10 factors considered in scholarships and academic awards

Obtaining an academic scholarship takes years of preparation and drive. Universities want the brightest students to attend their schools and will offer a series of academic awards to the best qualified. Students interested in obtaining academic scholarships will quickly discover that the field is quite competitive. Scholarship committees take into account several factors, not just the academic promise of the applicant. To be considered, students must complete their scholarship applications accurately and in full by the deadline. There are 10 main factors that influence the likelihood of a student receiving an academic scholarship.

1. Qualifications: Students who have demonstrated their ability and desire to learn are likely to excel in college. The A’s are important. Any advanced class is an advantage.

2. Activities: Most schools look beyond academic achievement to find students who can bring more than book knowledge to the campus environment. School spirit and the ability to work well with others is demonstrated through participation in extracurricular activities.

3. Character: the smartest person in the room is not always the best choice for academic scholarships. Moral fiber and the ability to follow rules and regulations are also important. Decision makers look for students with a clean disciplinary record, both on and off campus.

4. Tradition: Students whose parents or siblings successfully attended school have a greater chance of being accepted and of obtaining college scholarships. There is often a place on the application to list family members who attended college.

5. Test Scores: Although some colleges no longer rely on high scores on entrance exams for admission, scholarship committees are still paying attention. Preparatory classes can help students get good grades on these tests.

6. Creativity – Those who express their ability to think outside the box can impress scholarship committees with their creativity. While ignoring the rules is not encouraged, creativity can be shown through essay responses and the types of activities and courses the student is interested in.

7. Specialty: Applicants who have chosen a specialization and field of study are more organized and mature than their competitors who have not. Students should ensure that the school they choose offers their preferred major and field of study.

8. High School: Some high schools are better than others. Colleges interested in students who receive a good education and have a strong history of success in college examine the applicant’s high school transcripts and the history of the institution. Those who attend college preparatory school may have a better established foundation for college-level courses.

9. Achievements: A common question to answer on academic scholarship applications is a list of personal, academic, and community accomplishments. Students should list all awards and honors earned, no matter how trivial they may seem. Spelling bee, science fairs, 4-H tapes, soccer championships, and student government offices are all notable accomplishments.

10. Referrals – One of the highest honors a student can achieve is a sincere letter of recommendation from a teacher, coach, or community leader. The letter should talk about the positive qualities of a student and point out why they would be a good addition to the school. The letter should also state why the student deserves the available college scholarships.