Why You Should Apply For As Many College Scholarships As You Can

Most college and university scholarships available today are not awarded based on financial need, as was the case in the past. Scholarships aren’t just awarded for the academic genius, track star superstar or chess club captain either, but are awarded based on a wide variety of different factors, such as the major you’ve declared (and it can always change! your mind!), your heritage, your last name, and many other things. There are even scholarships for left-handed students!

The main difference between scholarships and student loans is that you don’t have to pay the money back when you graduate. Student loans are expected to be paid off after graduation. Who wants to start their life in the real world after graduation with a huge financial burden of student loans that now need to be paid off?

Applying for college scholarships can be fun. As an example, the Duck Brand Duct Tape Company runs a contest for students 14 and older who attend a high school prom. The entrance is open to couples only and both parties must be dressed in accessories or costumes made from duct tape. A color photo of the couple in a duct tape outfit must be submitted. The first place prize is a $3,000 scholarship for each member of the winning couple. Another cash award of $3000 goes to the host school. Additional prizes include $2,000 for second place and $1,000 for third.

The American Association of Candy Technologists sponsors $5,000 annual college scholarships. It is open to junior, sophomore, and first-year college students for use in the following academic year. Students who have an interest in confectionery technology (making candy) are encouraged to apply. To qualify, candidates must be attending a four-year university in North America, majoring in biological sciences, food sciences, or chemical sciences, and have a GPA of at least 3.0.

Came up with a great idea or invention? The National Inventors Hall of Fame awards college scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students for inventing new ideas, processes, and technological innovations. The invention must be patentable and not have been made available to the public or patented more than one year before the date of submission of the contest. Submissions are judged on their potential value to society, originality, and inventiveness. Up to four students can work together as a team, but only one prize is awarded for each entry. One lucky winner takes home the grand prize of $25,000! There are also $15,000 and $10,000 competition prizes awarded.

The David Letterman Scholarship was established in 1985 to award college scholarships to telecommunications students. The awards are intended for creative students who earn average grades. Winners are primarily judged on their creativity. Projects used for entry can be made with film, graphics, writing, audio, or video. The winner receives a $10,000 scholarship, $5,000 for second place and $3,333 for third place.

Don’t let a lack of funds stand in the way of receiving a quality college education that will give you a rewarding future. Many college scholarships go unclaimed each year because no student applies for them. Don’t let a lack of applying for potential scholarships keep you from getting one (or more) of them.