Can you still apply for scholarships while in college?

I'm thinking ahead and wondering if I can apply for scholarships after I'm already in college. Are there a lot of opportunities for current students, and how does the process differ from high school scholarships?

Absolutely, you can apply for scholarships during college! Many organizations continue to offer scholarships to students even after they've started their college journey. Colleges themselves frequently offer departmental scholarships (like for engineering, arts, or humanities), performance-based scholarships (like for orchestra, debate team, or athletics), or other special awards. Sometimes, these are automatically considered as part of your college application, and sometimes they require a separate application. This is something you'd need to check with each individual college about.

Aside from that, many private organizations and foundations offer scholarships specifically for college students. These can be major-specific (like a scholarship for nursing students) or for certain achievements (such as community service). Some scholarships could be open to any college student, while others might only be for certain classifications (like for juniors, or for first-generation students).

The process for applying for these scholarships doesn't differ greatly from high school, in that it typically involves submitting an application with a few essays and recommendation letters. However, instead of needing a high school transcript, you’ll often need a college transcript, which you can request from your college registrar's office. Plus, the award money can go directly to your college, or it might be sent to you directly.

Remember that some scholarships are renewable, meaning if you were awarded it in high school, you might be eligible to receive it again in college if you maintain certain criteria, like a specific GPA. Always check the conditions of your scholarships to understand their renewal policies.

One word of caution - while every bit of scholarship funding helps, make sure you don’t let your coursework suffer while hunting for scholarships. Time management is key; prioritize your schoolwork and then use any additional time to search for and apply to scholarships.