The internet has made applying for scholarships easier than ever before. With countless scholarships available online, you can now search and apply for relevant opportunities from anywhere, at any time. If you want to know How to Apply for Scholarships Online then you will have to continue reading. We provide tips and step-by-step instructions on how to successfully apply for scholarships online.
Benefits of Applying for Scholarships Online
Applying online has made the scholarship application process much more accessible:
- Wider reach – You can access and apply to national and global scholarships easily from home. Not limited by geography.
- Time savings – Applying online is faster vs mailing paper applications. Automates applying to multiple scholarships.
- Convenience – Can work on applications in your own time with minimal effort.
- Organized process – Materials submitted electronically in organized manner. Easy to track status.
- Environment friendly – No paperwork involved, which saves paper and is good for the planet!
Step 1: Start Your Scholarship Search Early
Give yourself at least 6 months before college starts to allow time for the entire process:
- Identify relevant scholarships – Research takes time. Apply early to maximize options.
- Understand requirements – Looking ahead provides time to gather required docs like test scores, recommendations, transcripts.
- Complete applications – Drafting quality essays and submitting fully takes 2-3 months per scholarship.
Starting early also lets you request application materials you need from schools and others way in advance.
Step 2: Create an Organized Scholarship Search System
A systematic approach to your search makes managing numerous opportunities easier:
- Maintain online folders – Create Google Drive or Dropbox folders to save scholarships you intend to apply to. Have one master folder that branches into sub-folders classifying scholarships by criteria like field of study, talents, demographics etc.
- Use spreadsheet – Track details like deadline, required docs, application status in a Excel sheet. Easy to filter and identify next tasks.
- Label scholarship emails – Flag emails related to scholarships with a label for easy retrieval when working on applications.
- Bookmark webpages – Bookmark scholarship webpages rather than having scattered tabs open. Add tags like deadline to bookmarks.
Step 3: Find Relevant Scholarship Opportunities
Here are some techniques to identify scholarships you should apply for:
Use Online Scholarship Databases
Large databases like Fastweb and Scholarships.com allow you to filter and find scholarships you qualify for.
Check Out Institutional Scholarships
- Your college’s financial aid office listings.
- External scholarships listed on college websites.
- Departmental scholarships in your major field of study.
Look Locally
- Community, state government, and non-profit scholarships.
- Corporate scholarships if your parents are employed at local companies.
- Place of worship, clubs, or other organizations in your city.
Target Identity-Based Scholarships
Scholarships for minorities and groups you identify with. These include:
- Needs and merit-based aid for low-income, first-generation students.
- Scholarships for racial/ethnic communities such as Hispanic, African-American students.
- Opportunities for women, LGBTQ students, veterans, differently-abled applicants.
Leverage Employer Benefits
- Organizations like Dell Scholars Program award scholarships to children of employees at partner companies.
- Professional associations related to your parents’ industry and jobs.
Step 4: Prepare Your Application Materials
Scholarship applications typically need:
FAFSA Form
The FAFSA provides financial details to determine need levels for need-based aid.
- Submit as soon as it opens on October 1st.
- Use the IRS Data Retrieval Tool to auto-fill tax data. Reduces errors.
Transcripts and Test Scores
- Official transcripts with GPA and class rankings. Highlight advanced courses.
- SAT/ACT scores, AP exam results.
Letters of Recommendation
- Two academic and one extracurricular recommendations ideal.
- Select teachers, coaches, supervisors who know you well. Give them at least one month.
- Follow up politely to ensure they submit letters before deadline.
Activity Resume
- List extracurricular activities, leadership roles, jobs held.
- Emphasize volunteering experience and community service activities.
Essays
- Draft unique responses for every scholarship essay question. Avoid recycling old essays.
- Demonstrate who you are beyond test scores and grades using personal stories.
- Ask teachers to review your essays and give feedback.
Step 5: Submit Your Applications
Follow instructions carefully while submitting online applications:
Check Deadlines
- Note whether the deadline is for submitting the form or for receipt of supplementary docs.
- Send supporting documents well in advance. Couriers and snail mail take time.
Provide Contact Information
- Enter your phone number and email correctly. Scholarship committees may need to reach you.
- Opt into receiving notifications to track application status updates.
Upload Documents
- Scan and upload transcripts, test scores, recommendations and othersupplementary materials required.
