How to Win a Scholarship

With astronomical costs and fees for today’s post-secondary education, every student is desperately seeking financial aid. Especially troubled are those who are financially challenged. The truth of the matter is that there just aren’t enough to go around. You have to be at the top of the class in more areas than one.

Gifted and talented teens have an advantage in the game of scholarships. They tend to be more involved in their schools, more academically successful and more likely to volunteer. All of these things are crucial to the selection of the winning scholarship applicant.

Academic success is a critical element in scholarship selection criteria. Your grades have to be good, at least in the mid eighties, and preferably in the nineties. Many schools will offer substantial scholarships to any students with good averages. The higher the average, the greater the amount of money. Most important is that your prerequisite courses have high grades. Since most schools take prerequisites plus your best marks in optional courses, it is suggested that you work very hard at prerequisites. After that, simply pick options you enjoy and know you will do well in. This should give you an excellent average as long as you remember CTW. Try to care about your marks, to try to attain good ones, and to work hard all year.

Extra-curricular involvement is also crucial for a scholarship. You need to be involved in your school activities as well as activities outside of school. Join the band, a sports team or an academic club at your school. Take swimming lessons, piano lessons or 4-H courses in your spare time. Do something you enjoy and it will benefit you in more ways than one.

Community involvement is important as well. You have to show some volunteer experience. There are so many volunteer opportunities, that this should not be a problem. Read to the elderly, shovel their lanes in the winter or rake their lawns in the fall. Volunteer to tutor someone in your favourite subject. I have found that a fascinating opportunity exists at local hospitals for candy- stripers. These people work with patients and help nurses in their duties. You can volunteer to help coach your favourite sport. As I said earlier, the opportunities are limitless.

Leadership is another key element. You need to show that you are nolonger a shy little adolescent who has to conform to the popular fads. You need to coach a team, to head a club, to join a council. All of these things prove that you have leadership qualities. Many scholarships are

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