Students are encouraged to apply for scholarships
Mar 23, 2011|
With well over $1 million in local, private funds available every year to help students on lower Delmarva pay for college, what's the No. 1 reason all those monies don't get awarded?
Students aren't applying.
There are several reasons students don't apply, in spite of the generosity of our
community and the eagerness of students to find financial aid:
- Students don't apply because they don't know about the scholarships.
- They don't like to write essays.
- They don't fit the qualifications, which are sometimes so narrow, only a very few people
will qualify.
- The dollar value gained does not seem enough to justify the time and effort of
submitting an application, if being selected is not a certainty.
The Delmarva Education Foundation helps people find money to continue
their education. DEF maintains a free, searchable database of local
scholarships at our website, www.delmarvaed.org. DEF staff works with
scholarship providers to help them publicize their scholarships and
increase their applicant pools. DEF advisers work with students to help
them find scholarships for which they fit the qualifications.Deadlines for
financial aid for fall admission are rapidly approaching; many have already passed.
Some local providers report their frustration: They have few
applicants -- or none.If you are a student, check out DEF's website to
find local dollars you qualify for. They can add up to real money, especially
where you fit a narrow qualification -- Are you left handed? The child of a
firefighter? Our database and advisers will help you find those good bets.
The time to apply is now.
Katherine Harting, Princess Anne
Harting is executive director of Delmarva Education Foundation. -- Editor