What's the key to actually getting a scholarship?

Question

For all the scholarships I've ever applied to, I've NEVER gotten any except for my Dean's scholarship that came with acceptance and GPA.

I am about to be over $60k in debt due to loans, I know I'll never be able to afford them after school, and I'm only going into my third year. I'm so scared.

What is the magic key to getting a scholarship?

Answer 1

Community service - the people who give out scholarships are donating their time and effort for the benefit of others.  They are more likely to give out a scholarship to someone like them.

Answer 2

It's quiet hard to tell because each scholarship provider has different rules. Maybe you can try to go to

http://all-about-scholarship.com

it's about scholarships information.

Good luck

Answer 3

Extra-curricular activities and community service.  The award that I won was with an essay where I  made myself sound like a leader, and only a few others applied for it so that's the only reason I got it.

Answer 4

High GPA (above a 3.6) and high admission test scores.

In your case, (since you are already enrolled in school) you will have best luck applying for scholarships that are based at your school.  Fast web and those other sites are great and all... but who KNOWS how many ppl actually apply to those.  Those that have a smaller applicant base will give you better odds.

Also you'll have better odds by applying to scholarships that you have some sort of personal connection to... the high school you graduated from, the church you and your family attend, your girl scout troop, you or your parents credit union, their place of employment or places you volunteer at are all agencies that may offer scholarships that never ever ever get advertised.

DON'T borrow money if you know you will never be able to afford the payments after school.  This is a very BAD idea!!!  Since you are only starting your 3rd year I recommend you transfer to a state school NOW before it's too late and you end up dropping out your last semester because you can't get private student loans anymore.

Any school that allows/costs 30K a year in student debt to thier students is not a very good school.  Sorry.