Incentives for scholarship apps

Paying for College
1

<p>Im a parent that has money set aside for my sons college. While we wont likely qualify for much in the way of need based aid, i would like encourage my kids to apply for scholarships and am looking for incentives for them to do so. </p>

<p>Has anyone else done something like this ? Im thinking of something like $25 per scholarship app submitted. The idea is that i (we) will make our money back in scholarship awards. </p>

<p>Does anyone have an idea on how many scholarship applications a student can generate and the yield on awards ? One in 30? one in 60?</p>

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<p>You’re going to lose money.</p>

<p>Why not take a look at some of the ideas in [this</a> thread](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1332757-splitting-cost-college-w-your-child-parents-seeking-your-advice.html]this”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1332757-splitting-cost-college-w-your-child-parents-seeking-your-advice.html) instead?</p>

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<p>I have heard of parents giving the kid the actual money he or she earns for those scholarships. As dodgersmom says, chances of getting any of those scholarships are slim. My DD completed three applications before she decided to accept a full tuition scholarship. She was not awarded any of the three and I was really happy that I had not pushed her to do more at a time when she was stretched to her limit.</p>

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<p>This isn’t a good idea for a few reasons…</p>

<p>1) private scholarships are VERY hard to get and are often ONLY for frosh year and for small amounts.</p>

<p>2) Many kids have posted that they applied to MANY private scholarships and didn’t get ANY.</p>

<p>3) Many private scholarships that are “easier” to win are very specialized…minority status, certain majors, low income, etc.</p>

<p>I don’t understand the waste of time applying to lots of private scholarships. If you want merit scholarships, then apply to the SCHOOLS that give them. Those are easier to get and usually for ALL FOUR YEARS.</p>

<p>While we wont likely qualify for much in the way of need based aid,</p>

<p>Those little private scholarships will just go towards “need” and won’t reduce your EFC. If you want to reduce your EFC then apply to schools that give LARGE merit that will cover all of “need” and THEN cut into EFC.</p>

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<p>I think mom2ck is absolutely right. Sadly, the presentations to parents at my child’s school pushed private scholarships, saying there’s lots of money out there. I suppose there is lots of money, but lots of applicants too. Like MD Mom and her DD, we went a little way down that road then concluded it wasn’t worth the effort.</p>