Frequently Asked Questions About High School Scholarships

As a high schooler, you could be thinking of the next steps in your learning; going to college or university. However, higher learning doesn’t come cheap. This is where scholarships come in; they offer financial aid to meritorious students helping them pursue higher learning.

While scholarships are great, there’s a lot of confusion surrounding the whole process, from where to get these scholarships, how to apply, and more. If you are interested in learning more about scholarships here are a few helpful answers to frequently asked questions about high school scholarships. 

What kind of scholarships is available to high school students?

There are numerous scholarship opportunities available to high school students looking to continue their high school education or proceed to university or college. These scholarships offer different perks ranging from partial coverage which only caters to your tuition fees to full coverage one that caters to all your school expenses.

They can be offered by different organizations such as governments, universities, colleges, and high schools. If you are looking for a scholarship to help you continue and complete your high school education, you can apply for the Global FUTURE READY Merit Scholarship offered by GIIS. This is a 2-year scholarship available to students in classes 7 to 10.

Where can I search for scholarships?

To find scholarship opportunities that you are eligible for it’s advised to start looking at the information provided by the institution you have chosen. You can find funding information on the website of the particular university, college, or school you are looking to enroll at. Additionally, you can find this information in the prospectus along with contact information should you have more questions about the application. However, you may not have access to these scholarships until you gain acceptance into the university. 

Can I apply for an award before getting an acceptance into a learning institution?

If you are relying on a scholarship to fund your schooling, you should let the school you are applying to know your situation. While some institutions offer fully-funded awards, they require you to have sufficient funding in place in case you don’t get the scholarship. However, others allow students to apply to the school even without a scholarship on the understanding that you will inform them in case you don’t get the scholarship and have to withdraw their application due to lack of funding. However, you still have time to find alternative funding before withdrawing your application.

What are some of the scholarship myths out there?

Among the many myths out there about scholarships is that they are only available to athletes, students in great financial need, or high academic achievers. However, this is far from the truth; some scholarships have nothing to do with these qualities. These need-blind scholarships can be awarded to any student as long as you meet the selection criteria set. 

When should I start applying for scholarships?

You should apply for a scholarship as soon as you learn about it. However, you want to take enough time to create a quality application to increase your chances of winning the award. Most scholarship deadlines fall before the beginning of the next school year since most awards are given out yearly. For instance, a lot of scholarship deadlines are between January and April, so if you miss the deadlines, you will have to wait until the next election cycle. 

Can a scholarship help me study at an international school?

Yes, a scholarship can help you study at an international school. Many institutions offer scholarships to study abroad, such as the MEXT scholarships offered by the Japanese government or the 9GEMS Holistic Development Scholarship offered by GIIS. In most cases, the schools, governments, and external organizations offering such scholarships will list their scholarship opportunities online with details on how to apply along with their eligibility criteria. 

What documents do I need when applying for a scholarship?

When applying for a scholarship, you need to submit a scholarship application form along with other requisite documents. These can include copies of your transcripts, diplomas, your ID, passport or visa, a letter of motivation, recommendation letters, a resume, and your scores from taking standardized tests such as the SATs, GRE, ACT, and more.

You might also be requested to include additional documents such as writing a scholarship essay, a portfolio, financial statements, and health evaluation forms. These additional documents will depend on the kind of scholarship offered. For instance, if you are applying for an art scholarship, you will have to attach your portfolio. 

How can I avoid getting scammed?

Unfortunately, there are scammers looking to make a quick buck off desperate scholarship applicants. An easy way to tell if a scholarship is a scam is to ask yourself is the deal too good to be true? If an organization is offering a guaranteed scholarship, it’s probably a scam; no one offers you free money for nothing in return.

Additionally, steer clear of any scholarships that ask you to pay a registration or processing fee. You should never pay to apply for or receive a scholarship. To reduce your chances of getting scammed stick to official websites when looking for scholarships.