Scholarship applications are made through an institution’s online application portal. To be eligible for a merit-based full or partial tuition scholarship, students must apply for admission to their chosen institution.
The application process is separate from the process of applying for scholarships. In addition to the general application requirements for undergraduate programs at your institution.
You must upload documents that demonstrate your financial need and academic ability.
This varies depending on your specific type of scholarship. There are three main types of merit-based scholarships that students may apply for: scholastic awards, athletic awards, and arts/humanities awards. Each program has its own set of documents that you must submit with your application.
Before you can start uploading any documents, you need to familiarize yourself with the eligibility requirements and qualifications of each type of scholarship available to you.
How to Apply for Scholarships
Scholarship applications are made through an institution’s online application. Schools have different deadlines for scholarship applications, so be sure to check the application deadlines for the schools you’re interested in attending.
In addition to your school’s application deadline, each scholarship application has a separate deadline for submitting your application documents.
Whether you’re applying to one program or a dozen, each scholarship application has its own set of deadlines and requirements.
Types of Scholarships Available
There are three main types of merit-based scholarships that students may apply for: scholastic awards, athletic awards, and arts/humanities awards.
Each program has its own set of documents that you must submit with your application. The following is a brief description of the different types of scholarships available:
– Scholastic Awards: These awards are given for academic merit, meaning that you must submit proof of your ability to succeed at a particular institution. The most common scholastic awards are grants, which are awarded based on financial need.
Other types of scholastic awards include scholarships, which are awarded based on academic ability, and fellowships, which are awarded based on exceptional extracurricular achievements.
– Athletic Awards: A large proportion of athletic scholarships are awarded based on athletic talent. Athletic scholarships may also be given based on academic ability, but this is less common.
In many cases, athletic scholarships are only granted to students who play a varsity sport on a club or intramural level.
– Arts/Humanities Awards: These are the rarest of the different scholarship types. The majority of arts/humanities scholarships are awarded based on artistic ability, though some are given for academic achievement.
Eligibility Requirements for Scholastic Awards
– Academic excellence – You must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement throughout high school and the application process for your chosen scholarships. It’s important to show colleges that you have the skills and knowledge required to succeed at their institution.
– Financial need – Most scholarships are awarded based on financial need. Colleges may award grants based on your family’s income; however, they may also award scholarships based on your ability to pay.
If you don’t have enough money to cover the cost of attendance, scholarships can be a lifesaver.
Eligibility Requirements for Athletic Awards
– Athletic talent – Most athletic scholarships are awarded based on athletic talent. Colleges may also award scholarships based on athletic ability, but this is much less common.
– Academic ability – In addition to meeting the athletic talent requirement, many athletic scholarships are awarded based on academic ability as well.
Eligibility Requirements for Arts/Humanities Awards
– Academic excellence – To be eligible for an arts/humanities scholarship, you must have demonstrated high levels of academic excellence throughout high school.
– Extracurricular activities – Many arts/humanities scholarships are tied to the applicant’s participation in extracurricular activities.
What Should be Included in the Application?
Scholarship application documents must be submitted with your application to the schools you’re interested in attending.
This may include letters of recommendation, your high school transcript, your statement, and any other items that are required for the application process.
Because athletic and academic scholarships are often awarded based on athletic and academic ability, you must highlight your strengths in your application.
As a general rule of thumb, the higher the award you’re applying for, the more detailed your application should be. A merit-based scholarship such as a $5,000 arts/humanities scholarship is much different from a $5,000 athletic scholarship.
Colleges want to see a much more detailed application for the latter.
Conclusion
If you want to apply for merit-based scholarships, you’ll need to submit your application between the beginning of the application cycle and the application deadline.
Your application must be complete and submitted on time, or it will be automatically rejected.
You’ll need to provide detailed information about your achievements and your financial need, so be sure to spend the time necessary to make your application shine.
Scholarships are based on academic merit, athletic talent, and/or artistic ability, so make sure you highlight your strengths in your application.
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