Last week on Instagram, we did a series on the Common Mistakes that Scholarship Foundations and Organizations make in reference to their scholarship application and
process. According to bankrate.com, nearly 60% of American families used scholarships to pay for college (2021-2022). More than 1.7 million students received a fellowship or private scholarships. (Dickler, 2020). Although this data is great, we are concerned with the estimated 40% who do not receive any scholarship.
At PreCollege Solutions, we focus on financial aspect of college prep, which includes a heavy push on getting students to apply for scholarships and providing scholarship application support. In assisting students with scholarships, here are some common mistakes we see that Scholarship Foundations or Organizations make.
Seize the 6-7 requirements for a $500-$1,000 Scholarship. If your scholarship requires a transcript, essay, activity resume, 2-3 letters of recommendation, copy of fafsa, headshot, SAT/ACT test scores, and application with short essays. This is a lot of work for a $500. Please reduce these scholarship requirements to your top 2-3 items. Your scholarship review committee will thank you and there will be an increase in applicants.
For scholarship recipients, provide a transition workshop in addition to the scholarship reception. The recipients need guidance, mentorship, especially first- generation college students throughout college. PreCollege Solutions offers workshops for all of our graduating seniors, includes laws students should know as a college student, greek life, money management, and etc.
Make your QR code and scholarship links work. Most of these students are applying for scholarship one-two weeks prior to the deadline.
This is our person pet peeve. For essay prompt, please use a prompt that you would like to would like to read and write about. Nearly 60% of students DO NOT complete scholarships due to the prompt. Two weeks ago, we were helping a student, and the prompt was the pros and cons of artificial intelligence in our society. This was not for computer/technology majors, this 700-word prompt was for every applicant. My client has been working on this scholarship essay for three weeks, because he is not familiar with artificial intelligence and does not want to finish this scholarship. Again, please create prompts that gives you the opportunity to have insight on the applicant.
If possible, try to have a college prep consultant on your scholarship review committee. We seat on 4-5 scholarship committees and are a coordinator for our local NAACP branch scholarships. The consistently changing information of fafsa, college applications, test scores, and much more helps the scholarship committee to make more sound decisions.
If your foundation or scholarship needs a company to assist with scholarship application review, evaluation your scholarship program, or scholarship workshops. Don't hesitate to contact PreCollege Solutions at info@precollegesolutions or visit our website precollegesolutions.com
