Why You Should Apply to Scholarships Year Round

By Brittany Loeffler on September 11, 2018

When people think to apply to scholarships, they imagine themselves sitting at their computer over the summer filling out applications and inputting their GPA when they would rather be hanging out by the pool. It’s true that most scholarship deadlines are between the months of May and September so students can receive money for the upcoming school year, but you’ll need money year round. So, why not apply to scholarships throughout the year?

Everyone loves free money. That’s exactly what scholarships are! Free money. There are thousands of scholarships out there just waiting for you to apply to. Spend some time throughout the year to apply to scholarships rather than just during the summer.

apply to scholarships

via Pixabay

Deadlines

Nobody likes having a deadline to do something. However, they are helpful when it comes to doing something you probably would rather not do. Every scholarship has a different deadline. They aren’t all due on the same day at the same time each year. The only thing that is always due at the same time each year is FAFSA, but that’s a grant and not a scholarship.

So, since every scholarship deadline is different, it’s important to stay consistent and keep up with those deadlines throughout the year to make sure you have the best chance of receiving free money.

New Scholarships

New scholarships pop up all the time. Whether it’s from a new organization or an alumnus decided they wanted to help future students get through college, it’s important to stay on top of new scholarships, especially if you qualify for them. Keep a consistent search going throughout the year. There are even websites that will send you scholarships that you may qualify for. When you find one that you want to apply to, don’t wait!

More Time to Look for Scholarships

Some students feel very rushed over the summer and winter break because they feel that they need to apply to every scholarship they can find. When you apply to scholarships throughout the year, you should ultimately apply to more scholarships than the students who rush through them during the summer. This also ensures that your submissions and applications are more thorough because you are able to spend some more time on them. The more time you spend on your essay or project, the more likely you are to receive that scholarship.

Make It Part of Your Routine

Routines are great! They get you into a smooth flow of responsibilities. Something to add to your routine is applying to scholarships. Make it a goal to apply to a certain number of scholarships each week and set aside time to search for them and apply to scholarships. This can be when you are finished your homework or every Sunday night before you go to bed and start your week off. You’ll be amazed at how naturally it comes and how efficient you’ll become in applying to scholarships.

Some Scholarships Take Time

There are some scholarships that take some time to apply to. Some scholarships require lengthy essays while others require you to submit a creative video showing off your most impressive achievement. When you apply to scholarships year round, you will have more time to work on these submissions and make sure they are something you can be proud of. When you rush through to apply to scholarships, you may make a mistake or forget to add something that could cost you that money. Take your time and really check to make sure you have done your best work. It could cost you a couple thousand dollars!

apply to scholarships

via Pixabay

Everybody Loves Free Money

There aren’t many times in your life where you will receive money free and clear. One misconception about college is that you only have to pay tuition in September when the school year begins. Some students don’t realize that they also have to pay tuition and university fees for the second semester. They also may not realize that textbooks can really add up. So, receiving free money when you apply to scholarships can really help with these expenses.

If you find yourself receiving scholarship money when your university fees are already paid and you’ve put down your deposit for tuition, feel free to put that scholarship money towards any student loans that you may have. The sooner you start making payments on your student loans, the less you will have to pay in the long run.

Apply to Scholarships Now

It’s never too late to apply to scholarships. Apply to them throughout the year so you can take your time on your submissions and applications while always finding new ones to apply to. If you work it into your routine, you may be one of those students who get to go to college for free thanks to scholarships!

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