Four students share what receiving a scholarship means to them (2024)

    • AuthorBy Laura Freyman
    • January 29, 2021

    Scholarships give students needed funds to pay for educational expenses, but they often end up being about more than money. For students like Julie Martinez, Andrew Terry, Grace Kinnicutt, and Ryan Hickenbottom, donor-funded scholarships offer encouragement, purpose, and drive. Read what receiving a scholarship has meant to Julie, Andrew, Grace, and Ryan.

    Four students share what receiving a scholarship means to them (1)

    “What I love most about my major is how much the program reiterates the importance of inclusion in the classroom. Growing up in a predominately white classroom, I felt like an outcast, and it affected my active involvement in the classroom. I want my future students to feel included. I’m a first-generation college student so receiving my scholarship gave me validation. I know now all of my hard work is paying off.”

    Four students share what receiving a scholarship means to them (2)

    “I came to nursing by way of the trades and emergency medical services, so I am not a traditional student. Being a nurse will allow me to further my medical knowledge; have more authority and access to provide patient care; and will provide me a career that also fits with my values of family time, personal growth, and development. Receiving this scholarship was a true honor and an unexpected gift. The news was a real boost to my morale. It has taken years of planning, preparation, and coordination with my family to arrive at the place where nursing school felt possible. Now I know that I’m on the right track. Thank you.”

    Four students share what receiving a scholarship means to them (3)

    “I’m an introvert, but I love the connection I am able to make with others through journalism and the networking opportunities it brings. When I received my scholarship, I was ecstatic. The announcement came during a really low point in my life. I was struggling mentally due to suddenly being switched to online courses and cut off from physically seeing my peers and professors. I felt like I was just getting by. The announcement really put me in a great mood. I wasn’t sure what my life would be like stepping onto ISU’s campus four years ago. I was just a shy 19-year-old who didn’t know what she wanted to do in journalism. I’ve always been a big believer that hard work pays off, and it truly does.”

    Four students share what receiving a scholarship means to them (4)

    “I’ve always had a passion for business in general, but the one key area that always stood out to me was sales. I love the challenge of trying to pitch a product to a potential investor or consumer. Receiving my scholarship changed my life. The amount of stress and pressure it has relieved is indescribable. For many years, I worked two jobs and saving as much as I could, knowing someday I would have to pay for college. This opportunity has given me the chance to enjoy my time at ISU rather than trying to balance a work life and a school life. I hope one day I can also give back and change someone’s life like my donor has changed mine.”

    Are you ready to make a difference in the life of a student like Julie, Andrew, Grace, and Ryan?

    Four students share what receiving a scholarship means to them (2024)

    FAQs

    How to answer what would receiving this scholarship mean to you? ›

    You can discuss those, and then explain how scholarship funding would allow you to continue down that intended path, just like this short essay did: “The scholarship award will only push me further towards my Accounting degree and my dreams of one day having a successful career as an Accountant.

    How will this scholarship help you answer? ›

    How will this scholarship help you? You should answer this scholarship essay prompt by explaining how the award money will help you in at least one of the following ways: financially, professionally, and/or academically.

    Why receiving a scholarship is important to you? ›

    Scholarships provide financial support for students to help pay for a college degree. These funds enable students to obtain education they may not have access to otherwise. Scholarships go further than being financial aid for many students. They reward deserving students with the ability to afford higher education.

    What impact would receiving a scholarship have on you as a student? ›

    If you're looking to attend a prestigious university, a scholarship can give you the financial means. Additionally, a scholarship can help you cover the cost of living expenses while you're in school. It can include things like rent, food, and books. A scholarship can also help you graduate from college debt-free.

    What does receiving a scholarship mean to people? ›

    Receiving Honor Roll Scholarships has not only recognized the hard work that I have put into my academic career, they have given me an opportunity to continue my success. It is more than recognition of past achievements — it is an investment in my future.

    Why should I receive a scholarship example? ›

    I have faced several challenges over the years, from dyslexia to homelessness; yet I continued to earn exemplary grades and graduate at the top of my class. I deserve this scholarship because I have the strength and determination to achieve my goals, no matter what hurdles I have to overcome.

    How would you describe yourself to scholarship donors? ›

    Mention hobbies, experiences and goals that match what the review committee is looking for. Something unique that sets you apart from other applicants. This may be volunteer experience, career specialties, situational differences (growing up in an area that didn't encourage education), etc.

    How do you write a 500 word scholarship essay? ›

    The format of a 500-word scholarship essay is similar to a shorter essay. Each paragraph is about 75-125 words, and it consists of 3-5 well-written sentences. If you are writing a story or personal anecdote, the formatting can be more like a novel than a news article. It is ok to use 10% less or more words.

    What do you write in a scholarship essay? ›

    What is important to you? Insert extra-curricular interests, volunteer work, hobbies – things that make you stand our or are unusual. Academic Accomplishments: GPA, level of difficulty of courses taken, types of courses taken, etc.

    How do you write a scholarship essay about yourself? ›

    Scholarship Essay Tips
    1. Choose a topic you are passionate about.
    2. Follow a narrative structure.
    3. Re-read the essay prompt and identify the key themes.
    4. Outline your essay before writing.
    5. Make sure your outline does justice to your essay prompt.
    6. Add your real-life experiences and highlight your problem-solving abilities.
    Nov 30, 2023

    How do you start a scholarship essay? ›

    Make your intro short and sweet. Don't simply restate the question or say how you'll be answering it. Get right into it. Whatever the overall tone of your writing — whether scholarly, casual or something else — you can engage the reader with either a pertinent story or a personal anecdote.

    Why is financial aid important for students? ›

    College financial aid helps students and their families by covering higher education expenses such as tuition and fees, room and board, books and other coursework supplies, and transportation.

    Why do I deserve a scholarship? ›

    Talk about your Passion and Persistence. Letting your passion show through in your answer allows the committee to see your dedication. You deserve this scholarship based on your love of learning, your enjoyment of your field, or your passion for growth.

    How do scholarships impact your experience and your future? ›

    The impact of receiving a scholarship can greatly influence an individual's future goals and aspirations. It not only provides financial support for further education, but it also opens up numerous opportunities for personal and professional development.

    How does scholarship money affect your aid? ›

    The short answer is that, in most cases, a scholarship won't affect the financial aid offered by a college. Instead, it will help to cover costs not already paid for by financial aid, and is therefore of great benefit to the student.

    How do I write a scholarship essay about myself? ›

    Scholarship Essay Tips
    1. Choose a topic you are passionate about.
    2. Follow a narrative structure.
    3. Re-read the essay prompt and identify the key themes.
    4. Outline your essay before writing.
    5. Make sure your outline does justice to your essay prompt.
    6. Add your real-life experiences and highlight your problem-solving abilities.
    Nov 30, 2023

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