment of the awarded scholarship to the scholarship winner's accredited post-secondary institution to be applied toward tuition and other related educational expenses upon receiving proof of enrollment.
Now that you know how to apply for scholarships, you'll want to look into How to Prepare for a Scholarship Interview.
About Elizabeth
As the Donor Publications Lead, Elizabeth specializes in drafting and managing scholarship proposal drafts for donors at Bold.org. She leverages her firsthand experience applying for and winning scholarships and has navigated the process of taking out and paying back student loans.
Elizabeth graduated from Georgetown University with a major in English and Government with a minor in Women’s and Gender Studies and is now a J.D. candidate at New York University School of Law.
Experience
At Georgetown University, Elizabeth was a news reporter for The Hoya, where she pitched articles, conducted interviews, attended local events, and drafted content. Through college, she also worked as a tutor and served as a mentor for high school students as they applied for college. Elizabeth currently engages in legal and research writing at the New York University School of Law.
Since joining the Bold.org team in 2021, Elizabeth started as a Content Writer and has since become the Donor Publications Lead. She is an avid writer with a passion for creating scholarships for donors and crafting content that informs and assists students and young professionals. Motivated by her firsthand experience as a student, Elizabeth is dedicated to sharing her knowledge and the resources she’s discovered to help the next generation of students succeed.
Quote from Elizabeth
“Change is possible. The more people, organizations, schools, and companies talk about the student debt crisis, the easier it will be for students to find the help they need and for college to be made more accessible.”