Advice for Applying for Scholarships

Studies have shown that the average cost of a college education is estimated to cost up to $35,000 per year. Whether you are a new high school graduate or an existing college student, it is important to find as many sources of financial aid to help pay for your college education. Many students do this by applying for scholarships. Here are some key points to remember when applying.

Start Early

When you apply for college, you should start your search for scholarships as soon as possible.   It is important to start early because you will need to do some research on the requirements of the scholarship and determined if you are eligible to apply. Also many scholarships have deadlines for the last day to submit your application.

Use All Resources

There are many scholarship programs available worldwide. You should make sure that you explore all resources that are available to you.  If you wish to go to school overseas, you should check and see if there are organizations that offer scholarships or grant money for students residing in that country. For example, the Kazakhstan government is offering grants and loans to students interested in the journalism field due to the Kazakhstan Democracy movement.

Review & Follow Instructions

When you are applying for a scholarship, it is important to review all of the information in the application package and follow the instructions. For example, if you are required to write a 500 word essay, you should stay within that limit and do not go overboard. If you fail to follow the instructions given, you will lower your chances of receiving the scholarship.

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Art Scholarships – Finding the Right One

$100 Perpetual Scholarships granted free tuiti... 

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College is expensive. Without financial aid and scholarships many deserving and talented art students would be unable to attend college.

It comes as no suprise that college bound art students need financial assistance. According to BrainTrack.com, 80 percent of all full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial assistance. This statistic also cites an average annual tuition cost of $22,000 and an average of $13,000 in financial aid.

Art scholarship come from a variety of different organizations – community and civic groups, charitable foundations, professional organizations, art festivals, colleges and art schools. There are also scholarships awarded at the state level through state and county funding , and through state operated colleges. The criteria for art scholarship awards is also different. Some are based on academic performance, others are awarded based on art talent and competition, while others are given based on an art professor’s observations of talent in classes.

The application process needs to begin well in advance of the deadline for applying. Experts suggest researching different art programs and focusing the those programs and scholarships that fit the student’s ambitions and are worth the application effort. It is also important to look at what past winners did to get the scholarship. Most importantly, apply early. First impressions do count and early applications are more likely to stand out in evaluators’ minds.

“Art isn’t just a throw-away class…” Careers in art can be rewarding beyond income. In 2004, there were 230,000 working artists in the United States. Of that number, 30 percent were self-employed and 70 percent were salaried. It is also worth noting that art educators are always in demand.

 

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Getting the Money to Back up Your Dream

So you want to go to a performing arts school or major in the arts? Is money a pending factor?

You don’t have to worry; there are scholarship options out there for you to help you make your dreams come true.

Often times, most students don’t get scholarships because, the truth is, they just don’t know about them. Typically students apply for two or three scholarships, and feel let down if they don’t receive one. This is not the best approach.

If you are looking for some serious financial help, you need to take some time and research your scholarship options.

Start by focusing on art or drama scholarships. You can find details about these options through specific universities or colleges. Your own high school drama or art departments may also have information regarding this specific scholarships.

Next consult with a guidance counselor about other scholarships available. Often organizations or businesses offer open-ended scholarships (ones that do not require you to major in a certain career). Your school will have a wealth of information since often time’s businesses, organizations, and college use the school as a venue to advertise their scholarships.

Next look online. There are websites dedicated to getting out the information about various financial opportunities. These sites will inform you of what scholarships are available and how to apply for them.

Spread your net wide and apply for lots of different scholarships, even if you think it is unlikely you will be the chosen candidate. If you apply for more, you increase your chances of receiving financial aid for your performing arts career.

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The Financial Considerations of Online Versus Traditional Educations

Deciding between a traditional college education and an online one can be daunting as there are many factors to consider. One of the most important aspects of this decision is the financial cost of a traditional education versus an online education. The following are some of the similarities and differences, in cost, between the two.

Earn While You Learn

Online education programs are designed for people who have to juggle classes with a job. Unlike a traditional education, you can work and earn a living while you earn a degree online.

A Better Future

Advancing a career is the goal for many who choose an online program. You can take courses slowly over time while you prepare for a shift in careers or to advance in the career you already have; choosing to earn a degree online often results in a better paying job.

Fewer Loans

Rather than emerging from college with a degree and years of debt, an online program can give you the same degree with less debt. By taking fewer courses at a time you can spread out the cost of earning your degree.

