Because going to college is expensive, many are seeking assistance in pursuit of the most coveted diploma. However, only 67% of 2.9 million American students who graduated from high school enrolled in college in the fall of 2017, according to Education Data. The most recent number of enrollees is 2.5 million. For years of advocating education to be available for everyone, aiming for a 100% immediate college enrolment rate still safes a roadblock. That is why there are more than 1.7 million private scholarships and fellowships awarded each year that sums up to more than 7.4 billion US dollars. It is a form of gift aid, awarded to students to support them with their education. Aside from scholarship letters, a scholarship application form makes applying for this grant easier. Find out more about this document below.
The Time Magazine found out that eighty-eight percent of private college students use a combination of loans, grants, and scholarships to pay for their education. Only the remaining 12% pay the full expense of tuition. Although there is a number of scholarship grants funded by foundations, corporations, and philanthropists, not everyone who vyes for it is given the chance to avail of any assistance. For these organizations, assessing scholarship applicants is crucial. This way, they can evaluate a student whether he or she is qualified for the gift aid. For this instance, they use scholarship application forms to collect relevant information from applicants. This form contains basics like name and contact information. In addition, some of the student’s background is also necessary, that includes grades, extracurricular activities, and other information needed to be based on what type of scholarship the organization is offering.
According to Education Data, out of 2.9 million American students who graduated from high school only 67% enrolled in college in the fall of 2017.
Based on a report by Saving For College, private scholarships and fellowships providers give 1.7 million gift aids, with a total sum of 7.4 billion US dollars each year.
In an article published by Time Magazine, it found out that only 12% of private college students pay the full cost of tuition.
For a successful scholarship program, dedicated scholarship providers should focus on the application itself. Even though it is not the first thing that needs to be considered, it is an important one. Many applicants will spend more time with the application process than any other aspect of the scholarship program. If it is not up to the mark, the program could conclude without an ample amount of qualified applicants.
When starting to draft a scholarship application form, there is plenty to consider. One of those is its primary purpose. In general, an application form plays an essential part in the selection process. In the case of a scholarship application, decisions made to shortlist candidates for the next step of the application process are initially based on the information supplied on the form.
Moreover, no scholarship application forms are the same as no application process alike. Having a document specifically made for scholarship application smoothens the flow of the process. And using application forms that are specially created for another process can compromise the convenience it could have contributed.
Who you are trying to help and why are the two most important things to remember throughout the scholarship application process. Because of that, the scholarship application form should be relevant to the intended audience. But how do you know if an applicant is legible for the scholarship? The way around this is by incorporating elements in the form. It is also important to keep in mind that this form has three main parts: personal information, university/college information, and accomplishments. And each part is consists of several elements. To know more about these elements, below is a list that describes each section. Continue reading.
Applying for a scholarship has two options. A candidate can apply using a paper application form or through an online application outlet. Still, it is the scholarship provider to decide what method applies better to them. The good thing is that making a scholarship application form on paper is likely the same as creating one online. Both start by gathering all the relevant information. And an effective application form asks the right questions, not more than what is needed. Here is a list of some tips for creating a scholarship application form.
What is branding and why it is important to a scholarship application form? Branding is a marketing practice in which companies create a name for themselves through a design or symbol that is easily recognizable as their belonging. It helps customers identify a product or service and distinguish it from other offers. Furthermore, a brand is created to be a true representation of who you are as a business, and how you wish to be known. Thus, before creating the application form, ensure that you have established an identity or brand for your organization. As a scholarship provider, stick to your brand by using logos, signs, or emblems that represent your cause.
Writing the application form clearly and concisely means you have to choose the right words to exactly put your message across. By doing this, you will get straight to your point in a way the readers can easily understand. Hence, use simple words in communicating with the applicants. If you are want to focus on a single field, incorporate words that are specific to that field. On the other hand, the use of generic words could send a vague message to your audience. You have to avoid this or they will miss the point. Because most scholarship application forms are composed of three parts, a good reason to simplify the document even more. Not everyone is fond of long-winded questionnaires.
In this part, the candidate will talk about their reasons for applying. That is why you can label it as “Reasons for Applying for a Scholarship.” The application should encourage each candidate to write why they are suitable for a gift grant. They can highlight their skills, competencies, and even experiences. Sometimes, scholarship providers are more interested in someone’s life story and how they value the emotional quotient (EQ) of their education.
Does your organization as a scholarship provider have unique values? Make sure to showcase these in the scholarship application form so that you can give applicants the chance to tell how they are a good fit for benefits. Consider asking questions about their education or subjects that fit into the lives of the applicants responding to the form. More so, scholarship money is earned, not give. Hence, simply asking basic questions without giving candidates an opportunity to express why they actually want the gift grant is a good way to sift the ones who want your scholar versus those who want every scholarship.
In the application form, ask applications the following questions: “What would you do in (a certain situation)?”; “What book impacted your life the most, and how?”; or “How do you plan to uphold university values in your community after you graduate?” All these will encourage them to explore to think critically. It also gives the scholarship provider the chance to see who the candidates really are.
Often, application forms are commonly associated with the hiring process. However, this business document is not one-dimensional, which means it is used in several other processes. In these processes, an application form is crucial in the selection of candidates. Depending on what they fill out in the form, applicants will proceed to the next part of the application. In other words, you can use an application form when you need to gather relevant information from various people to evaluate them if they pass the standard set in any application process.
Online applications are beneficial, aside from it is easier, it allows faster pre-screening of candidates. That moves qualified applicants more quickly through the pipeline, ultimately matching applicants to their target faster.
It could not be emphasized enough—a scholarship is earned, not given. Granting a person the opportunity to earn a scholarship is a process that consists of various stages. And filling out an application form is the first step out of many. For an organization that provides scholarships, it is important to get to know applicants more than just their names and what school they want to enroll in. Understanding their stories and what they can do is a fair metric to give. With a scholarship application form, you can segregate worthy beneficiaries from those who just want a gift grant.
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