What it takes to earn a College Scholarship and be rewarded for hard work sent

Wed, Mar 5, 2025 11:30 AM

Let’s face it—college costs keep rising every year, and the only person who can truly reduce the price is your son or daughter. But where do they start?

The good news is that colleges love to give scholarships to students who match what they are looking for in their incoming freshman class. These merit-based scholarships are awarded based on academics, talent, or athletic ability. To maximize your student’s chances of earning scholarships, it’s important to understand how the process works in 2025.

For academic scholarships, the first thing colleges look at is a student’s unweighted GPA. There are still colleges that are test-optional, meaning ACT and SAT scores may not be required for admission or scholarships. However, many of the most competitive, high-dollar scholarships still require strong test scores. If your student is aiming for these top awards, checking each college’s requirements early is essential.

Please note, when a college eliminates test scores from the equation, they are relying on a holistic review processes. This means there is a greater emphasis placed on course rigor, personal essays, letters of recommendation, and extracurricular activities such as clubs, leadership roles, jobs, and community service. Scholarship requirements can change from year to year, so staying informed is key.

Colleges want students who bring something unique to their campus. To stand out in a competitive applicant pool, students should focus on their long-term hobbies, leadership positions, volunteer work, or part-time jobs. If a scholarship is tied to an extracurricular activity, writing about their experience in a compelling essay or securing a strong letter of recommendation can increase their chances.

A well-organized resume of activities and accomplishments—both inside and outside the classroom—can help students identify and apply for private scholarships. There are thousands of opportunities available, but it takes effort and strategy. Starting with local scholarships first often increases a student’s chances of success since there is typically less competition. I encourage y9our son or daughter to connect with their High School Counselor or College and Career Readiness Coach where they may be able to uncover exclusive scholarships available only to students from their school or community.

By selecting the right colleges early in high school, students can position themselves for maximum financial rewards. Some schools are known for offering generous merit aid, while others have more competitive scholarship processes. Doing this kind of research in 9th, 10th, and 11th grade can help to take away the last-minute stress that happens if you wait too late.

If your student is struggling to find the right colleges or scholarships—or if you’re tired of constantly reminding them to take action—I can help. Schedule a free 15-minute Discovery Zoom Meeting with me, Dan Bisig, at College and Beyond LLC. I specialize in helping families finding the right colleges, and I get results. Don’t leave free money on the table—book your consultation today