More Choice

The decision to earn a degree online means that you may have a wider selection of programs open to you than if you were to pursue a traditional education. You can then easily determine which college offers the best program for your needs and finances.

As more and more employers consider an online degree to be as good as a traditional degree, there’s every reason to make your finances a primary consideration when choosing a college degree program.

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Where Are The Scholarships?

You want to further your education.  You are a bright student.  You have worked very hard in high school so that you can go on to higher education.  Higher education is expensive, even if money has not been a problem.  If you have worked hard, stayed involved in your school and its activities and have made the good grades, garnering a scholarship of some sort should not be difficult.  Before you make the final decision of what school you will attend after graduation, there are many factors being weighed.  One of the most important is how you are going to pay for that education.  Scholarships vary widely from school to school, even student to student.  Finding the right school is very important, finding the way to pay for that school is a little tricky, but it can be done.

You have narrowed down your choices to the top two.  You have seen these schools, talked to the right people, maybe you have even been on a tour or spent the night at the schools.  Now you play the numbers game.  You apply to both schools and see who offers you the best scholarship.  More often than not, scholarships are bargaining chips.  Sometimes you can bargain with the school.  In some cases, there is always more money to be found.  Once you have received all the money you are going to from the school, you may need to do some more homework.  There are literally thousands of general scholarships out there for the taking.  More than 20% of scholarships offered go unclaimed at the beginning of every semester of college.  This is free money that is not being claimed.

There are search engines on the web.  There are web sites that will take your information and look for scholarships for you.  Your education is the most important thing you will do towards attaining the perfect career, getting all the financial help you can will insure that you are not paying for it for the rest of your life.

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Art Scholarships

If you choose to pursue your education in the Arts, you have chosen a very interesting, yet competitive field.  There are a lot of talented people out there, and you must find the way to make your talent stand out.  Not an easy job in a world where almost anything people can do constitutes a type of talent.  The good news is that because the Arts have become so well recognized as a viable course of study, there are many, many arts represented through these academies.  Where Art Schools felt to once only represent those who could draw, the Arts now encompasses drawing, as well as performance Art, including dance and theatre.

If it is the entertainment industry you wish to conquer, you know you have a very difficult road ahead.  The competition is fierce and with all the reality shows, such as “American Idol” and “America’s Got Talent” many, many talented people are bringing themselves to the forefront.  Never before has so much been at stake.  Exposure on one of these shows can almost guarantee at least a shot at a career.

Not everyone has “it”, the ability to have a talent and know how to use it without learning much about it.  The Elvis Presleys are few and far between.  Everyone else has to learn their craft, even if their craft is their God given voice.  This is where Schools for the Arts offer the best in getting ready for the real world.  If you have a talent, use that talent.  If you are an artist, prepare your portfolio with your best work.  If you are a singer, make sure your repertoire represents the best of what you can do.  Scholarships are offered from Art Schools, but you must make sure that you are giving them exactly what they want, raw talent that can be trained to be amazing talent.  That is their job, and a great place for you to start.

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Available Scholarships for Dancers

College can be extremely difficult to fund. It seems as if every year college tuitions all over the United States are being raised by 10-20% what they were the year before. As a dance student who is looking to major in dance this can be extremely discouraging. Not only is the tuition expensive but the supplies and fees associated with studying dance can be high.

Luckily, for dance students there are many dance scholarship oppertunities for dance students all over the United States to help fund their pursuit of a dance degree. Here is a look at some of the most popular dance scholarships available to college students.

American Harlequin Corporation. This is the leading maker of the type of dance floors most studios use. This scholarship is reserved for students who are looking to obtain a college degree in dance. Their dance teacher must nominate them and they must meet a list of criteria but the scholarship can range from $1,000 to $5,000 for the year.

Invidiual Scholarships Based Off of Schools. Many college have dance teams or programs that offer full ride scholarships to students who are studying dance and on the dance team. Each college is unique so inquire at the college of your choice if you are looking to get one of these.

Washington Post. The newspaper in the Washington DC offers a scholarship to dance students who live, work or took dance classes in teh Washington DC area. There are certain criteria that they must meet such as a minimal GPA, years of dance, dance school of choice and nomination forms.

