Scholarships and the nuances involved in getting one can be confusing for students as well as their parents. However, most people would jump at the chance to grab a scholarship because it can save them thousands of dollars in tuition and miscellaneous fees. There are several different types of scholarships out there, but all of them amount to the same thing. You or your child can get to college for free. Unlike student loans, you don’t have to repay scholarships. Some scholarships are either paid directly to the student, or sent to the university as payment. Charities, schools government institutions, businesses and other organizations are offering scholarships for qualified students.

How Can You Apply for a Scholarship?

Scholarships aren’t only for straight-A students. But these misconceptions about scholarships are probably some of the reasons why most students don’t apply for one. There are several types of scholarships for any student who wants to avail of a college grant, even those who don’t have straight As.

We already know about academic scholarships, but there are also athletic scholarships and department scholarships. Some providers grant scholarships just for students who are originally from a particular state.  One other misconception about scholarship grants is that only high school graduates applying for college are qualified. You can get scholarships for different levels of study, including post-graduate courses.

Grants for Nursing Students

If you want to build a career  as a nurse, you can avail of a nursing school scholarship. Four types are offered, such as scholarships, grants, work-study programs and education loans. Most nursing students avail of more than one type to pay for their education.

Most of the time, you will get a scholarship if you show a particular passion for the course. Scholarships are awarded based on various things, from special talent to your religion. If you’re looking for scholarships, the internet is a great source of information about providers and institutions willing to fund the education of deserving students.

Here are some more tips to get a nursing scholarship.

• Do the Legwork

If you want to get a scholarship, you’ll need to work hard for it. No one’s going to show up on your doorstep looking for you and offering you a scholarship. Look for scholarships that you can use, and don’t go for one just because it’s a scholarship. Read the terms and select the grants whose criteria you meet. Lastly, make sure you contact the provider directly and ask about being qualified to apply. A scholarship application packet will be sent to you and you can start there. You’re going to need to submit a self-addressed stamped envelope together with your application.

• Don’t Be Late

All scholarships providers have set deadlines. Don’t make the mistake of sending your application late, in the hope that you will be considered as a special case. If you miss the deadlines, it will tell of your hesitation to join the program. Remember, there are a lot more people around who could use a scholarship grant and no provider will give you preferential treatment.

• Be organized

Good organizational skills will get you far. If you keep your applications in proper order, you can minimize the errors. Make your application tell a story of who you are. Insert references, clips of your portfolio and letters of recommendation. Always keep your cover letters organized and concise to encourage the providers to read more.

Call to confirm whether or not your application was received. If yours got lost, you can volunteer to send a copy. Make sure you do all these before the deadline.

• Don’t Give Up

Selection for scholarships could take time. Be patient and hope for the best. However, it doesn’t hurt to send more applications so that you get a better chance of getting a scholarship sooner.