How Often Should I Apply For Scholarship Programs?

Drawn on watch - ever wonder how often you should apply to scholarship programs?

Flickr user David Davies

When it comes to paying for college, every little bit counts. And scholarships can help more than just a little bit. So it begs the question: how often should you apply for scholarship programs?

The short answer is you should apply for scholarships as often as possible.

Consider these two features of scholarships:

Scholarships are the Best Way to Pay

Scholarships are a way to get free money towards your college education. When you get money through a scholarship you do not have to worry about accruing interest rates or how you are going to pay it back. You may have to put in the work to win the award but once you do, that money is yours.

Apply for as Many as You Can

There is no limit to the number of scholarships you can apply for. There is also no limit to the amount of award money you can win. This means you can apply to any and all scholarships that you qualify for.

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Scholarship Programs Take Time and Effort

However, there is a caveat to applying to too many scholarships. Looking for and applying to scholarship programs can take time. You do not want to spend all of your free time looking for opportunities and writing out unique essays for each. Use your time wisely. Factor in time spent on your school assignments, extracurricular activities, social life, and personal commitments and accordingly set aside some hours every week to scholarships.

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