What are the requirements for college scholarships?

I'm trying to figure out what I need to qualify for college scholarships. Are there common requirements most scholarships have? If anyone could share their experience or advice on how to best prepare, I'd really appreciate it!

Scholarship requirements can wildly vary depending on the type and provider of the scholarship. However, there are some general requirements and preparations that you can consider. These include:

1. Academic Merit: Many scholarships are based largely on academic merit. This can mean maintaining a certain grade point average, scoring high on standardized tests, or excelling in a specific subject area. Some scholarships may require you to maintain your GPA above a certain level even after you've received the scholarship.

2. Demonstrated Financial Need: Some scholarships prioritize students with significant financial need. You should be prepared to provide documentation of your family's financial situation either by the FAFSA or by other forms of financial information.

3. Involvement in Activities and Community Service: Lots of scholarships look at your involvement outside of the classroom. This might mean leadership roles in clubs, volunteering in the community, or participating in athletics or arts.

4. Specific Criteria: There are also scholarships with very specific requirements. This could be anything from planning to major in a certain field, to being a resident of a specific city, or belonging to a certain ethnic or religious group.

5. Essay or Personal Statement: Almost all scholarships require some form of essay or personal statement. This is your chance to stand out and show why you deserve the scholarship. It's important to write a compelling, personal, and well-proofread essay.

Remember, each scholarship is unique, and what is applicable for one may not be for another. Always thoroughly read the scholarship guidelines and requirements to ensure you're a good fit before applying. Moreover, start your scholarship search early as some have deadlines up to a year before college starts. Finally, don't forget to check out Appily as it's a great resource to look for scholarships based on time, eligibility and application type.