Introduction to Scholarships
Are scholarships truly a thing? Can a normal student really get money that doesn’t have to be paid back for college? We’ve tried looking, and everything seems like it’s just a scam. If you’ve felt this way when looking for scholarships for your student, don’t worry. I get these questions all the time. But the truth is, scholarships for college are an incredible way to fund your student’s education.
My Personal Experience with Scholarships
Hello, my name is Jocelyn Pearson, founder of The Scholarship System, where we redefine paying for college to help families avoid student loan debt primarily by receiving scholarships. I’m talking to you about this topic today because I’ve had my own experience of securing six figures in scholarships and graduating completely debt-free.
What are Scholarships?
So, let’s begin with what scholarships are. Scholarships are debt-free monies that do not have to be paid back. This is money that can help your student pay for their education, and in the end, they don’t have to pay a penny of it back to anyone.
Sources of Scholarships
Scholarships can come from the university, departments, clubs, organizations, non-profits, private businesses, the government, and many more places. When it comes to these sources of scholarships, some funds have millions and millions of dollars, while others, like ours, have a few thousand dollars that we give out every single year to a few lucky winners.
Real-Life Examples of Scholarship Winners
For example, one student who comes to mind is Elaine’s son. He was able to choose an affordable school and only needed $6,500 per year to attend debt-free. We also have a student who was able to get a complete free ride by the end of high school.
How to Apply for Scholarships
So, how do you apply for scholarships? This is another area where it can look completely different from one scholarship to another. When looking for legitimate scholarships, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, make sure the scholarship is based on competitiveness, not luck.
Avoiding Scholarship Scams
I have a separate video on scholarship scams, which we’ll link to once it’s published. In the meantime, here’s a rule of thumb: if a scholarship is based on luck, it’s out of your control.