Advice for Applying to Scholarships

This depends on a multitude of factors. As a general rule of thumb, the sooner you start an application, the better. However, this timeframe can change as you become more comfortable with the application processes (and start reusing some of your essays)! 

At first, I would suggest starting each application around a month before it is due. If you use PARSE's scholarship list, I would recommend starting your applications for the upcoming season before that period begins. Allowing this extra time enables you to think thoroughly about each prompt, revise your essays, and take a step back from your work before submitting anything. It also helps with letters of recommendation. If you are a senior and asked mentors for letters of recommendation at the end of your junior year, these extra few weeks allow enough time for mentors to submit those letters well before the scholarships are due.

As you become more confident in your essay writing, you will be able to start scholarships with less notice -- around two weeks. If you find out about a scholarship close to the deadline, though, don't let a short timeframe deter you from applying! Though I do not recommend this, I started some successful scholarship applications the night they were due (but shh, that's a secret!). Beware, though, that this will affect your letters of recommendation; it is unrealistic to ask someone to submit a letter the night an award is due! Always ensure you have enough time to adequately communicate with your mentors and allow enough time for essay editing prior to submission. 

Merit-based awards are granted regardless of financial need. These are typically based on academic factors, like grades and standardized testing scores; extracurricular performance, like sports statistics and community service; or other elements, like passion for a field.

Need-based scholarships, on the other hand, are awarded based on financial need. These tend to go to lower-income individuals, and you generally have to submit financial information (such as a FASFA) with the application. However, they are not usually entirely based on need; merit-based factors, such as essays and grades, can factor into these awards' rubrics.

There are also many opportunities awarded using a combination of need-based and merit-based criteria; their award rubrics incorporate both achievement and financial need!

As you search for scholarships, incorporate a combination of need-based and merit-based opportunities that best fits your situation.

Apply anyway! 

Mentors have regularly reminded me that many awards go unclaimed. Especially at local levels, there are awards that you may be one of very few students (or the only person) applying for! You can also never really know the outcome of an application before applying; even in the most selective of situations, someone does end up getting an award -- that person could be you!

Let's take a step back and analyze an unlikely outcome: You apply to a bunch of scholarships... but don't get any. Below are some benefits that you did gain from the application process, even if you did not win any awards:

• Essay-writing skills and practice that can help you in college and beyond

• Introspection (getting to know yourself better) and increased familiarity with yourself, your goals, your passions, & your story

• Exposure to the people, companies, and networks that fund scholarships; one of these groups may become your employer someday!