College Tips

A collection of the best tips on how to get a scholarship

Earning scholarships to pay for college can be just as profitable as a part-time job — if you’re equipped with the right tools to search and apply.

The UW-La Crosse Scholarship Resource Center (SRC) staff shared these tips to score scholarships. UWL students should be sure to take advantage of UWL Foundation scholarships. These opportunities reopen on Oct. 1, 2024. See more details below. 

How to find college scholarships 

• Explore college and university foundation scholarships. Colleges and universities typically have foundations that offer scholarships to their students. The UW-La Crosse Alumni & Friends Foundation offers many scholarships for UWL students. Those enrolling for the 2025-2026 academic year are eligible to apply for UWL Alumni & Friends Foundation scholarships beginning Oct. 1, 2024. The application deadline is Feb. 1, 2025. Learn more on the UWL scholarships website. These scholarships will be applied to the 2025-2026 academic year. 
• Use college search resources. The college you are applying to or attending might have a scholarship database. UWL’s Scholarship Resource Center has an outside scholarship database where students can search for external scholarship opportunities and filter by deadlines, academic majors, areas of interest and more. Even prospective college students can find scholarships here. If students are looking for support with finding and applying for scholarships, we invite them to make an appointment to meet one-on-one with a Scholarship Resource Center mentor. 
• Ask local organizations. Many students will apply to large, national scholarships. But did you know that most scholarships received come from smaller organizations? Not as many will apply to the ones in their own backyard. Ask yourself: What local organizations am I or my family involved in that I can ask about scholarships? Think about religious groups, local businesses, insurance agencies, Elks Club, Kiwanis Club, sports clubs, Eagle Scouts, Girl Scouts, YMCA, American Legion, Credit Unions, and Boys & Girls Club and more. You could even try searching your hometown then “community foundation.” Many local scholarships can be found this way. 
• Consider your employer. Where do you work? Where do your family members work? Do any of these employers offer scholarships? Many companies offer scholarships such as Chick-fil-A , McDonald’s, Wells Fargo, and Chipotle.
• Ask your high school guidance counselor. Your high school counselor may have valuable connections with local scholarship organizations.
• Use databases on the internet. Many scholarship search hubs are available online to filter and find scholarships. Examples are Bold.org, Scholarship America, and Scholarships.com.
  

How to apply for scholarships 

• Apply for a lot. There is no limit on how many scholarships you can apply for. Consider applying for anywhere from 10 to 30 scholarships, or more, at a time. The more you apply for, the more likely you are to land one.
• Apply for scholarships that align with your values. Scholarships are available for everyone — every interest and hobby from hiking to neuroscience. It is much easier to write about topics that excite you and this might be what pushes your essay to the top of the pile.
• Read the scholarship requirements carefully. Sometimes scholarships have specific requirements such as word count limits, academic transcripts, essay formats, etc. Ensure that you follow these guidelines and submit all necessary materials. 
• Focus on your top scholarship picks first. Work on the scholarship applications you have the greatest passion for and chance of earning first. You want to make sure you have enough time to complete these to the best of your ability.  
• Stay organized. Write down the scholarships you are applying for, requirements and due dates. This way, you can keep track of what you need to do. The SRC provides a scholarship tracker on their website.
• Share YOUR story. Don’t be afraid to share your personality, motivation and interest. Think of a story about yourself that pertains to the topic of the scholarship. Rather than writing a list of achievements, make sure to illustrate how different experiences impacted you. A compelling story will make your essay stand out.
• Make a connection. If the scholarship has a contact name, reach out to ask a question or share your interest in the scholarship. It may help make your application more memorable.
• Don’t give up. Even UWL’s top scholarship earners, Maroon Tycoons, had applications that were not winners. If you never apply, you will never win. Even if you don’t receive a scholarship don’t be discouraged! 

Recommended read: Learn how UWL student Laura Zinnel pursued scholarships to achieve her science career dreams.

Common scholarship questions

What are college merit-based scholarships?

A merit-based scholarship is awarded based on outstanding achievement in high school. Not only academics, but other factors may be considered such as ACT/SAT scores, athletics, leadership roles, extracurricular activities, community involvement and more. Colleges award merit-based scholarships, as do many other organizations. 

What is the difference between the UWL Foundation Scholarships and the SRC’s Outside Scholarship Database? 

The UWL Foundation Scholarships are institutional scholarships. Meaning that these are offered by UWL, for UWL students. These opportunities have a specific opening and closing date each application cycle. On the other hand, the Outside Scholarship Database is offered by the SRC. This office lists private, external scholarship opportunities with deadlines year-round. These scholarships are not specifically for UWL students and could be national, statewide, or local opportunities. These are available as an additional resource students are recommended to check out. 

Can homeschoolers get college scholarships?

Yes. You do not need to be attending a high school in order to receive a college scholarship. Some scholarships are intended for students who are homeschooled. Use the tools above to find scholarships that apply to you and your interests.  

Can adult students get college scholarships?

Yes. Most scholarships do not have age requirements. You may even find scholarships that target non-traditional students.   

Are there scholarships for college freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors?

Yes. You can often use filtering features in college scholarship databases to find scholarships that are available to you — whatever year you are in college.