[Note: This is part three of a three part series on How to Get a Scholarship. To read parts one and two, visit Research and Planning and Choosing and Applying.]
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After researching, choosing, and applying for a scholarship, take a deep breath and congratulate yourself! Then, gear up to receive results and take the next step in your journey to college education. The good news? No matter what the results, Cappex is here to help.
After Applying
- Check to see if there is a way to track the status of your application. There might be a timeline offered by the organization to track the application process.
- Find out how the organization will notify you with results. If it’s through email, be sure to check your email (and keep an eye on that pesky Spam folder) regularly. If it’s through the US Postal Service, be sure you don’t throw out any mail that might pertain to your scholarship.
- Don’t bank on one scholarship – continue researching your options to maximize your chances of earning college funds.
Results: The Good
- Congratulations! You’ve won a scholarship!
- If you don’t know already, find out how the funds will reach you. Will it be through a check or through your university? Make sure you know how and when the scholarship will be applied so you can track the transactions.
- You basically have a first draft of a college essay written. Cool! Use it on your college applications when it is relevant.
- Start budgeting and planning how you can use your funding most effectively. If the scholarship can be applied anywhere, decide what works best for you financially.
- Try to calculate what you will still owe after using your scholarship money. Then, apply for more scholarships!
Results: The Bad
- Don’t freak out if you didn’t win the first few scholarships for which you applied. This is totally normal – you’re not going to win them all.
- Keep looking. Keep digging. Keep asking and researching opportunities. Talk to your guidance counselor if you are having trouble. They may have some secret weapons and places to look.
- Ask the organization that denied your application for notes on why you were not accepted. They might be able to offer good advice on your writing skills. It also might be reassuring to know that they just had too many applicants this year and it was only a matter of numbers.
- Don’t give up! Try filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) if you have not already.
The most important thing to remember is that time spent on scholarships is time well spent. They are terrific opportunities with many benefits. You gain experience and the good feeling of working hard towards something special – your college years!
How to Get a Scholarship: Research and Planning | Choosing and Applying | Results and Your Next Step
