One thing we’ve learned at Brooks Law Group is the importance of giving back. One of the best ways to build our community is through education. That’s why we’re proud to offer the Brooks Law Group Scholarship each spring and fall. Our spring scholarship deadline is just around the corner, so we want to give our best advice for applying for scholarships. And not just applying for them—winning them!
Why You Should Be Applying for Scholarships
It’s no secret: college is expensive. But just how expensive is it?
The average yearly cost for college in the 2019-2020 academic year was $30,500. This includes tuition, room and board, and other school fees. What it might not include is your textbooks, parking permit, moving costs, and any personal bills you have. As you can see, these extra costs really add up fast.
When it comes to paying for all of this, you have a few options. First is paying out of pocket, but few can afford to do this. That’s where financial aid comes in. You can apply for federal financial aid through the FAFSA. This includes loans, grants, and work-study jobs. With loans, it’s important to remember that you will have to pay these back, usually with interest.
Your best bet? Scholarships. They’re usually available through private organizations or your college. You may have to write an essay, create a video, or complete a special project to apply for these. Many have GPA or standardized test score requirements. The best part about scholarships? It’s free money you don’t have to pay back, and there are many out there to apply for!
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How to Find Scholarships
To apply for scholarships, first you have to find them. Many local organizations will offer them, so check around your local businesses or charities to see if any are available. Your school may have a website or bulletin with a list, so ask your guidance counselor for these. Colleges will often have private scholarships listed on their own website as well.
Once you find one, make sure to read the rules and requirements. You may need to have a minimum GPA, be part of a certain organization, or live in a specified area. If you play a sport or participate in an extracurricular activity, look for scholarships for those teams and activities. You’ll be surprised by the scholarships you find.
Applying for Scholarships and Winning
If you meet all the requirements, it’s time to start applying. The most important tip? Read through all the application rules and make sure you follow them, or you could be disqualified. For example, if you have to write an essay, make sure you reach the required word count. Research the essay topic fully, and make sure you write an interesting and unique piece.
Scholarship committees want to hear your story through your application. Whether it’s an essay, a video, or a project, put your own personality into it. Remember, there will likely be many applicants for one scholarship that may have only a few awards to give. With hundreds, or even thousands, of applications to judge, you have to make sure you stand out. Get creative, use your unique voice, and wow them!
One of our biggest tips is to apply for as many scholarships as you can. You’re never guaranteed to win one but applying for many can increase your chances! Try to apply to several scholarships per week. Don’t focus on one high-paying but hard to get scholarship. Apply for that one, plus several smaller scholarships. These can be easier to win, and they add up to a lot of money. Put in the work to find scholarships and perfect your application, and it will pay dividends in college.
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Ready to Apply?
Now that you know how to find scholarships and what to do to win, are you ready to apply for them? Yeah, we thought so.
A great place to start is with our Brooks Law Group Spring 2021 Scholarship. With just a short essay, you can apply to win a $1,000 scholarship to any US college! Act fast—the deadline for this scholarship is May 7, 2021. It’ll be here before you know it!
We wish you the best of luck with this school year and your application search. Get out there, get those scholarships, and make a change in your community through education!
The greatest way we can help our community every day is through our legal services. If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, Brooks Law Group is ready to help. Contact us or call us at 1-800-LAW-3030 for a free consultation.
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