Simple Guide to Selecting & Qualifying for Scholarships

Making the decision to go back to school can be a hard one. Of course you need to make sure you have the time and space for it among your other responsibilities, but you’ll also need to get your finances in order. High college costs prevent a lot of potential graduates from making the leap to higher education, but there are many opportunities for students to find a scholarship and reduce their tuition costs. Today we’re offering you our scholarship guidance. Learn how to take advantage of the scholarships available to you to make your academic goals a reality. You may be surprised to find how many you qualify for, how simple they are to find, and how easy it is to win.

Scholarship 101:

A scholarship is a sum of money awarded to a student to help them cover the costs of tuition so they can further their education. Unlike a loan, which accrues interest and must be paid back at some point, a scholarship is not paid back and there are no associated fees to accepting it. Scholarship funding can come from governmental agencies, businesses, organizations, individuals, or universities. Because scholarship money is not paid back, there are usually requirements of the students’ academic performance in order to continue to receive funding. Most sponsors think of scholarships as an investment in the students’ future, rather than a gift. Students who receive scholarships may have to maintain a certain grade point average, contribute to the community, or commit to working somewhere for a period of time after graduation.

Qualifying for a Scholarship:

These requirements usually contribute to a students’ success, so they can also be seen as great opportunities for motivation or to gain experience. Regardless of what a student needs to do to maintain their scholarship, they’ll have to earn it first. You might be surprised to find just how easy being awarded a scholarship can sometimes be… While some scholarship applications do require academic excellence, athletic superiority, or superb writing skills, many more are awarded without much influence from the student. Depending on where you live, how old you are, your gender, military experience, family history, or your ability to complete a simple application may be all you need to qualify for a number of opportunities. Of course there are scholarships that require more work than others, however, they generally offer more money. If you’re applying for a big scholarship, get a second set of eyes on your essay, have a friend proofread your application, and ask superiors for feedback on the materials you submit. These scholarships are harder to qualify for and the sponsor will be looking closely to choose the best applicants.

Finding a Scholarship:

Naturally, a simple Google search will bring up a number of scholarship opportunities, but to narrow your focus, go directly to the source. Search your university’s website or speak with your counselor to identify the scholarships you might qualify for. You can also utilize the U.S. Department of Labor’s scholarship finder where you’ll find over 7,000 results. Filter by keyword, program, location, and award type to find exactly the scholarships that best suit you. If you’re a Colorado resident, look no further! CSU Global is currently sponsoring the Go Colorado Scholarship, or “GoCo” as we call it around campus, for the second year in a row. Part of our university mission is to enhance the quality of life for citizens in the state of Colorado by providing access to higher education. Through GoCo we’re able to specifically help Colorado students reach their academic goals.

Receiving Scholarships:

Once you’ve been awarded a scholarship, you may receive the funding in one of two ways. Some scholarships are paid directly to the student to be used on whatever education-related expenses are necessary. Others are paid to the university and directly applied to tuition costs. Beware! If you receive the funding directly, be sure to budget it until your next payment and be strict about education-only expenses. You’d be surprised how quickly some students run through the money. The GoCo Scholarship is paid to students in a unique way designed to foster motivation from enrollment through graduation. Instead of paying one lump sum, CSU Global supplements your tuition at the beginning and end of your education, when you need that extra bump.

Here’s how it works…

Qualifying Colorado residents who start classes at CSU Global for the first time beginning in December 2016 (Winter-B term) will receive funding to cover $65 per credit hour for 36 undergraduate credits, or 18 graduate credits during their degree program. The first part of the scholarship kicks in after a student has proven that they can succeed in our 100% online environment by completing their first three courses. Students receive the remainder of their scholarship at the end of their degree program, as a little extra motivation before graduation.

The Value of Scholarships:

Of course receiving funding for your education is going to make reaching your goals that much easier, but have you thought about the profound impact that could have on your life? Lea Farris is a CSU Global student currently earning her bachelor’s in accounting with the help of the GoCo Scholarship she was awarded last year. Lea was motivated to apply for the GoCo Scholarship because she liked that is was for Colorado residents-only. Of course, she also liked that it would save her about $2,300 in tuition!

“It makes me feel better knowing that I have this assistance to help pay for my education. As an adult full-time employee, education is stressful enough without having to worry about the cost. The GoCo Scholarship helped to alleviate some of the pressure of having to pay for school.”

When I asked Lea how the scholarship affects her ability to achieve her goals she responded, “It makes me feel better knowing that I have this assistance to help pay for my education. As an adult full-time employee, education is stressful enough without having to worry about the cost. The GoCo Scholarship helped to alleviate some of the pressure of having to pay for school.” The best part about Lea taking advantage of the GoCo Scholarship and earning her degree is that it’s already helped her move up in her career. She explains, “I started with the state [of Colorado] in August as an accounting tech three, a position that doesn’t require a degree. After two months I applied for the accountant position which requires a degree, or a minimum of 29 hours in accounting along with years of experience. Having just finished my 29 hours of accounting it made it possible for me to qualify for, and get, the accountant position.”

Imagine where you could be in just two months with the right education…

Take advantage of the scholarship opportunities offered to you as a motivated student looking to make your future brighter. With some of the financial burden undone, you’ll have more time to focus on advancing your education. And remember, many of these are easy to qualify and apply for. What are you waiting for?