Why Parental Support Is Key for Middle School Scholarship Success

From the moment a student enters Kindergarten all the way through high school graduation, parental involvement and support is key to success. Along the way, the level of support that parents provide changes, especially in a transition period.

In middle school, it is imperative that parental support is available for students as they begin to think about their future and here’s why:

1. Support Now Translates into Support in High School

If you establish support with your student in middle school, it is much easier to increase the support given when they enter high school. Having those conversations early on allows the parents to set parameters and boundaries on what the expectations are for their students, but also what the student expects from the parent. This creates a clear line of communication that is only strengthened as the student progresses through school. 

2. A Newfound Sense of Responsibility Is Formed

As expected, the level of support shown to an elementary student compared to a middle school student is very different. However, the student often views this change in support as a new level of freedom, so it is important to celebrate this. In the same way, this gives the parents an opportunity to discuss the academic rigor of a middle school student, as this responsibility falls primarily on the student. This teaches the student how to advocate for themselves, which directly correlates into scholarship success.

3. When Rejection Hits, You Can Support Them in Bouncing Back

I would like to sit here and tell you that your student will receive every opportunity that they apply for. However, this is simply not the case. In middle school, it is likely that your student will get told their first “No,” whether it is a leadership position, scholarship, or other opportunity. As a parent, it is your job to help them bounce back, modeling to them that stamina is an important part of the process. 

Navigating support for a middle schooler is difficult. Navigating support for scholarship applications is even more difficult. But, it does not get any easier the longer you wait. And, if anyone can do it, it’s you, the people who have gotten them this far. The most frequent comment I hear from students about scholarships is, “I wish I had started sooner.” Don’t wait. Start planning for scholarship success today.