With the rise in tuition at most colleges and universities, the competition for academic scholarships is getting fierce. Are your children prepared to compete for valuable scholarships?
According to the College Board, $126 billion in financial aid was given to students for the 2008-09 school year. While much of this is comprised of need-based aid, the remaining scholarships are available to those who are willing to pursue them. Help your children prepare to compete for these valuable funds.
Put Academics First - Academics should always be the first priority. Students should take a challenging course load, study, and maintain good academic scores. Not only will high grades and AP classes place students ahead of other applicants, they'll also be better prepared for the rigors of college learning.
Get Involved - Beyond academics, many scholarships are awarded based on school and community involvement. Students should follow their interests. Are they involved in theatre, volunteer opportunities, or student government? There are hundreds of ways for children to get involved in their schools and communities.
Being involved allows students to meet Advisors who can potentially write letters of recommendation, learn of scholarship opportunities that match their areas of interest, and develop a unique perspective that may be used when writing scholarship essays, according to Scholarships.com.
Do the Write Thing - Essay writing is an important piece of many scholarship applications. Students should be true to themselves and be honest in their essays rather than writing what they think a review committee may want to hear. If your children need assistance in writing, ask Tutoring Club about The Write Way program to give them the skills they need to express themselves with confidence.
Prepare for College Entrance Exams - SAT, ACT, and PSAT college entrance exams can be very beneficial to students who score high. For example, the National Merit Scholarship Program only awards students who have scored well on the PSAT. If your children need assistance, Tutoring Club's College Prep programs can help them improve their scores and confidence by focusing on areas where they need improvement and not waste time on those they don't.
Do Your Research - Scholarships are out there, but they won't come find you. Parents should help their children review scholarships and find the ones that are right for them. If your children don't meet the requirements of a scholarship, don't waste time with it. The College Board is an excellent resource for finding scholarships. Your children's school counselor can also help them find scholarships they may qualify for.
Start Early - The scholarship application process takes time. Rushing through applications not only puts unnecessary stress on the student, it increases the chance that something will be missed or errors will be made. Starting early will give your children more opportunity to find the correct scholarships, ensure they meet the minimum requirements, have time to double (and triple) check the completed application, and meet application deadlines.
College costs may be going up, but financial options are available for those who dedicate their time to applying for them. By planning ahead, students will be prepared to reap the benefits of their hard work.
Article provided by Scholarships and the Longmont Tutoring Club
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