6 Ways to Increase Your Child’s Scholarship Chances
When applying for college, every bit of financial aid helps. The FAFSA is available to all students for the chance to receive a free Pell grant, but they can also earn extra funding through scholarships. How does a student earn a scholarship? The financial advisors at College Funding of Tampa Bay have a few tricks to help increase your child’s odds of earning a scholarship.
1. Have your child engage in extracurricular activities.
Many students have been awarded small scholarships just by being part of a sports or academics team, especially if their team has won a championship or competition. Those in a leadership role, such as a captain or president, are much more likely to earn a scholarship as colleges see the potential in students who willingly take on a leadership role.
2. Search for schools where your child is already ahead of the curve.
If you’re able to access the necessary information, try to have your child apply for schools where their grades are already well above average compared to other students who are also applying. This will give them the head start they need to be in the running for a scholarship. It’s like being halfway to the finish line while everyone else is waiting for the whistle to start running.
3. Step away from a bad start.
Conversely, you don’t want your child to enter a college where they are already below average. If they receive an acceptance letter just by the skin of their teeth, they’ll likely have a hard time throughout the rest of their journey. To improve your child’s odds of earning a scholarship, they should avoid starting off already falling behind.
4. Research all available scholarships in your area.
Many scholarship awards, especially ones that are recurring either yearly or monthly, are clearly advertised by the individual or organization distributing them. You can look up all scholarships within the vicinity to see their requirements and what your child can do to improve their chances. Sometimes, directly speaking with the one in charge can boost your chances by showing them a clear interest in what they do.
5. Seek out charitable colleges or universities.
Although not all colleges offer merit scholarships, some colleges are well known for their tendency to be more generous than most other schools. If you really want a good chance at your child earning a scholarship, it’s worth it to look into such institutions. You can find places like this by asking people you know who have gone to college, conducting your own research by calling around, or speaking with financial aid specialists in the area.
6. Don’t be afraid to ask for help.
Whether it be a close friend, family member, or trusted financial advisor, there’s no shame in asking people to help you search for scholarship opportunities. The more people you have looking around, the more likely you are to find what you need.
Get Student Financial Help in Tampa Bay!
Need help searching for scholarship opportunities in Tampa Bay? Call the experts at College Funding of Tampa Bay at (813) 755-6834 for a free consultation and we’ll do what we can to improve the chances of your child receiving the aid they deserve!
