Different Types of Scholarships

The most common types of scholarships are those awarded by the college or university. Most students applying to a college also apply for any scholarships that are available. Leadership and academic scholarships are the two most common types of scholarships awarded by colleges. A leadership scholarship is awarded for participation in school and extra-curricular activities, as well as
for academic excellence. The leadership scholarship usually considers participation in student government, clubs, volunteerism and church activities as prime criteria for selection.
Academic scholarships may use activities as secondary requirements, but the main consideration is the student’s academic record. Among academic scholarships, valedictorian and salutatorian scholarships may be awarded, as well as general academic scholarships. Other types of scholarships include housing and books awards. These scholarships are awarded specifically to help cover the costs of living in the dorm and buying books. Different schools within the university may also award academic scholarships for students majoring in a particular discipline.
Types of scholarships that are endowed by individuals or sponsored by companies may have other requirements for selection. Some, known as “need-based” scholarships, may require a certain financial need, while others may require the student be of a certain ethnic group or gender, or majoring in a particular degree program. These types of scholarships are usually available to students nationwide, so the competition is hot. Students may prepare scrapbooks of their achievements to help better their odds of being awarded these types of scholarships.
Some types of scholarships require that the student write an essay on a specific topic. This essay, along with other requirements, determines who receives the award. These kinds of scholarships are often sponsored by organizations such as the Rotary Club and the Optimist Club.
Of all the types of scholarships available, certainly one of the most sought-after is the “full ride” scholarship. Other types of scholarships usually only pay part of the tuition or housing. Some are renewable for each year, but these rarely pay the entire tuition amount. The full ride scholarship pays all tuition, fees and housing, and may or may not include a book stipend. This kind of scholarship means the student will not have to depend on student loans to pay for college.
Full ride scholarships are the fewest in number, and obviously, the most difficult to receive. They usually require that a student have an exceptional academic record and a good leadership resume, as well as letters of recommendation from teachers or administrators. These types of scholarships are highly prized and sought after.
When searching for different types of scholarships, a student should consult a guidance counselor at his or her high school and should also look online. Some scholarships are not well-known, but a little digging can often turn up scholarships that the student might be eligible for. Some people also offer their services as professional scholarship hunters, and it might be worth consulting someone who does this. Finding scholarships is not always easy, but it is always worth the effort