5 Ways To Help Your Child Apply For Scholarships

College is expensive, and scholarships are one of the best ways to help your child pay for higher education costs. However, applying for scholarships can be long and arduous, so it’s essential to help your child prepare properly. Dennis Bonnen shares five tips to make the scholarship application process easier for you and your child.

Research Early And Thoroughly

Researching potential scholarships should be one of the first steps in the application process. Start by checking with your child’s college or university, as they may offer scholarships specifically for students at their institution. You can also search online for private organizations that provide scholarship opportunities.

Determine which scholarships your child is eligible for. Most scholarships require specific criteria that must be met, such as GPA requirements or community service hours. Researching each potential scholarship’s eligibility requirements helps narrow down options. Take time to look through all available options and create a comprehensive list of possibilities for your child to consider.

Encourage Your Child To Start Early

Many scholarships have deadlines months before college classes start, so encourage your child to begin working on applications as soon as possible. They should leave themselves plenty of time to create a good portfolio and write quality essays that showcase their achievements, goals, and personality. If possible, have them apply multiple months before any given deadline in case there are any problems or delays along the way.

 

Help Review Applications Before Submission

Once your child has finished their scholarship applications, take some time to review everything with them before they submit anything. Make sure their essays are free from typos and mistakes, double-check that all requested information is included, and ensure that any accompanying documents meet all requirements.

You may also want to ask someone else (like an English teacher or guidance counselor) to read over the applications before submission, just in case you missed something during your review. An extra pair of eyes, ones experienced in college applications, can help ensure nothing is amiss.

Create A Portfolio Of Achievements And Goals

One way you can help increase your child’s chances of winning a scholarship is by assisting them in creating a portfolio that outlines all their academic accomplishments. You should also include any awards or recognitions they may have received recently. The portfolio can help show selection committees why your child deserves

the scholarship. Remember that hundreds (or even thousands) of other students may also be vying for those same funds - so your child's application should stand out from the rest.

In addition, having an organized list of future goals will demonstrate their commitment towards pursuing higher education—which is often an important factor when awarding scholarships—so include those as well if applicable.

 

Offer Moral Support Along The Way

Applying for scholarships can be exhausting, so remember to show understanding and support throughout the process. It could make all the difference. Celebrate any small victories along the way—such as finishing an essay or submitting an application—and don’t forget to keep things lighthearted when needed too. It’s ok if not every application succeeds. Remind your child that not everyone receives a scholarship but remind them how proud you are of them no matter what happens in the end.

Conclusion

Applying for scholarships doesn't have to be overwhelming. Dennis Bonnen says that with proper planning and preparation ahead of time, it can be manageable, even enjoyable. As parents, we understand how important it is for our children's future success, so taking advantage of every opportunity out there is key. Hopefully, these five tips can make applying for scholarships easy and will help your child get selected for one.