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Tips to Avoid 7 Common Scholarship Application Pitfalls

By U.S. News & World Report

Winning scholarships sounds pretty easy — just apply and wait for the money to roll in. That’s not how it works, of course. But you can increase your odds of success by paying attention to detail and avoiding common problems that prompt judges to judge you — and not in a good way.

You likely already know the basics: Apply on time, complete the application, don’t make spelling or grammar mistakes and meet the eligibility requirements . E ven a stellar application from someone in Connecticut won’t win an award that is for Iowa residents.

[Explore 10 tools for chipping away at the cost of college.]

But here are seven common scholarship application mistakes students make as well as tips on how and why to avoid them.

1. Don’t wing it: One big mistake is to start applying for every award in sight. Maybe an even bigger one is applying only for one or two high-dollar scholarships.

Go into the process with a strategy.

— Many local groups offer awards — they may be small, but they can add up; plus, the competition is often lower.

— If you know your major, check out the corresponding department at your prospective school and see whether you qualify for school awards. Then, look outside your school for professional or other organizations that offer help within your major.

— Don’t count on winning that one big scholarship that will cover everything, but also don’t apply for everything in sight. Why? Scholarship application fatigue can kick in — the more you fill out, the less committed you may be to each individual application and the more likely you will be to make mistakes. Decide on the best candidates, arrange them by deadline and go from there.

[Know what to do before, during and after the scholarship search.]

2. Don’t let others do the work: Your parents may nag you about filling out scholarship applications — after all, the more money you win, the less they pay.

It may be tempting to ask your parents to fill out applications for you, but that’s a big mistake. Part of going to college is becoming an adult. Start now and take control of your future with your work.

While your parents might know the outlines of what you see as your future, they may not know the specifics needed for the scholarship application. Some scholarships also require an interview. If your parents complete the scholarship on your behalf, you could get blindsided during the interview if you’re asked about something you didn’t know was in the application.

This doesn’t mean you have to go it alone. Get input on your essay ideas and the finished product from a parent, teacher or trusted friend — or all three.

3. Don’t simply reuse essays: One essay won’t suffice for every scholarship you want. Judges can tell when you’ve just changed the names of the award on a one-size-fits-all essay.

Your essay needs to reflect you and your goals for each particular scholarship. It also provides perhaps your best opportunity to make the case that you’re a winner in general and should be the scholarship winner. Make the introduction sparkle in case that’s as far as the judges get — and don’t try to impress with unfamiliar big words that you could misuse.

If you choose to recycle an essay from a previous application that you think meets the current prompt, be sure to freshen it up. You can add a section specific to the organization offering this award, for example.

[Check out four ways to make a scholarship essay stand out.]

4. Don’t forget to check the details before submitting: For many scholarships, you can apply online or via email. But once you hit send, you can’t make changes.

If you are applying online, check that you have entered all the information correctly before you submit. If you are emailing your application, be sure you have the correct address. And always double check that you’ve entered your own email address correctly.

Also make sure your email address is appropriate — not a novelty or nickname address like pigletgirl43@hotmail.com. You can always set up a separate scholarship email. This may also be a good time to edit anything from your social media accounts that could be construed as offensive or distasteful.

5. Don’t spend money to make money: Don’t pay for a scholarship. If a scholarship requires an application fee or any other payment, it’s almost certainly a scam. And if you’re “guaranteed” an award for a payment, run from the scholarship.

6. Don’t wait until the last minute: You may pride yourself on working well under pressure, but waiting until the last minute can leave you in a bind. For one thing, you might need transcripts or recommendations — allow plenty of time to pull together all the required elements for the application. Plus, give your recommenders the time they need to write you a recommendation.

Applying for a scholarship on the day of the deadline also can send bad messages to an organization. For one, it can signal that you’re a procrastinator — remember this is your only chance to make a first impression. Or it can indicate that this scholarship is an afterthought and that you applied for more important awards first.

7. Don’t underestimate the power of a recommendation. When it comes to recommendations, choose wisely, selecting a teacher, counselor or adult leader who knows you well and can articulate your case clearly and powerfully.

Are there other mistakes you can make? Of course. But avoid these for sure and concentrate on selling yourself and setting up a successful future.

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Tips to Avoid 7 Common Scholarship Application Pitfalls originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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