Middle School Scholarship Tips to Boost Your Child's Future College Funding
With the rising cost of education, it is imperative that students understand how scholarships can be a tool to offset this cost. In my senior year of high school, I received over 2.4 million dollars in total scholarship offers. What does this mean? I attended undergraduate studies completely free, earned three bachelor’s degrees, and even had some funds remaining to start graduate school. Today, I am here to tell you my top 3 tips and tricks in preparing for “scholarship season,” the time in which most applications are open in your senior year of high school.
Strengthen Your Resume
Middle school is the perfect time to start building your resume. Truly. Most scholarships want to see what you’ve been doing over the years, not just what you did senior year. So why not make things easier for your future self?
-
You’re involved in more than you think—clubs, sports, service projects, school events. Start recording all of it.
-
Extracurriculars, leadership roles, and community involvement all count and show that you’re a well-rounded applicant.
-
By the time senior year hits, it gets harder to remember what you did back in 7th or 8th grade so documenting it now will save you big time later.
-
Your resume is a living document, and the earlier you start shaping it, the more impressive it will be when scholarship season comes around.
Determine What Areas Need Improvement
There’s no sugarcoating it; scholarships are a competition. The most well-rounded, intentional applicants are the ones who stand out, and that means filling in the gaps now.
-
Look at your current experience and find what’s missing. Leadership? Volunteering? Clubs? Start there.
-
If your school doesn’t offer what you’re looking for, don’t stop. Think bigger. There are virtual and national programs waiting for students like you.
-
From online clubs to service opportunities across the country, there’s no excuse not to get involved.
-
Every experience you add strengthens your application and gives you a better shot when it’s time to apply for scholarships.
Get Ready to Write
Let’s talk about the essay—it’s a big deal. Most scholarships I applied for required one, and trust me, your writing can make or break your application.
-
Most scholarship essays fall between 250 and 1000 words, and nearly all of them ask the same thing: “Why should we award you this scholarship?”
-
Think hard about what makes you unique—your story, your values, your goals—and make sure that shines through.
-
Don’t hit submit without having at least three trusted people (like parents, teachers, or a counselor) read over your essay.
-
If writing isn’t your strong suit yet, don’t stress, just practice. The more you write, the better you’ll get. Perfection takes time, but you’ll get there.
Take a deep breath; you can do this. I never look back and say, “Man, I wish I did not get paid to attend college.” That thought never crosses my mind. Was it a lot of work? Yes. Was it worth it? Also, yes. There is not one way to tackle scholarships, you have to figure out what works for you. The earlier you start preparing, the more money you will earn. Scholarship season will be here before you know it, so start your planning for your success story today.