Secure the Bag
True or False: You can apply for scholarships even if you already receive financial aid.
True. Scholarships and other financial aid can be combined, subject to your school's aid rules.
A scholarship website says you must pay $50 to claim a guaranteed award. Scam or legitimate?
Major red flag. Never pay to claim a supposed guaranteed scholarship.
What does FAFSA stand for?
Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
A scholarship offers $500 for a 200-word essay. You qualify. Apply or skip?
Apply! Smaller awards can be worthwhile and may attract fewer applicants.
What type of scholarship is typically awarded for academic achievement, leadership, or talent rather than financial need?
Merit-based scholarship.
What is advantage of applying for local scholarships instead of only national scholarships?
They may have fewer applicants, meaning less competition.
True or False: Every scholarship that asks for personal information is a scam.
False. Legitimate scholarships may request personal information, but sensitive requests should be verified.
True or False: Completing the FAFSA automatically guarantees you a Pell Grant.
False. Eligibility depends on financial and other requirements.
Your GPA is 3.0, but a scholarship requires 3.5. Should you claim you have a 3.5 to qualify?
No. Never falsify eligibility information.
A scholarship pays $2,000 per semester for four semesters. What's the total award?
$8,000.
You find a scholarship with a deadline at 11:59 PM. What's the smartest time to submit?
Well before the deadline, to avoid technical problems. The Earlier the better.
You receive a DM saying, 'Congratulations! You've won $5,000!' but you never applied. What's the red flag?
You receive a DM saying, 'Congratulations! You've won $5,000!' but you never applied. What's the red flag?
What is the difference between a grant and a federal student loan?
Grants generally don't require repayment; loans generally must be repaid with interest.
Your friend sends you a scholarship they already applied for. Is it wrong to apply too?
No. You can both apply if you're eligible.
A student receives a $10,000 scholarship split equally over eight semesters. How much is awarded each semester?
$1,250.
Name three things that can make a scholarship application stand out besides GPA.
Leadership, community service, strong essays, recommendations, work experience, or personal achievements.
A scholarship representative asks for your bank password to transfer your winnings. What should you do?
Do not provide it. Report the message and verify the organization independently.
What is the Student Aid Index (SAI) used for?
It helps schools determine eligibility for need-based federal student aid; it isn't the amount you must pay.
You have two scholarships due tonight: $500 with a short essay and $10,000 with five essays. What should guide your decision?
Your eligibility, available time, application quality, effort required, and chances of completing each.
Your college costs $28,000 per year. You receive $12,000 in grants and $8,000 in scholarships. How much remains before loans, savings, or other aid?
$8,000.
A scholarship is renewable for four years. Name two conditions you should verify before counting on all four years of funding.
Minimum GPA, enrollment status, annual renewal requirements, or continued eligibility.
A scholarship offer uses an official-looking university logo but comes from a random email address. What are two ways to verify it?
Check the official university website and contact its financial aid office through verified contact information.
You win an outside scholarship after receiving your financial aid offer. What should you do?
Report it to the school's financial aid office so they can determine whether your aid package needs adjustment.
You win a $5,000 scholarship, but your school reduces another part of your financial aid. Did the scholarship necessarily save you $5,000?
No. Your actual financial benefit depends on how your overall aid package changes.
You receive two scholarships: one pays $3,000 once; another pays $1,200 per year for four years if renewed. Which has the higher potential total value, and by how much?
The renewable scholarship: $4,800 total, which is $1,800 more.