I’ve been applying to scholarships like crazy, and I’ve been blessed with some funding, but overall my yield has been extremely low. I definitely went for the small and local strategy, but even when applying to many, including niche scholarships that tie into my unique extracurricular, and it hasn’t been that successful.
Now this post isn’t as much about “whine, I don’t have scholarship money,” I’m more qualitatively asking “is there a common downfall that causes students to lose out on scholarships?” At this point I’m a little confused as to what I’m doing wrong.
I know scholarships really value community service, but for low income kids like myself, some times a job is just more practical and I don’t have a parent to be driving me around all the time and racking up dozens of hours. Seeing I fared well in the college process, I don’t really understand what’s up.
Me in a snapshot:
Super low income
Got into multiple top schools, going to Harvard
ACT of 35
Super long resume (could that be a turn off–it’s two pages, but the font is pretty big I guess for a resume. It’s not a real resume, but more of a list of activities)
URM if that counts (also the myth that minorities get scholarships easier is soooo false)
High GPA with some blemishes (Could not perfect As disqualify you from consideration?)
Lots of "bad’ stuff happened to me (I’ve talked about them in a pretty neutral, non-whiny stance)
I haven’t really been emphasizing my community service/and didn’t do tons of hours to be honest, could that be all my problems?
Also I’ve been applying to both need and merit scholarships, but I think the majority of mine have been need and merit based scholarships (so they consider both).
The very best merit scholarships come directly from the colleges to which you got accepted. You chose to attend a college that does not give merit aid.
BUT.
You are attending Harvard. The school has extremely generous need based aid. Are you saying that Harvard didn’t give you a terrific financial aid package?
your full need should have been met by Harvard need based financial aid. Was it met?
ETA…I remember now. Here is one of your other threads. Your need WAS met.
So…what are you doing wrong? You have no financial need left. Applying for scholarships,with a need component are not going to net you any awards.
As noted in the other thread…between work study, and a job now and during the summer, your costs should be met.
“You have no financial need left. Applying for scholarships,with a need component are not going to net you any awards.”
These scholarships didn’t see my FA package, or knew where I was going.
Again, the thread is taking a new direction. This question is not about the quantitative aspect of scholarships, I’m asking about their qualitative nature. As in, am I not meeting their desired qualifications.
This isn’t an FA question, I’m just wondering if I’m messing up.
Scholarships are financial aid. If this is not a financial aid question, why did you post it here?
unless a scholarship specifically is awarded based on community service, your lack of community service wouldn’t matter.
My kids applied for local scholarships awarded by groups in our community. They both had modest amounts of community service, but none of the scholarships they received were based on having community service.
My guess is you just didn’t receive these awards…which are usually given to one or two kids per scholarship.
Did you get your scholarship list from your school? Were these from your community?
Also…timing is important. It is likely you were applying too soon during your junior year…and maybe too late for now.
Ahem, this is the scholarship and financial aid section. I asked because I’m asking about scholarships and not financial aid, where financial aid mainly concerns federal and institutional aid. My take at least.
You probably didn’t do anything wrong in your applications for these scholarships, but you have no idea how competitive the pool of applicants is. Also, some of the local organizations only give one scholarship per year.
Perhaps this comment isn’t very helpful, but I can sense the desperation in your posts.
Try not to do that.
If that same sense of desperation is coming across in your scholarship apps, it may be turning off the committees.
You need to be projecting confidence and competence.
But I’d also echo what others are saying. Unless you are lying to Harvard about your external scholarships, it’s difficult to see how this could be worth your while.
Haven’t you already posted on this topic?
All scholarships are competitive. Getting into Harvard doesn’t guarantee that you will also get every scholarship that you think you deserve.
Many of the local scholarships are given to students who have been involved in certain activities during high school. Church organizations, the Elks, certain ethnic groups. They may be open to applications from anyone, but if an applicant has been involved, they are going to have the upper hand. Many of the local scholarships in our area were for children of military members or students who had been involved in ROTC or Civil air patrol. Some required an essay or an art piece or photography, and those awarding the scholarships had known these kids and their work for 3 or 4 years.
Instead of just attaching a standard list of your stats and awards, why not customize the application. If it is a civic scholarship, highlight your volunteer work on a civic matter, a history prize, your interest in public service.
And you also,said you would be earning $4500 at a summer job, and had gotten $2000 in outside scholarships. I’m not sure I see your shortfall.
If a computer is what you need, go to Staples or Best Buy. You can buy a laptop for $500.
Your total billable coats are covered. Between your summer job of $4500 and $2000 in scholarships you have…plus work study during school, you should be able to cover your personal expenses.
And this is not including any contribution from your family. I would hope that since they currently buy your shampoo, tooth paste, clothes and the like, that they would continue to do so.
Please clarify where your financial shortfall is. I am sorry…but I don’t see it.