So I’ve heard that it’s better to apply to a lot of smaller scholarships instead of a few large ones, because fewer people apply to smaller ones so the competition is less and it’s easier to get. I’ve even heard of people who end up with essentially full rides, made up from a lot of small scholarships. Is it true that this is a good strategy? What are your thoughts?
The local scholarships in my area are for $100, $250 and $500.
Good luck trying to come up with a full ride financed by the Garden Club, the Rotary, and the local association of Realtors.
Oh and by the way- these are for one year only. What happens Sophomore year?
The most generous aid comes from the colleges themselves, supplemented by the students Federal loans.
Well it’s worth a try if you have the time, and if your school doesn’t take away need based aid of an equal amount. My DD’17 won $5250 (and at community college this makes a huge dent in the tuition bill). She tried for all the local ones, the Foundation at her college, and some national ones. The national scholarship she won was targeted to her field of study so that narrowed the field and it was worth $1500, renewable annually (so $3000 for her two year program).
Who do you know who got a bunch of smaller scholarships that added up to the full cost of attendance at their college for all four years.
I say…not likely.
What IS your home state. do you have a spot in that uni? Can you afford that?