It can be a daunting task to explore and understand the world of scholarships as a parent and a student. A scholarship is an award that assists students to pay for education and can vary in amount(s) and criteria for qualifying. And there are numerous platforms to obtain one. Confused? Yes, we know.
We asked our experts… our friends at The Scholarship Plug to help us understand.
What resources are available when looking for scholarships? Where do you start?
Great question, there are so many resources available. Now more than ever the virtual space is rich with information and resources. Start with social media, such as @Scholarshipmoneyforstudents on Instagram. Name a platform, Facebook, Tik Tok, Snapchat, etc. scholarship opportunities are being shared (The Scholarship Plug shares on all these platforms).
We teach students to be intentional about their search on social media, we understand the social aspect of social media however let’s carve some time to keep it business…scholarship business to pay for school that is ?. Second, definitely schedule an appointment with your School Counselor or School College Advisor for the available scholarships specific for students at your school. Third, learn about the local community foundations that raise funds to support students with scholarships.
Contact your district/county or even your state’s education department. They will be equipped with information that will help you. When in doubt, you can always contact us ? www.thescholarshipplug.com.
Who qualifies for a scholarship?
Scholarship eligibility varies. There is a student scholarship for every skill, interest, and academic merit. From grade point average, nationality, involvement, leadership, city of residency, admission term, the list goes on and on!!!
How should a prospective college student make their application stand out?
A student must ensure that they meet the minimum requirements for admissions (not to be confused with the average accepted requirements from prior years).
If the prospective college requires an essay, then the essay plays a huge roll in the admissions decision. The essay is the student’s opportunity to connect with the reader and to share your voice!
How do students know which and how many to apply to?
The scholarship application process is not as easy as it sounds. Students should apply to those scholarship programs in which they qualify for and keep going! What’s most important is to be prepared for the process (See eBook: How to Apply for Scholarships in 5 Easy Steps) The Scholarship Plug has The 100 Scholarship challenge to encourage students not to stop at 1 or 2 or 10 scholarships but to apply for a grand 100 without looking back!!! Now we are talking, before you know it, the student will start receiving notification of award-winning scholarships to pay for their post-secondary education.
We are also happy to share that we are challenging 100 businesses to create scholarship programs for students. We help them get started and help administer the program! Any interested business can contact us at [email protected] or by visiting us at www.thescholarshipplug.com.
Does an online presence matter? Will organizations look at the student’s social media?
Online presence “ALWAYS” matters. Even if that particular scholarship program is not initially looking at a student’s social media page(s), a student never knows if they will be selected from that same pool of student applicants for a prospective internship or job or even better an affiliate scholarship program. At that point, it is not uncommon that the scholarship committee takes it a step further and does more reach about you on social media (Facebook, Instagram, and Tik Tok especially).
What are the typical questions asks in scholarship applications?
Typical questions include general questions such as your full name, contact information, and grade. Then they will ask questions based on their program eligibility requirements such as your grade point average, number of service hours, your nationality or race, area of residence, major, etc.
Shedly Casseus Parnther is an award-winning College & Scholarship Advisor. Shedly is the Producer & Author of The Scholarship Plug, she is also a Broward County Proclamation recipient, making July 25th officially – The Scholarship Plug Day! Mrs. Parnther is dedicated to helping students and families understand that college is attainable despite the stigma it gets around affordability, Shedly encourages students to apply to as many scholarships through the 100 Scholarship Challenge.
Commonly known as “The Scholarship Plug, ” her program brings awareness to students about available scholarships, student programs, jobs, test information, important deadlines, and community events, career tips, and more she does this through social media, community workshops, her YouTube channel, and her book “How to Apply for Scholarships in 5 Easy Steps.”
The Scholarship Plug has garnered major support from students, families, and the community. Pursuing your education is the only way! Whether you want to go to a trade college for 2 months, or a university for 12 years or even start a business…education is always the key to success now let’s learn how to get the funds to pay for it!
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