National Scholarship Month: How to Find the Right Scholarship for You, a Step-By-Step Guide

National Scholarship Month was created to raise awareness of scholarships, the corporations that offer scholarships, and the importance of helping students further their education through them. It’s a time for everyone to come together with one purpose: the purpose of ensuring students have all the means necessary, no matter their economic status to pay for an education.

Not only do scholarships minimize student debt, but students who receive a scholarship are proven to more likely graduate with a degree. And though it’s true that everyone benefits from receiving a scholarship, it’s not unlikely for the receival of a scholarship to dictate whether a student (particularly in lower income households) will/can go to school or not.

And whether you're in that pool of Americans looking for a scholarship for either yourself, a child, or a mentee/protégé, finding the right scholarship is a whole process… but not one that’s impossible with the right steps. So, here they are:

Step 1: Define Your Needs and Goals

The primary use for scholarships is to pay for tuition, fees, room and board, and even textbooks. But did you know there are other potential use-cases including supplies (other than textbooks: art supplies, lab supplies, etc.) and or other specific course material. Which is why it’s important to understand what you need to pay for before diving into the scholarship search. A Banzai resource that could help with this is the Banzai Cost of College course teaches users how to prepare to continue their education after high school by addressing their college cost breakdown including how much it will cost them to pay for tuition, fees, supplies, housing, food, transportation, and entertainment. 

Using your own research or the research done through and of the Banzai college courses, establish your budget: how much you have saved/are able to pay for an education and how much you still need to be able to pay. Then, note which costs you’ll still need help paying for according to your college budget breakdown. 

Step 2: Research Scholarship Opportunities

The search for scholarships can feel overwhelming, but with the right tools, it’s manageable—and worth it! Here are some tips to make it easier:

• Use Online Search Engines: find websites that offer comprehensive listings that you can filter by your field of study, location, or background.
• Talk to School Counselors: Many schools have counselors dedicated to helping students find financial aid. They often know about scholarships that aren’t widely advertised.
• Check Local Resources: Community organizations, local businesses, and even places of worship sometimes offer scholarships that are only available to students in your area.

To stay on top of new opportunities, set aside a specific time each week to check for scholarships and apply. This steady approach keeps the process manageable and ensures you never miss a deadline.

Unabashed Tip: Check out Banzai’s new scholarship opportunity—the Banzai Life Literacy Scholarship! It could be just what you’re looking for.

Step 3: Narrow Down Based on Eligibility and Fit

Filter out scholarships based on your unique eligibility. And before you ask, yes, everyone you do have your own unique library of scholarships that fit your background and hobbies perfectly. You just have to find them. Take note of all and any of the following:

1. Academic achievements
2. Family background
3. Field of study
4. Community service
5. Personal Hobbies/Interests

Narrowing down the list of things that make you you helps you focus on the most realistic scholarship opportunities—the ones you’re a shoe-in for.

If these two simplifications are proving difficult for you, try out the Banzai Scholarships course it was built to help with this very thing, making applying for real-world scholarships that align with your interests that much easier.

Step 4: Stay Organized

Organize the final list of potential scholarships according to their deadlines and requirements—the scholarships that make it on this final list are your golden scholarships—the ones you don’t want to miss applying to. Keep track of these scholarships via a spreadsheet, calendar, planner, or any way that feels most comfortable for you.

To make sure you’re not missing out on any of them, prioritize your golden scholarships according to their deadlines and then time block dates and times you need to get them done by. It’s also helpful to list all of your application materials in separate to-dos so you don’t forget one come submission time.

Step 5: Perfect Your Application Materials

The first step is knowing what application materials you need to submit for each scholarship—yes, every scholarship is different. The organized notes and/or planners that you created in step 4 will be your guide and also your savior. They’ll help you not to overthink and take each process one step at a time. There are some consistencies in scholarship applications though so here are the major player you’ll want to look out for:

1. A polished resume: A polished resume highlights relevant achievements, skills, and experiences that align with the scholarship’s focus and goals. Sell your accomplishments including projects you’ve led, awards you’ve received, and so on. Focus on the impact of all of your actions rather than just boasting about them and remember your resume isn’t just a list of experiences but a hand-crafted representation of your life and your story.
2. A compelling personal statement: A personal statement gives reviewers insight into your motivations, goals, and personality. Avoid generic language and let your inner voice shine. Share your passions, values, and all of the uniqueness that makes you you. Examples and stories to back these things go a long way.
3. Strong letters of recommendation: Letters of recommendation are the crunch-in-your-mouth crumbly crust of a freshly baked loaf of bread… if your application was bread, that is. These add weight to your application. It’s the only way reviewers hear about you from an outside perspective. It’s important to choose recommenders who know you well and can give specific examples of all the impact you’ve made. Recommenders should know the scholarships’ purpose just as much as you so they also know how to tailor their responses to be more specific.
4. A Tailored application: Not all scholarships are looking for the same things. Tailor your submissions to align with the focus of each scholarship. If a scholarship values leadership, share experiences that demonstrate strong leadership qualities. Same goes for all of the first three materials on this list.

Once you’ve got all the materials, review them one last time before hitting submit.

Step 6: Follow Up and Don’t Give Up

Despite popular belief, you don’t have to just sit around and wait for a response. Sure, give reviewers some time to get to your application but when it feels right, reach out. And don’t stop applying to scholarships when met with the common-face of rejection. 

National Scholarship Month is the perfect reminder that paying for education doesn’t have to mean taking on overwhelming debt. Scholarships provide invaluable support to students, helping to bridge financial gaps and making higher education accessible to everyone. 

By following these steps—defining your needs, researching thoughtfully, tailoring applications, and staying organized—you’ll be well-equipped to find scholarships that align with your goals and background. Remember, persistence is key. Keep applying, even if it takes time, because every scholarship opportunity brings you closer to achieving your education dreams.