How to get a college scholarship?

To secure a college scholarship, Brad Barrett and guests on the ChooseFI podcast have shared various strategies:

1. Apply Early and Often:

   • Applying for scholarships should be treated as a job during the summer between junior and senior years in high school. This proactive approach can yield more financial rewards than a summer job scooping yogurt 1.

2. Current Student Scholarships:

   • Bryce Imhoff suggests looking into current student scholarships offered by your university. These typically require a resume, essays, and recommendations. He successfully secured over $41,000 in scholarships and grants by maintaining a high GPA and being involved in campus activities 2.

3. Persistence and Grit:

   • Overcoming limiting beliefs about not being good enough for scholarships is crucial. Nick True emphasized persistence, as it took him several applications over multiple years to finally win a significant scholarship 3.

     College Scholarship Tips

     Brad Barrett

     Dr. James Dahle

     James shares valuable insights on obtaining scholarships for college, emphasizing the importance of being proactive in the process. He highlights the need for parental guidance in selecting a college based on its value proposition rather than superficial factors.

     

     ChooseFI

     097 | The White Coat Investor | Origin Story

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4. Community College:

   • Attending a community college for the first two years can provide a path to scholarships upon transferring to a university. This route includes opportunities like the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship, which offers substantial financial support 4.

5. Scouting for Lesser-Known Opportunities:

   • Scholarships can be found in unexpected places. For instance, some universities offer full scholarships if you qualify as a National Merit Semifinalist. These opportunities are often found within the Honors College or funded by university endowments 5.

6. Parental Guidance and Planning:

   • Parental involvement is critical in guiding the choice of college based on value rather than prestige. This approach helps in selecting less expensive schools without compromising the quality of education 1.

7. Merit-Based Scholarships:

   • Maintaining a high GPA opens doors to automatic merit-based scholarships. Ava Wettrick highlights how her academic performance and alumni connections helped her secure recurring scholarships 6.

By applying these insights, students can significantly increase their chances of securing scholarships and reducing college costs.