Why do college scholarships so hard to get?
So I have applied to about 20 scholarships already and plan to continue…but I’ve already been denied by 7 and it’s getting very discouraging. I’ve gotten Trustees Merit Scholarships from three of my schools, but of course…they’re private and the rest is still a bit of a challenge to pay for. My family makes about 90-100,000 a year…and I understand that that might be the biggest problem for me in receiving the scholarships…but my family went from literally rags to riches. When my parents had my brother in 1982, when they were still in Vietnam, my dad couldn’t even eat because he had to feed my mom and my brother. My mom even told me that she went as far as stealing yams from somebody’s field and my brother almost died because of malnutrition. So, our family has come a very, very long way.
Another adversity is that my mom experienced a lot of domestic abuse and we all know it’s because my dad at least got a high school education and she didn’t…so he discriminates her. These reasons are why I want to go to college so bad but I don’t want to have to have my family pay for my education. Majority of my financial aid are loans.
My question is why is it so hard for me to get scholarships otherwise? I have a background a showcase a true desire for a good future, I have a 3.96, did both honors, IB, and Running Start (dual credits), been involved in four school activities and held two leadership positions in them, interned at a commercial real estate firm for 17 months, helped with my family business since I was in 8th grade, and have had my share doing work in the community.
Most of the scholarships I apply for factor in "financial need" in their considerations…but I find it so unfair that a person who tries so hard might walk into college empty handed. I also hate that the adults are always telling me "oh, there’s so much money that goes unwanted every year" or "oh, there are millions of scholarships out there, even scholarships where you’ll be awarded for liking purple" or something which is ridiculous because those statements aren’t true at all. I don’t know anyone my year that has even applied for half as much as I did…seriously.
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3 comments
rkim777 on April 9, 2010 at 11:48 pm
Generally, when anyone gives grants or scholarships, it is to help solve problems. For example, there is a need for higher education among ethnic groups who lag behind national averages in this area so there tend to be more scholarships available to them through government organizations as well as private entities sympathetic to their needs. You are in a tough category. For one thing, your family is very comfortable in terms of income, and for another you are not perceived to be in an ethnic or societal group in need of assistance. I am also Asian and am well aware of what you are going through.
There are some ethnic groups, such as Asians, who have been able to achieve more than others so we are not perceived as being high on the priority list of "needs". Perhaps the group most at a disadvantage for obtaining scholarships and grants in today’s environment are Caucasian, middle-class males since they have a tough time qualifying for any "needs" categories. It’s probably politically incorrect to state this but it is true. However, demographic factors aside, there are two main things that contribute to success when applying for scholarships and grants at your level of need: 1. That you are even applying and 2. That you meet the requirements to apply for that scholarship or grant (for example, if there is a grant only meant for people with 11 fingers on their left hand but you just have the usual 5, you will not get that grant no matter how compelling your story may be). You seem to be "smarter than the average bear" so you may have the best chance for success by looking for grants and scholarships that not only require high academic standards but also that fund your chosen field(s) of study.
I applaud you in your tenacity. Getting grants and scholarships is, among other things, a numbers game. If you apply to many sources then, assuming that your application isn’t poorly written, your chances of getting at least one grant or scholarship greatly increase. Don’t give up, just make sure you read the beneficiary rules to see if you even qualify for the grants or scholarships for which you apply. It’s best to start looking for your grants and scholarships at the local level, then move up to the state level, and finally to the federal level. A final tip is that, by law, your senator and his/her staff must help you locate programs for you at your written request. One of the links below will take you to my blog where I give a template of such a letter you can change to suit your needs and then send to your senator.
tnhbkdd on April 9, 2010 at 11:48 pm
Well, we’re in a recession.
I’m in IB, and I get straight A’s for the most part.
Hopefully I can get some scholarships.
Seriously though, don’t worry so much about it and when you’re interviewing or sending
in an application letter, just try and be yourself and talk about the most important and
exciting things about you. Be creative, and different. Colleges like that.
Max on April 9, 2010 at 11:48 pm
You can get info about such college scholarships and grants online here – schools.medianewsonline.com