"If you’re planning to attend college next year or you have a dependent who is, you may know the FAFSA application period for the 2021-2022 school year began on October 1st. At this point, you’re probably wondering how much financial aid you might qualify for, if any at all. And no matter what, you’re eagerly hoping and praying you can find some scholarships to fill in the gaps.
But, the scholarship game isn’t for the faint of heart, nor is it without its share of competition. According to statistics from SavingforCollege.com, less than 10 percent of college students receive scholarships in any given year, and the average scholarship amount was only $3,852 at last count. They also note that the ‘raw odds of winning a scholarship are about 1 in 8 for a student in a Bachelor’s degree program,’ and that full ride scholarships are few and far between.
At the end of the day, you’re applying for the same scholarships as everyone else, and not everyone can win. With that in mind, there are plenty of tips and tricks that can help you pay for college with scholarships and similar awards.
Here are some of the smartest strategies you can use to get ahead:" …