Discovering Scholarships in March
March is here, and it’s time to get serious about your scholarship search! After this month, scholarship deadlines for the more significant scholarship amounts will start to decline. Here’s how to find and win scholarships this March.
1. Look for March and Spring Semester Deadlines
Many scholarships have deadlines in March, so now is the time to get more serious about applying. 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. Don’t Miss Out on Community Scholarships
My county has at least 10 scholarships with upcoming deadlines for the end of March and mid-April. The amounts range from $500 to $2500. Community organizations, local businesses, and even churches often offer scholarships to students in their area. These scholarships tend to be less competitive, so don’t miss out on your chance to apply! Visit your school’s college and career center, financial aid office or check out your community’s website for updates. See “Finding Scholarships in Your Backyard” in Winning Scholarships for College to learn how to conduct your local search.
3. Target Scholarships for Specific Fields of Study
If you’ve decided on a major or have a particular career goal, now’s a great time to focus on scholarships for your field. Many organizations and foundations offer funding to students pursuing specific careers. Search for scholarships for your major (like engineering, healthcare, or business), and apply early! Looking for scholarships targeting specific career paths is especially important for students currently in college as a source of scholarship aid. Also, many chapters in Winning Scholarships for College focus on specific types of scholarships. You can also check out Scholarships for College Students or College Survival & Success Skills 101.
4. Consider Using Spring Break to Apply
Spring break is a great time to dedicate a few hours to scholarship applications. Set aside a day to focus on writing two basic essays. Then as the scholarship season continues, you can strategically recycle and reuse appropriate parts and pieces of these two basic essays for nearly every essay question a scholarship program might ask. The Scholarship and College Essay Planning Kit or The Scholarship and College Essay Writing Boot Camp can help. Both resources will help you write these essays. Also, consider putting together a recommendation request letter and chart, as explained in Winning Scholarships for College.
5. Stay Organized and On Track
Scholarship hunting can get overwhelming with all the deadlines and materials. Keep track of every scholarship you find, noting the application deadline, requirements, and submission status. Consider using a spreadsheet or an app to stay organized and avoid missing anything. Procrastination is your enemy, so set reminders to keep on top of each scholarship. Use your smartphone with alerts to help you stay on track. Or check out The Scholarship Monthly Planner for help managing scholarship deadlines.
6. Check for New Opportunities Regularly
Scholarship databases are updated regularly, so don’t stop searching! New scholarships for the next academic year or special one-time awards can pop up anytime. Make it a habit to check your scholarship search tools once a week to find fresh opportunities.
Get in the Scholarship Game NOW!
Start applying for as many scholarships as you can this March. The more you apply for, the higher your chances of receiving college money for your education. Don’t wait—get started now if you haven’t already.
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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