Does anyone have experience applying for memorial scholarships? I've seen a few related to specific fields of study or in memory of certain individuals. How do these typically work, and where's the best place to find them?
Memorial scholarships are a subtype of private scholarships where funding comes from donations often made in memory of a particular individual. They can be related to specific fields, but not always. They can also be tied to student characteristics that resonate with the memory of the individual whom the scholarship honors. Examples can include, but are not limited to, studying a specific major, demonstrating particular interests or hobbies, originating from a certain geographical area, or having overcome specific types of adversity.
In terms of finding these opportunities, you can leverage your high school guidance counselor, who's likely to have a roster of local and regional scholarships, many of which are memorial scholarships. You should also reach out to the financial aid office at the colleges you're considering, as they often also have lists of in-house and external scholarship opportunities.
Another approach is to utilize scholarship search platforms such as Appily, Fastweb, or Scholarships.com. These sites aggregate a wide variety of scholarships from around the world and have search features that allow you to tailor your results based on your unique qualities and aspirations. You can also find memorial scholarships by doing a simple online search for those that are relevant to your field of study or related to your personal background.
When applying, make sure to carefully review the eligibility criteria and follow the instructions to the letter. Each scholarship has its own requirements, deadlines, and application process, so it's crucial to stay organized and on top of each step. It also doesn't hurt to keep in mind the person whom the scholarship is memorializing. Understanding their life, values, and interests could help you write a more pertinent and compelling application essay, should one be required.
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