All About Academic Scholarships

Academic scholarship are awarded to students who have demonstrated a high degree of scholastic aptitude and performance. These scholarships are typically well publicized and competition for them can be fierce. While all scholarships must consider a students GPA, academic or merit based scholarships are rewards for the years of hard work and diligent effort put demonstrated by yound and talented students.

While academic scholarships are primarily based on a students GPA, award committees also commonly take into consideration other factors including extracurricular activities and leadership qualities. Award committees are looking to reward the brightest and most deserving students, and that means students that have performed exceptionally in many areas – not just the classroom.

Benefits of Academic Scholarships

Academic scholarships carry a significant level of honor and prestige. They impress a college admissions board and they will impress any future employers. While academic scholarships are highly competitive, if you are eligible for one you should definitely apply. In addition to the cash award which will help you pay for your tuition costs the honor and prestige that comes with an academic scholarship will stay with you as you pursue your college career and ultimately enter the workforce.

The Payout is Larger

The monetary award amounts of academic and merit-based scholarships can often be larger than that of need-based scholarships. In many cases the award amount will be equal to an entire terms tuition. You may also find that many colleges and universities offer full tuition scholarships to students who have demonstrated exceptional academic skill and performance in their subject of interest. Investigate all of your academic scholarship possibilities and be sure to apply for any for which you may be eligible.

College Becomes Affordable

Academic scholarships, when won, can make your college stay much more affordable. If you are entering college with an outstanding academic record you have likely been accepted to one of the nations most prestigious universities. These universities are very expensive and an academic scholarship goes a long way towards paying for your tuition.

The Recognition is Worthwhile

Being awarded an academic scholarship provides much more than the financial benefit. Long after the money has been spent, you will still have the benefit of the honor and prestige that it confers. Once you have left college and are applying for jobs, the fact that you were the recipient of a notable academic scholarship is a definite plus on any resume. If you are continuing your education by pursuing a graduate degree, an academic scholarship will also look extremely good on any school applications and may help you secure additional funds for your post graduate education.

Typical Academic Scholarship Requirements

All academic scholarships will typically have many of the same requirements, with subtle variations depending on whether the scholarship is sponsored by a university, corporation or public organization promoting a specific field of interest. If there is one constant however, it is the absolute need for an impressive GPA. The best and the brightest are competing for these scholarships, so you must really apply yourself.

Along with an impressive grade point average, there will be other requirements that must be met. Scholarship award committees will consider the number of years you have spent involved in specific extracurricular activities like school clubs and civic organizations. They will also take into account your leadership potential and your record of community service. Award committees are looking for well rounded students with an excellent history in both academic performance and community involvement.

Academic scholarships may not be for everyone, however that does not mean that the average student doesn't deserve a chance. There are many merit based scholarships aimed at the average student who excels in specific areas. These scholarships are often sponsored by companies and organizations looking to reward excellence in a particular field of study.

There are many financial avenues to follow when planning for your college education, but if a full honors academic scholarship is what you are after, you must devote yourself wholly to your studies. If you can demonstrate a commitment to excellence in everything you do while in high school, you too may have a shot at being awarded a merit based scholarship for academic achievement.