5 Scholarship Myths Busted!

Did you know George Washington never chopped down a cherry tree?

Did you ever learn that Christopher Columbus did not discover America?

(Hint: it was Leif Erickson)

There are lots of myths out there, and there are lots of myths we believe.

When it comes to scholarships, the myths abound.

Today, I’m setting out to debunk five of the most common scholarship myths I’ve heard students and parents repeat and believe.

1. “It’s too late to start.”

It’s never too late to start. Truly, there are scholarships out there for every age group.

Whether you’re in elementary school, middle school, high school, already in college, or are an adult seeking to return to college for your degree, there is a scholarship you qualify for.

Especially if you’re a student already in college, it’s never too late to apply for scholarships unless you’re already walking across that stage to receive your diploma.

So whether you’re a junior or senior in high school, or a current college student, don’t stress – there is still plenty of money out there for you!

2. “I’m not qualified enough (a.k.a. I’m not a star athlete, class president, or straight-A student).”

Well, here’s a kicker: Most scholarship judges and committees are not looking strictly for a star athlete, student body president, or straight-A student.

They’re looking for two things: leadership and volunteerism. And even when a student exemplifies these in small, yet sincere ways, the two qualities can mean big things to a committee.

Committees want to see effort and heart in students’ leadership and volunteerism, and there are so many ways a student can take action and exhibit these qualities through their involvement.

Maybe you enjoy skateboarding, so you decide to start teaching at-risk kids for an hour or two on the weekend.

Maybe you sew blankets for residents at the local assisted living home.

Maybe you and your friends love to bake, so you start an outreach that delivers treats to local veterans to show appreciation for their service.

You don’t have to be on the path to curing cancer to win a scholarship (but if you are, all the more power to you). Instead, think about activities you enjoy doing and turn those into volunteer opportunities. Also, think about the activities you’re involved with during and after school or in your free-time. These are likely perfect material for a scholarship app, and when presented correctly, can make your application shine.

I guarantee you’re a great scholarship candidate because of something you’re doing already.

No action and no activity is too small. Let your creative juices flow!

3. “It’s not worth the time it takes to apply.”

If you never try, you’ll never win. But if you’re not convinced, let me break it down a little more.

Applying for scholarships can earn you more funds than working a part-time or minimum wage job throughout high school. (Note: I am not suggesting that you do not pursue a job during high school. Quite the opposite! Scholarship committees and college admission officers often like to see some form of employment leading up to college.)

If you invest 5 hours in an application for a $1,000 award and win, you’ll be paid $200/hr for your efforts.

Even if you invest 20 hours in your app and win, you’ll make $50/hr – that is still 5-6x more than you can make per hour with a minimum wage job!

“What if I don’t win the first scholarship I apply for? Or the first five?”

You very well might not. But guess what? Neither did I.

Applying (and winning) only get’s easier with time and practice. Stick with it, take courage, and work hard. That’s the only way we achieve great things in life anyway.

The time you invest will be worth it in the end, even if it takes more time and practice to get into your own scholarship groove.

4. “Our family makes too much.”

There are many scholarships (in fact, most) that do not ask for income information.

Maybe your family is doing alright or well-off, but college costs still seems incredibly daunting.

You don’t need to qualify as a certain socioeconomic status to win many scholarships.

Instead, the scholarships focus on YOU as a person and topics such as a challenge you’ve overcome, what you’re contributing to your community, or your experience with a particular activity.

5. “This is too overwhelming.”

It’s doesn’t have to be. But if you do it the wrong way, it will be.

With Scholarship Navigator, you can spend just a few hours each week, foregoing hours of mistakes and wasted time.

In the coming weeks and months, we’ll be sharing some of our best strategies for tackling scholarships.

From blog posts, email updates, worksheets, and checklists for staying organized, Scholarship Navigator will be rolling out materials you won’t want to miss.

I too felt overwhelmed once, and my family had to figure out the scholarship world on our own. We learned through trial and error, and there were many times I wanted to give up. But when I kept pushing, I kept getting better, and the more I continued to win.

If I could do it, you can do it too.

Check back for more Scholarship Navigator updates, and keep sticking with your scholarship goals.

You won’t regret your scholarship journey. I promise.

Keep on navigating,
Ryan

P.S. After reading this post, did you realize you previously believed a scholarship myth? With your newfound knowledge, what are you motivated to start or change in your scholarship journey? I read all responses, so email me at ryan@scholarshipnavigator.com and let me know!