Scholarship Prep

Copyright 2025 Financial Aid Consulting. All rights reserved. No portion of this article may be reproduced mechanically, electronically, by photocopying, or by any other means without the author's permission. Howard Freedman can be reached at finaidguy@gmail.com or 781-341-0234.

Getting Started

Build a portfolio of your creative works, special projects, problem-solving skills, and initiatives. Identify leadership skills, innovations, and awards. This is also an effective motivational tool and a way to categorize the requirements for various types of scholarships.

Essay Inventory 

Write an inventory of essays about special experiences, leadership, challenges, family situations, or how you overcame adversity. Do all you can to make yourself extraordinary, as many scholarships will ask about life’s experiences and what you offer. Write them now since they may be needed later.

Broad Internet Searches

To find scholarships, perform a broad internet search using keywords. Key terms like scholarships for creative artists, writers, etc., provide a wide range of options, which you can narrow down to more selective, interesting, or less well-known scholarships.

Assertiveness

Create your scholarship by sharing your story with others. Many organizations may want to award scholarships but need help attracting the right candidates or have reasons to award one. Scholarships may not be limited to the best and brightest students but may be granted to those who have the drive and ambition, are average, or want to further their education.

Creativity

Be creative. Think of as many businesses, organizations, professionals, and specialties as possible. Local companies, alum networks, which our acquaintances know, and special needs situations. Talent, athleticism, and examples of what I mean. When I performed this exercise, I came up with at least fifteen sources of possibilities.

Use the Internet wisely. Nobody is offering free scholarships without any costs. Stick with state and federal agencies and educational sites that don’t connect to businesses or require fees. Try this one for starters

https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/scholarship-search.

Networking

Network with everybody. Include co-workers, store owners, fellow students, teachers, chamber of commerce members, or just by being friendly. It is also another way of building confidence and generating leads.

Focus

Remain focused, positive, and organized. A scholarship will eventually come your way if you create a positive image and network with those who may have the right connections or advice to lead to that treasured scholarship you deserve. 

Professional Organizations

Research professional organizations in your field or for which your background qualifies. Never ask if an organization offers a scholarship, but ask whom you should contact to apply for one. This may mean a phone call, a letter, an essay, or an opportunity to share your story about why you deserve a scholarship.

Social Media

Keep your Facebook or other social media profiles positive and professional. Focus on your accomplishments and work, as you never know who views them. Social media are powerful complements to formal applications and showcase your talents, creations, or other ways to look good.

Colleges

Ask your college admissions office how they award merit-based aid and for which scholarships you may be considered. The selection process is usually based on common information that should be familiar.

Deadlines

Keep ttrack of the deadlines and know how and when to follow up? A call or e-mail is another way of showing interest