en talking with families about paying for college, scholarships usually come up fast. And while it’s true that scholarships can make a big dent in college costs, they can also be a little confusing and definitely time-consuming if you don’t know where to focus.

At Class 101, we see it all the time. Students are applying too late, applying to the wrong scholarships, or missing opportunities simply because no one explained how the process actually works.

We think it’s helpful to start by breaking down the three main types of scholarships and how to approach them strategically, since your time, and let’s be honest, your teen’s essay-writing-energy is limited. 

1. Merit-Based Scholarships: Scholarships You Earn

Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on what a student has already accomplished in their high school career. Think:

• -GPA and course rigor
• -SAT or ACT test scores
• -Leadership, involvement, or special talents

These scholarships are often built right into the college application process. In some cases, students are automatically considered just by applying to the school. Pay close attention to how each college on your list treats merit scholarships and their deadlines.

Our Class 101 tip: Test prep and academic planning aren’t just about getting in, they’re about getting paid to go. That prior work can really pay off! 

2. Competitive College Scholarships: Scholarships You Compete For

These are the scholarships offered by colleges that require extra effort and often extra strategy.

What many students don’t realize about competitive scholarships:

• -You don’t always need to be accepted yet to apply
• -Scholarship deadlines can come before admission decisions
• -Some scholarships require separate applications, essays, or interviews
  

This is one of the most common (and costly) mistakes we see. Families wait for acceptance letters from a university…only to find out the scholarship application deadline has already passed. 

Our Class 101 tip: Understand competitive scholarship deadlines at your target colleges and apply before you know you’re accepted. 

3. Outside Scholarships: Company & Organization Scholarships

These are the scholarships everyone talks about. You’ve heard your coworkers talk aboutscholarships from their companies or seen local nonprofits give them away. These come from local, regional, and national organizations. You can find these scholarships by using one of the online scholarship databases, like fastweb.com. 

Here’s the reality of outside scholarships:

• -They’re usually very competitive
• -They take an investment of time and effort
• -They’re harder to win than families expect
  

You’ll often hear that “millions of dollars go unawarded,” but that doesn’t mean every scholarship is realistic for every student. Randomly applying to dozens of outside scholarships can quickly become frustrating.

Our Class 101 tip: We help students focus on scholarships that actually fit their profile. We want their time to be spent wisely, not wasted. After helping students complete tens of thousands of these applications, we also know a thing or two about how students can position themselves to be selected.

Timing Matters 

One of the biggest misconceptions is that scholarships come after acceptance. Timing matters more than most families think.

In reality, there are a lot of moving parts and every college and university does it slightly differently and on its own timeline. We understand why it can be so overwhelming to keep track of!

Some applications double as scholarship applications. Others require a completely separate scholarship application. Knowing what’s automatic and what’s not can make all the difference.

Many deadlines happen early in senior year so it’s important for students and families to be prepared ahead of Senior Year. At Class 101 we have a saying, “early engagement is a game changer.” It’s our slogan for a reason!

How Class 101 Helps Students Win More Scholarship Money

What we know for certain – scholarships aren’t about luck, they’re about planning. At Class 101 in Bloomington, we help families:

• -Understand which scholarships are realistic and worth shooting for
• -Track important deadlines (so nothing gets missed!)
• -Connect academics and test prep to scholarship eligibility
• -Build a clear, personalized funding strategy
• -Prepare students in their Junior year to easily tackle applications

The goal isn’t to apply everywhere. It’s to apply smart.

We’d Love to Help

With the right plan, scholarships feel less overwhelming and far more manageable. Schedule a free consultation with an experienced Class 101 Bloomington advisor today.

Kim  Stegemoller

Class 101 Owner + College Advisor