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February is the perfect time to kick off or continue your scholarship search! Whether you’re a high school senior, college student, or even a graduate student, there are plenty of opportunities to help fund your education this month.
Here’s how to find and win scholarships this February:
1. Search for Scholarships with February Deadlines
While many scholarships have fall deadlines, February also has great opportunities to apply for scholarships. You can use scholarship search engines and apps like GoingMerry, Scholarships.com, Fastweb, or Niche as great starting points. Or you can do an advanced search as outlined in Winning Scholarships for College.
2. Apply for Local Scholarships
Local scholarships are often less competitive than national ones and have higher chances of winning. Check out local businesses, community organizations, and your high school or college’s financial aid office, student support services, or career center for opportunities. See the chapter, “The Local Scholarship Search: Finding Scholarships in Your Backyard,” of Winning Scholarships for College to learn how to conduct your local search.
3. Target Special/Niche Scholarships
Do you have a unique talent, background, or passion? Scholarships exist for all kinds of interests! Whether you excel in writing, sports, leadership, or community service, there’s a niche scholarship out there for you. Examples include scholarships for students of specific ethnicities, career paths, hobbies, and more. Numerous chapters in Winning Scholarships for College address specific types of scholarships.
4. Explore Essay Contests
Many scholarship opportunities require an essay, and this is where you can really stand out! Use your creativity and make sure your essay is personal, clear, and well-written. Remember to follow the prompt carefully and showcase your passion, achievements, and goals. The Scholarship and College Essay Planning Kit can help.
5. Prepare Your Documents
Before applying, gather your materials—transcripts, recommendation chart and request letters, and your student activities resume to show involvement in extracurriculars. Having everything ready will streamline the process and allow you to apply quickly and more easily. Several chapters in Winning Scholarships for College such as “Getting Organized” and “Writing Your Scholarship Résumé: How to Stand Out and Why Grades Don’t Mean Everything” can help.
6. Stay Organized
With multiple applications to track, staying organized is key. Create a spreadsheet or use a tool to keep track of deadlines, requirements, and submission status. Procrastination is your enemy, so set reminders to stay on top of each scholarship. Go beyond texting and use your smartphone to help you stay on track. Or check out The Scholarship Monthly Planner for help managing scholarship deadlines.
7. Reach Out for Help
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, don’t hesitate to ask for help. Your school’s guidance counselor, career center, student support services or financial aid office may be able to provide valuable resources and advice for scholarship applications.
8. Apply, Apply, Apply!
The more scholarships you apply for, the higher your chances of winning. Don’t get discouraged by rejections—every application is a step closer to securing funding for your education!
Bonus Tip: Look for “No Essay” Scholarships!
While essays are a great way to stand out, there are also “no essay” scholarships available. These typically require only a quick application with a video or short statement. While they can be more competitive, they are worth applying for if you’re short on time. See “Scholarships That Do Not Require Writing an Essay” in Winning Scholarships for College for more about “no essay” scholarships.
If you need step by step guidance, attend The Scholarship Boot Camp or The Scholarship and College Essay Writing Boot Camp. Or consider The Scholarship Success Toolkit or Scholarship Workshop USB Tutorial with on-demand webinar.
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