Scholarships are one of the most important initiatives which have helped students in realizing their educational dreams around the world. Students, who have no or very few financial resources, get the opportunity to pursue higher education with the help of scholarships and other financial aid.
However, there are quite a few myths and misconceptions surrounding the concept of scholarships for students. Following are some of the famous myths which have killed a huge number of scholarship aspirants.
There are few
A huge number of students are not aware of the fact that there are thousands of scholarships offered by various organizations, institutions and even individuals. Out of these many scholarships, some have attained a high status and reputation due to the standards they have specified in order to get it. Many students think that these are the only scholarships available while the truth is contrary. A single search on the Internet will show how many scholarships are available for students.
They are too competitive to attempt
Another myth which discourages a lot of students from applying to scholarships is that the competition is too high and strong to attempt applying. Although it is a fact that there are many applicants for every major scholarship, it does not mean that the competition is too high for anyone to attempt. Furthermore, there are many other equally good scholarships which can be applied to and won by students in case they don’t succeed the first time.
They are only for top scorers
Another big myth that surrounds scholarships is that they are only for students who have scored exceptionally high and whose academic performance is very good. Yes, it is true that academic performance is usually the basis for getting a scholarship, but it is also a fact that not all scholarships require exceptionally high scores. Many scholarships are awarded on the basis of subjects and other achievements and skills. Often times it comes down to your individual passion, and what you want to pursue in the future.
The aid is too small to make a difference
Some students tend to believe that applying for scholarships is not worth it as the financial aid won’t cover all their study expenses. It is true that most scholarships won’t individually cover all the expenses involved in studying but it is untrue that it won’t make any difference. A scholarship will give a huge boost to you and will reduce the financial burden of your college expenses. Then there is also the prestige and honor attached to these scholarship awards that can give a significant boost to your résumé.
They are only for minorities
This is another one of the prevalent myths about scholarships among students as well as parents. Many people think that scholarships are only for minorities or that anyone who is not from a minority group cannot succeed in availing a scholarship. The truth is quite contrary. Yes, there are special scholarships for minority students, but not all scholarships are awarded specially to minority students. According to a report published by the Chronicle of Higher Education, focused on students in America, it was found that 76 percent of institutional merit scholarships were awarded to non-minority students and that these same students were 40 percent “more likely” to win private scholarships.
Every year, hundreds of scholarships are awarded to students across the globe based on various criteria. Pursuing higher education has never been more accessible than today, provided one has the will to study and knows how to fund their college education.
About the author (Guest Piece): Jessie Agarwal is a passionate blogger and journalist from India. She writes articles on various topics such as Education, gadgets, travels…etc. As of now she is focusing on Univariety, which provides career counseling for college students. The organization also helps school students in career exploration and planning.