How many college scholarships can I apply for?

I'm currently a junior in high school and I'm super curious about college scholarships. Is it realistic to apply for enough scholarships to cover all my college costs? How competitive is this process?

When it comes to applying to scholarships, there is truly no maximum limit. You should apply to as many scholarships as you're eligible for, and for which you can write strong, unique applications. However, securing enough scholarships to cover all your college costs solely through scholarships can be quite challenging, given the competitive nature of many scholarships.

Scholarship competitiveness varies greatly based on several factors, including the number of applicants, the type of scholarship (merit-based, need-based, individualized criteria, etc.), and the size of the scholarship. Larger, nationwide scholarships tend to be more competitive because of the larger applicant pool, while smaller, local scholarships can sometimes be less competitive.

One key to winning scholarships is to apply broadly and consistently. Joining platforms such as Appily can help you find scholarships you qualify for. Also, focus on those that match your skills, experiences or interests closely - you might have a better shot at winning these than ones with a larger or more general applicant pool.

Also, remember to tap into institutional scholarships provided directly by colleges. These can sometimes be simpler to apply to (you're often considered for them automatically when you apply to the school) and they can sometimes offer substantial financial support as well.

Bear in mind that applying for scholarships is not a guaranteed solution to cover your college costs. It's always a good idea to have a backup plan: this could involve saving money, considering work-study opportunities, or investigating other sources of financial aid, such as loans and grants. You'll also want to fill out the FAFSA soon after it opens in October of your senior year, as a lot of need-based aid is first-come, first-served.

One last thing to consider: it's important not to let your scholarship search take away too much from other important tasks, such as maintaining your grades, preparing for standardized tests, and putting together your college applications. Try to maintain a balance in your tasks and good luck with your scholarship search!