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Your chance of acceptance
Duke University
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UCLA
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Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

How to Get a Scholarship for College?

I'm a junior and starting to worry about paying for college. What steps can I take to increase my chances of getting a scholarship? Are there specific scholarships I should start looking into now?

8 months ago

Finding and securing scholarships is a great way to alleviate financial stress related to attending college. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you along the way:

Research: Start off your scholarship search early. Don't wait until senior year. There are scholarships for underclassmen as well as those aimed at juniors and seniors. Some popular scholarship search sites you can use include Fastweb, Appily, and Naviance.

Meet eligibility requirements: Each scholarship has specific eligibility requirements. These can be based on your academic performance (like GPA), specific skills, field of study, community service, leadership roles, and sometimes even unique attributes, such as being a left-handed student. Make sure you fit the criteria before applying.

Create a standout application: It’s not enough just to meet the eligibility requirements; you have to make sure your application stands out from the crowd. This could mean displaying leadership in your extracurricular activities (remember the Tiers of Extracurriculars system), or writing a compelling essay that goes beyond cliche topics.

Look locally: Local scholarships tend to be less competitive because they're open to a smaller pool of students. Check with businesses in your town, local organizations, and community foundations.

Check with your prospective schools: Many colleges and universities offer scholarships for incoming students. Review the financial aid pages on the websites for the schools you're applying to and see what scholarships are offered.

Apply in numbers: Since scholarships can be highly competitive, don’t limit yourself to just a couple of applications—apply to as many as you can handle. Make sure you keep track of the requirements and deadlines to ensure each application is complete and submitted on time.

FAFSA: Additionally, don't forget to fill out your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)—this will determine your eligibility for federal financial aid, including grants and work-study opportunities which don't have to be repaid.

Remember, every bit of scholarship money you earn reduces your future student loan debt. It takes time and effort to earn scholarships, but it's a worthwhile investment in your future. Good luck!

8 months ago

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