Internespo > Guide > Scholarships > Academic Scholarships

There are many different forms of scholarships and financial aid. Student-athletes often receive both academic as well as athletic scholarships to pay for college.

Key Takeaways

• • Academic scholarships can cover up to 100% of your tuition
  • Pay less for college by doing your research on scholarship opportunities 
  • Check for your eligibility and prepare for submission on time

What are Academic Scholarships?

Academic scholarships are forms of financial aid that are awarded to students based on their academic achievements, such as high grades, test scores, and other factors. The purpose of these scholarships is to recognize and reward students who have demonstrated a high level of academic excellence, and to provide them with financial support to help pay for their education.

Who awards academic scholarships?

These scholarships can be awarded by schools, universities, foundations, corporations, and other organizations, and can be used to pay for tuition, fees, books, and other educational expenses. Some academic scholarships are merit-based, meaning they are awarded based on a student’s academic record and accomplishments, while others may be need-based, taking into consideration a student’s financial situation and ability to pay for college.

Why do schools offer academic aid?

Academic scholarships are awarded by colleges to attract academically talented students. Compared to athletic scholarships, academic scholarships are not regulated by a governing body such as the NCAA. Therefore, universities independently decide the number, amount and requirements of its academic scholarships.

Types of academic scholarships

• • Merit Based Scholarship, Presidential Scholarship
  • Trustee Scholarship, Chancellor Scholarship
  • Other forms of scholarships awarded by doners

Those scholarships are awarded based on the following factors: high school grade point average (GPA), SAT/ACT admission test scores and PSAT/NMSQT test scores, taken during junior year of high school. It is important to keep in mind that your performance during the final years of high school combined with your assessment tests scores, can have a tremendous impact on your college scholarship amount.

Besides athletic and academic scholarships there are a wide range of other scholarships awarded from donors to the university, and can be based on certain criteria such as: community service, military affiliation, and financial need, to name a few. Additionally, scholarships do not necessarily have to be awarded by the school and can come from outside organizations, as well.

How to apply

To apply for an academic scholarship, you typically need to follow these steps:

1) Research potential scholarships: Start by researching scholarship opportunities that are available to you. You can look for scholarships through your school’s financial aid office, online scholarship databases, government websites, and private organizations.

2) Meet eligibility requirements: Check the eligibility requirements for each scholarship you’re interested in, such as minimum GPA, major, and test scores. Some scholarships may also require essays, letters of recommendation, or other application materials.

3) Gather necessary documents: Prepare any required documents such as transcripts, test scores, essays, and letters of recommendation. You may also need to provide proof of financial need, if the scholarship is a need-based award.

4) Submit your application: Follow the instructions for each scholarship you’re applying for, including filling out the application forms and submitting all required materials by the deadline.

5) Follow up: After you’ve submitted your scholarship application, follow up to make sure it was received and to check on the status of your application. If you’re awarded a scholarship, make sure you understand the terms and conditions, including how to renew the scholarship and what to do if you need to withdraw.

It’s also important to keep in mind that you may need to reapply for scholarships each year, so make sure to stay organized and keep track of deadlines. Good luck with your scholarship search!