Scholarships are financial support awarded to help students further their education. A scholarship can be awarded based on academic achievement or other criteria, such as financial need, an organization you are in, studying a specific field, being an athlete, or any other guidelines the scholarship group decides upon.
Start early if you plan on applying for scholarships. Get good grades in high school to help you meet minimum scholarship requirements and help make your application more competitive. Get involved in your school and local community. School and local community involvement shows that you are well-rounded, and students who are well-rounded have the best chance of receiving scholarships.
Scholarships Checklist: Seniors are encouraged to read Canvas messages from Mrs. Delaney for up-to-date scholarship information.
Submit college applications early. Some colleges offer scholarships with your acceptance letter based on your GPA.
Complete the FAFSA by December if possible. Colleges often use the FAFSA Student Aid Report to select scholarship recipients. Whether or not you qualified for federal aid could influence the scholarships you are offered.
Make an account with scholarship databases:
Going Merry: https://www.goingmerry.com/
Fastweb: https://www.fastweb.com/
Also, check local databases regularly because scholarships are added monthly:
Hampton Roads Community Foundation: Hampton Roads CF | Scholarships at Hampton Roads Community Foundation
Scholarship Central: https://www.vbschools.com/families/student/scholarship-central
ACCESS College Foundation: https://accesscollege.org/scholarships/
For Military Dependents:
GI Bill
Wings Over America - Children of Naval Aviators
Naval Helicopter Scholarship - Must be sponsored by a member of NHA
Seabee Scholarship - Children of the Naval Civil Engineer Corps
Dolphin Scholarship Foundation - Children of Submariners
https://www.bestcolleges.com/resources/military-dependents-scholarships/
Scholarship FAQs:
How do I apply for scholarships?
Each scholarship has its own application process. Different scholarships can require different things, such as an essay, a letter of recommendation, a transcript, or test scores. Carefully review each scholarship to make sure all required documents are submitted prior to the scholarship deadline.
Who can qualify for scholarships?
Scholarships are not only awarded to students with a high GPA. Scholarships can be awarded based on a variety of things. Regardless of whether you excel in academics or sports, you should be able to find scholarships that you are eligible for, so apply for as many scholarships as possible.
What should I do if I do not get awarded a scholarship?
Keep searching for scholarships and do not get discouraged. Students can apply for scholarships while attending college. Students can also explore other financial aid options, such as work-study programs, grants, and student loans.
For questions about scholarships, please contact Mrs. Delaney in the school counseling office at mary.delaney@vbschools.com.