High school students can win college scholarships for a variety of reasons. So it might be tempting to fill a resume with many experiences in the hopes of catching the attention of a scholarship committee.
Instead, consider strategically making the most of your high school years. There are plenty of ways you can strengthen your scholarship applications while pursuing your passions inside and outside of the classroom. Here are four of the most common ways you can become a competitive scholarship applicant.
[Learn about seven common types of scholarships.]
1. Excel in the classroom: Your GPA and standardized test scores can attract the attention of a top college — and organizations that can help you pay for it. Like admissions offices, scholarship committees are interested in your complete academic record.
While it’s important to chase A’s, think about other ways to separate yourself from peers. You might consider taking Advanced Placement courses or serving as an apprentice to your favorite teacher.
Both could help you win a Phi Delta Kappa International scholarship, for example. The organization awards 30-plus scholarships each year between $500 and $2,000 to high school seniors and college students planning to major in education.
2. Be active on campus: You might think playing a sport helps you work toward an athletic scholarship for college. But only about 2 percent of high school athletes earn partial or full rides to compete at the next level, according to the NCAA.
Still, playing a sport or participating in other extracurricular activities is a great way to strengthen your scholarship applications by showing you’re a well-rounded teenager.
If sports aren’t your thing, you might consider participating in the school’s band or theater group; joining a club; or running for student government.
Remember to choose activities that align with your passions and goals. Strengthening your scholarship credentials should be considered a benefit, not your main motivation.
If you’re not sure about the best fit, ask for your guidance counselor’s advice. A counselor can likely also point you in the direction of scholarships that are designed for students interested in particular activities.
[Discover ways parents and counselors can help students earn scholarships.]
3. Get involved in your community: College admissions officers want to enroll students who care about their surroundings, and many scholarship committees think the same way.
By volunteering in your community, you’ll show that you think beyond yourself. You can find volunteer opportunities by searching websites like VolunteerMatch or checking out national organizations like the American Red Cross.
Your volunteering experience could help you win a national award like the one offered by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. Meant for high-performing students who contribute to their communities, the $20,000 scholarship is given each year to 150 high school seniors.
If you’re struggling to find volunteer projects in your neighborhood, consider DoSomething.org, which allows you to make an impact from your desk. Plus, you can apply for DoSomething.org scholarships worth between $2,500 and $5,000 by completing campaigns on the website. The scholarships don’t require an application and are awarded by chance, not merit.
[Learn about scholarships open to all high schoolers.]
4. Pursue work opportunities relevant to your future major: Getting a part-time job won’t just help you rack up money for college. It also could lead to a scholarship, either from your employer or from an organization that’s impressed by your work ethic.
If you work at an ice cream shop that’s a member of the National Ice Cream Retailers Association, for example, you could win one of 10 scholarships worth between $1,000 and $3,500.
By taking on a part-time job that’s closely connected to your eventual major, you can show scholarship organizations that you mean business when it comes to your future. If you hope to become an entrepreneur, for example, you might start a business in your neighborhood doing yard work or using a unique skill. After all, you don’t have to be in college to start a side hustle.
When you’re looking for ways to pay for college, you can fill the gaps with grants from your state as well as federal and private student loans. But the more scholarships you win now, the more likely it is that you’ll be able to minimize your reliance on student loans. By strategically pursuing high school experiences relevant to your strengths, passions and interests, you can increase your chances of winning scholarships.
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4 Ways to Increase Odds of Winning College Scholarships originally appeared on usnews.com
