This blog has been long overdue, but it’s finally here! I’ve managed to attend college fully paid for by securing financial assistance through scholarships each year. Although I didn’t receive a full-ride scholarship to Cal Poly or support from a single donor, I’ve accumulated various “mini” scholarships over time. As a result, I’m entering my third year of college and studying abroad this upcoming fall, completely loan and debt-free.
Coming from a marginalized, low-income household in the San Fernando Valley, I am the first in my family to attend college in the United States. I’m excited to share what has helped me achieve financial freedom as a 19-year-old still figuring out my path while enjoying and exploring the world along the way.
Where to Look?
There’s no shortcut to this—it’s time-consuming and requires dedication. During my senior year, the scholarship season felt like an additional course due to the amount of effort I put into writing and perfecting my essays. The time you invest in securing your financial freedom is reflected in the rewards you receive. After college application season, which is usually your first semester of senior year, it’s time to focus on scholarships. You can start applying as early as your freshman year of high school, or even in middle school, but I didn’t begin until the second half of my senior year.
I recommend starting by speaking with your college counselor to see what resources are available. Fortunately, my college counselor was exceptional and provided me with an Excel spreadsheet containing all the local scholarships. Apply to small scholarships! Yes, there are large platforms like scholarships.com and bold.org, which are fantastic but more competitive. However, it doesn’t hurt to create a profile and apply. One platform I highly recommend to every student is RaiseMe. It’s a large site, but different because it partners with many universities to offer micro-scholarships. Whether you earn an A on an exam or serve as the captain of your basketball team, you can add all your achievements to accumulate funds—it’s literally free money.
For my university, I partnered with RaiseMe and received $2,000 by simply filling out my profile. If I had started sooner, just imagine the potential! Most of my scholarships came from local nonprofits and connections, but RaiseMe was the one large platform that also supported me. I recommend applying to every local scholarship for which you are eligible—the smaller the scholarship, the better your chances. Over time, they add up! That’s exactly what happened to me, so it’s definitely possible.
What Do I Write About?
There are many scholarships out there, but the prompts are often similar. I’ve had to tweak and adjust my essays, but once you have two or three core stories, you can make them work for different applications. Reflect on all the leadership positions you’ve held, any entrepreneurial ideas you’ve pursued, the impacts you’ve had on those around you, and any family or cultural barriers you’ve overcome. Don’t limit yourself or think that a small idea won’t work—what might seem like a simple idea, such as starting a nail business, could be your ticket through college.
For example, a fellow Alumni360 mentor started a nail business in high school to raise funds for a family matter, ended up being interviewed for a scholarship, and received a full ride! You never know who’s listening and watching, so take that chance. When writing your essay, my best advice is to use the STAR method:
- ST – Situation or Task: Provide context for your story; describe the objective, goal, problem, or decision that needed to be made.
- A – Action: Explain the actions you (and others) took to advance the goal or resolve the problem.
- R – Result: Describe the impact of your actions.
Don’t get lost in the details, but make sure to highlight the STAR of each essay.
What Should I Do After?
Once you receive your scholarships, remember that what truly matters throughout this process isn’t just the money—it’s the people behind the decisions and conversations. After every submission, whether you receive a rejection or congratulations, write a thank-you note. Follow up! You never know how far a simple thank-you note, email, or picture can go. For example, even if you don’t receive a scholarship, following up with the donor can make a difference. They might remember your effort and send you information about another scholarship opportunity, which could lead to success. It’s happened to me!
Small gestures go a long way, so always, always send your thank-yous and follow-ups after every submission. Your network is your net worth—it’s what people say about you when you’re not in the room. Whether you’re a business student or not, invest time in building relationships, not just chasing goals. That’s what will distinguish you as a candidate.
