First, let’s get this out in the open right away – you are not a failure because you are going to community college to transfer or get a degree. On the contrary, community college is a great place to start after high school. Especially if you are like the rest of us, ten billion people who do not know what to do when we grow up, you can stay close to home, take interesting courses that will help you figure out your path in life, and save a lot of money while doing so. So do not despair – you are on a great path!
Now, on to the question at hand. Can you get scholarships as a transfer student? The answer is yes! You can get scholarships as a transfer student. In fact, there are many scholarships specifically for transfer students. The scholarships can help you pay for your tuition, books, and other expenses associated with transferring to a new school.
There are also many private organizations and companies that offer scholarships to transfer students. So do not be afraid to search for these scholarships. You may be surprised at what you find.
Some scholarships for transfer students are on an as-needed basis, while others are merit-based. Need-based scholarships are awarded based on your financial need, while merit-based scholarships are awarded based on your academic achievement or other factors.
Many scholarships are available to transfer students from specific groups, such as women, minorities, and international students. So if you belong to one of these groups, be sure to search for scholarships that are specifically for transfer students from your group.
Certain states like Michigan have an abundance of top-notch universities, colleges and community colleges to choose from when considering your path.
Are there scholarships for creative students?
Typically, creative scholarships are merit-based awards that tend to reward talents rather than grades. So, if you’re expressive creatively, scholarships can be a most useful way to pay for college. However, many creative scholarships are for fine arts students with gifts in the visual arts. But what if I am not necessarily “gifted” but am highly creative with a passion for working in the professional creative field?
Good news, my creative friends; yes, you can still find scholarships for non-gifted creative students. Many scholarships focus on the quality of the applicant’s portfolio or body of work rather than raw talent.
Some examples of scholarships for creative students include:
- The Adobe Creative Scholarships Program awards undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate excellence in graphic design, web design, photography, video, or motion graphics.
The Design Circle Scholarship Initiative: This program brings together design leaders to help make the industry more diverse for the next generation. Adobe awards ten $25,000 annual college scholarships — up to $100,000 over four years — for students going into product, web, UX, or interaction design majors.
- The National Society of Arts and Letters offers scholarships to undergraduate and graduate students planning careers in the arts.
$80,000 Awarded Annually: Scholarship and competition award monies are granted to standout students in visual, performing, and literary arts disciplines.
- The YoungArts Foundation provides financial support to young artists in the visual, literary, design, and performing arts.
YoungArts provides award winners with grants, awards, creative and emergency microgrants, and unrestricted funding throughout their artistic careers. In addition, all YoungArts award winners Finalist, Honorable Mention, and Merit award levels receive cash prizes between $100 and $10,000.
What are some tips for applying for scholarships?
Looking for scholarships can be exhausting because there is so much out there and then a lot to do once you find a match. Here are a few to get you started and on your way:
- Meet all application deadlines.
- Use a calendar or planner, make a schedule, and stick to it.
- Gather application materials early
- Don’t ignore small awards
- Request letters of recommendation early
- Write a great essay
- Attend a scholarship workshop
- Sing your own praises
- Try, try again
Applying for scholarships can be a lot of work, but it is worth it. Do not be discouraged if you do not receive a scholarship the first time you apply. Keep applying, and you will eventually find success.
How do you stand out when applying for scholarships?
You can do a few things to make your scholarship applications stand out. First, stay organized and make sure you meet all the deadlines and requirements. Second, request letters of recommendation well in advance, so you have time to follow up if needed. Third, don’t copy and paste old essays – make sure each application is tailored to the specific scholarship.
Fourth, know your audience and emphasize what makes you unique. Fifth, be personal and passionate about your education goals. Sixth, present yourself professionally in your essays and any additional materials you submit. Proofread everything before sending. Have another person review it as well. Edit, edit, and edit again (that’s coming from a writer!) Lastly, send a handwritten thank you letter. It’s a nice touch that goes a long way.
Scholarship applications can be daunting, but if you take the time to prepare and present yourself well, you will increase your chances of being selected for the award.
What should you avoid in a scholarship essay?
When writing an essay to apply for a scholarship, it is best to avoid a few things. First, do not plagiarize or copy and paste someone else’s work. This will not only get you disqualified from the scholarship but also get you in trouble at school. Second, do not lie or exaggerate information about yourself. Be truthful and honest – this is the best way to present yourself to the scholarship committee.
Do not focus too much on your financial need. While it is essential to demonstrate why you deserve the scholarship, remember that the committee is also looking at your academic merits and achievements.
- Avoid using cliches or overly sentimental language in your essay.
- Be original and allow your personality to shine through.
- Do not use words like “finally,” “in sum,” or “in conclusion.”
- Do not repeat or sum up in any way.
- Do not start too many sentences with the word “I.”
- Do not tell the reader explicitly, “I am a unique and interesting person.” Instead, let the reader glean this from your unique and interesting essay.
Can you get scholarships as a transfer student?
Yes, there are scholarships available for transfer students, just like there are for all other students. You can search for scholarships by field of study, type of student (e.g., transfer student, international student, etc.), or other criteria. Be sure to also check with your new school’s financial aid office first for scholarship opportunities specific to their institution.