Department Scholarships. Many colleges and universities have department scholarships that they offer to deserving students. The criteria and eligability for these can vary and each school has a different set of scholarships they can award. Inquire at your school of choice to see what that dance department may have to offer in terms of funding.

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Types of College Financial Aid

Obtaining financial aid for college can be one the biggest worries for someone that is entering college. Getting into college is the easy part for many people, but actually paying for it is the difficult part. There are several types of financial aid available to those that are going to college or secondary school. These types of financial aid include grants, loans and scholarships. Most all incoming college students must fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to see what kind of aid they qualify for.

A grant for college means that a student does not have to pay the money back, much like a scholarship. Grants may be based on both need and merit, and the federal government is the largest provider of student grants in the United States. The most common grant, the Federal Pell Grant, is given to financially disadvantaged undergraduate students who cannot pay for college without financial assistance. Another type of Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant is awarded to students who cannot provide any money of their own to pay for college. Finally, the Montgomery GI Bill gives money to students that have served in the military and need assistance for tuition.

Loans are given students from both government and private resources. Most common types of federal loans include The Federal Family Education Loan and Stafford Loans and William D. Ford Federal Direct Loans. These loans do depend on credit scores, but often they will allow a co-signer if a student doesn’t qualify. Private loans may be given by banks or credit unions and are based on credit scores and often have higher interest rates.

Finally, scholarships are given for students that have need, display excellence in academics or athletics or a combination of both. Scholarships do not have to be paid back, and often there are separate applications with essays or interviews before scholarships are granted.

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Types of Financial Aid for College

Obtaining financial aid for school can seem like a daunting, if not impossible task. Finding ways to fund college will take determination and effort, as you will have to fill out paperwork, conduct research and maybe even speak to scholarship committees. There are a three main types of financial aid for college-loans, grants and scholarships.

To receive a loan for your college education, you can apply for private or public loans. Applying for public loans will require you to fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which is a federal form. This form will ask for your financial information, along with your parent or spouses. Depending on the information provided on the form, you may or may not be eligible for public loans for school. Private loans are obtained from banks, credit unions and other lenders specializing in loans for college students. These loans often have higher interest rates that public loans, and are more dependent on credit scores than need.

To obtain a grant for school, that FAFSA must be filled out as well. If you or your family is in a lower income bracket and you have a significant financial needs, you may be given a federal grant for your education. These grants do not have to be paid back, and are in place specifically to assist students in paying for higher education. The most common grants are Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant and the Montgomery GI Bill.

Finally, the last type of student financial aid comes in the form of scholarships. Scholarships may be merit-based, need-based or both. Scholarships will often have an application, essay questions to answer, possible request for reference statements and sometimes an interview process. Scholarships can range in amount from a a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars.

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Scholarship for Dancers

A man and a woman performing a modern dance.
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College education can be very taxing. You might be in a situation where you cannot spend a lot of money on college, because of a lot of financial dependencies. That is why scholarships are the silver lining in a stormy sky.

The good thing for dancers in the US is that they can apply for scholarships. Scholarships can reduce the burden of pursuing higher education. Here are two scholarship programs that dancers can use. You can also search for other scholarships. These two are just to give you a glimpse on what you can expect.

Harlequin Dance Scholarship

This scholarship is for dancers who have enrolled in a dance program, and who would like to take up dancing professionally. The age limit is from fifteen and twenty one years of age. The scholarship amount is twenty five thousand dollars. And the number of scholarships is twenty. Students can expect to get up to five thousand dollars as scholarship money. For applying for the scholarship, a letter has to be obtained from the dancing instructor. This letter serves as the nomination letter. A random draw is held to select the dancers for the scholarship. If you miss it, don’t worry. The scholarship will return the next year.

Jessica Karrat Dance Scholarship Fund

The Jessica Karrat Dance Scholarship Fund is for deserving students who want to pursue a career in dance. It helps students fulfill their dreams by funding their dance education. The fund is named so because it is a memorial fund named after Jessica Karrat. Jessica died in a car accident at the tender age of thirteen. Much of Jessica’s time was devoted to taking dance sessions for her friends. Jessica was known to be a happy person, who was full of life. Unfortunately life did not favor her. Since this fund is memorial in nature, the corpus of amount is not large. Yet funds starting from minimum amount of five hundred dollars are given to a deserving dancer.

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