Do college scholarships cover all four years?

I'm curious about how long college scholarships generally last. If offered a scholarship, is it typically for my entire college duration, or do I need to reapply or maintain certain requirements each year?

While there isn't a one-size-fits-all answer to your question because the duration of a scholarship can vary based on the type and the individual institution, I can certainly provide some general guidance.

In many cases, scholarships are renewable, meaning they can cover all four years of your undergraduate experience. However, these usually come with certain academic conditions, such as maintaining a specific GPA or continuing to major in a certain field. It's crucial to read the terms and conditions of your scholarship carefully to understand these requirements.

Some scholarships are one-time awards, provided for just your first year or for a single semester. In these instances, you'd need to seek out additional scholarships for subsequent years.

Other scholarships may require you to reapply each year. This often involves submitting an updated application, possibly with a new essay or other materials.

And some scholarships offer a certain total amount that is disbursed evenly over your four years of study, provided you meet ongoing eligibility criteria.

In any case, it's usually a good idea to continue applying for scholarships throughout your college years to help offset costs. And keep in mind that some schools offer both merit-based scholarships (based on academic or artistic talents) and need-based scholarships (based on family financial circumstances)—and the rules and duration can differ between them. So be sure to keep informed about what your particular scholarships involve.