- Ensure scans are clear and file formats and sizes adhere to specifications.
Complete Online Forms Fully
- Read instructions carefully and fill all sections.
- Enter details accurately. Cross-check for any errors before submitting finally.
Get Application Confirmation
- Print or save confirmations sent after applying successfully online.
- Keep notes if required docs like recommendations are pending from your side.
Step 6: Manage Your Applications Post Submission
Follow up diligently after you submit applications:
Track Status
- Make note of scholarship deadlines and regularly check statuses online.
- Follow up if you do not receive confirmations on receipt of supplementary documents.
Complete Pending Items
- Ensure your recommenders, schools etc. submitted required application materials on time. Politely nudge if nearing deadline.
- Quickly send any pending documents from your side.
Save All Submitted Materials
- Keep soft copies of full applications including essays, recommendations, transcripts submitted.
- Useful for reapplying or claiming scholarship funds if selected.
Thank Recommenders
- Send thank you notes to appreciative recommenders for supporting your application.
- Keep them updated on outcomes of scholarships they contributed to.
Step 7: Improve Your Odds of Selection
Beyond just applying, set yourself up for scholarship success:
Apply to Many Scholarships
- Apply to as many scholarships as feasible based on your profile and interests.
- More applications means more chances of success.
Draft Strong Essays
- Scholarship essays make a critical impact on selection decisions.
- Demonstrate who you are as a person, your values, your goals convincingly.
Present Your Best Self
- Put your best foot forward throughout the application by highlighting your strengths academically, extracurricularly and personally.
- Package yourself effectively across all parts of the application.
Secure Strong Recommendations
- Recommendation letters validate your abilities and character.
- Ensure you obtain enthusiastic recommendations from mentors who know you well.
Communicate Your Financial Need
- For need-based aid, clearly establish your family’s financial circumstances using documentation.
Step 8: Claim and Renew Your Scholarships
You are not done after getting selected!
Claim Your Scholarship Funds
- Contact the scholarship committee on next steps to obtain funds.
- Complete required paperwork and submit claim confirmation to college financial aid office.
Understand Renewal Criteria
- Many scholarships allow renewals for subsequent years if you maintain eligibility.
- Check this early so you can keep your grades up and continue extracurricular activities.
Update Scholarship Committees
- Inform committees if you switch colleges or courses of study.
- Keep them updated on your progress by sharing transcripts periodically.
Write Thank You Notes
- Send thank you letters to scholarship committees upon selection. Express your gratitude.
- Follow up with results and how the scholarship helped you complete your education over the years.
Conclusion
Applying for scholarships online has become straightforward and convenient for students thanks to online databases, electronic application materials submission and tracking systems. By planning and preparing early, conducting organized searches for opportunities, submitting complete error-free applications and following up diligently, you can strengthen your candidacy and obtain the funding essential to achieve your higher education dreams.
FAQs on Applying for Scholarships Online
What materials do I need to apply for scholarships online?
Common documents needed are standardized test scores, high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, essays, activity resume and FAFSA form details. Prepare these well in advance of application deadlines.
Where can I find legitimate online scholarship opportunities?
Use large scholarship databases like Fastweb and Niche. Also check college and local community websites. Target scholarships for identities you belong to and tap employer-related opportunities.
How do I make my essays stand out in online applications?
Focus on conveying who you are as a person using stories and examples. Demonstrate qualities beyond academics like leadership, perseverance, empathy. Ensure essays are tuned specifically to the prompt and scholarship.
What makes for a strong letter of recommendation?
Choose recommenders who know you well like long-term teachers or activity supervisors. Provide them guidance on scholarship priorities and ample time. Strong letters validate your skills, share insights on character and show enthusiasm.
After applying, how do I keep track of multiple scholarship applications?
Save confirmations received, bookmark webpages and update spreadsheet with application statuses. Follow up on required documents from others. Set reminders on deadlines. Maintain soft copies of full applications.
What can I do to maximize my chances of winning scholarships I apply for?
Apply to many scholarships relevant to you. Put your best foot forward in the application. Get enthusiastic recommendations. For need-based aid, establish financial need strongly. Write stellar essays customized to each scholarship.
If I win a scholarship, how do I claim the funds?
Contact the scholarship committee on next steps. Typically you need to submit claim forms to college financial aid office to get funds credited to tuition payments. Inform committees if you change colleges or majors.