Who Wins Scholarships? 7 Characteristics of Recipients

What makes an applicant a scholarship winner? Undoubtedly, a flawless application, an interesting essay, and an engaging scholarship interview, contribute to a scholarship winner's success. But before they've even applied, there are specific characteristics that scholarship recipients have that non-recipients lack. These statistics have been mined from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study (NPSAS) by The College Investor to help provide a picture of what a scholarship recipient looks like.

7 Characteristics of Scholarship Winners

By embodying the seven characteristics of scholarship recipients, you may find yourself a scholarship winner one day, too. These qualities are built up over time or are the result of intentional choices.

They are good test takers.

The NPSAS revealed that 63% of scholarship recipients scored higher than the average SAT and ACT scores. For high school seniors, the average SAT score is 1050, while the average for the ACT is 19. To increase your chances of performing well on these standardized tests, you must put in the work. Take advantage of any standardized test prep events at your school. Utilize online test prep resources like Khan Academy and Kaplan. Finally, consider taking the test more than once. The College Board reports that 55% of high school juniors who took the SAT again as seniors performed better. The ACT states the same. For those that scored a 29 or lower on their first test, those test-takers improved their score by one point, on average, the second time around.

They have great GPA scores.

Noticing a trend? The average scholarship recipient isn't just great at taking tests, they perform well in the classroom, too. According to NPSAS, 74% of scholarship recipients have a GPA of 3.5 or higher. This means that they're typically earning an A- or higher on their work throughout the semester – in every class. If you're hoping to improve your GPA in high school, it may be time to consider tutoring or spending time on extra credit opportunities when they're offered. This added effort may not just boost your grade, but it could also help you pay for college. Furthermore, these habits that you build in high school may translate to more scholarship wins in college. NPSAS data reveals that 52% of scholarship recipients in college have a GPA of 3.5 or higher as well.

They plan to attend college full-time.

Your college attendance plans could impact whether you receive a scholarship. The NPSAS survey found that 91% of recipients are enrolled full-time in college. Many scholarships stipulate that a recipient must be enrolled full-time to qualify. Additionally, full-time enrollment leads to more financial aid opportunities.

They attend in-person classes.

Just like attending school part-time will put students at a disadvantage for winning scholarships, so will enrolling in online programs. Students enrolled in online programs are half as likely to win a scholarship, according to NPSAS data. While scholarships can benefit online students just as much as in-person students, there are other trade-offs to consider when making the choice to enroll in an online program or attend part-time. For one, this may be easier for students who are working part-time. Students that are working part-time are also getting paid, making the need for a scholarship to help subsidize their education less necessary. They also have flexibility in their schedule, and you know the old saying, "Time is money." By having more flexibility, students are creating the school/life balance that works for them, and oftentimes, that level of freedom is priceless.

They complete the FAFSA.

Some scholarships require that recipients "demonstrate financial need," and there is only one way that students can do this: by completing the FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The FAFSA will take the information provided by students and parents to determine how financially needy a student is. If students do not fill out the FAFSA, they will not be eligible for these types of scholarships, no matter which other qualifications they meet. Need-based scholarships can be distributed by the federal or state governments, colleges, and private organizations. Failing to submit the FAFSA could result in missed scholarship opportunities. This form becomes available by December 31, 2023, and many states have their own FASFA deadlines. Fill it out as soon as possible once it becomes available as many states distribute financial aid and need-based scholarships on a first-come, first-serve basis.

They attend private vs. public colleges.

While private colleges typically have a higher price tag, they are also more generous with their scholarship dollars than public universities. This is why students should apply to a variety of schools. The NPSAS states that students who enrolled in private, not-for-profit colleges (18%) won more scholarships than those at public schools (14%). Because of this, scholarship recipients were more likely to enroll in private than public colleges. Keep in mind as you research and apply to colleges that the cost of attendance is typically not what students pay. Sometimes, merit scholarships can make a private college the same cost as an in-state, public school. Every college features a net price calculator on its Financial Aid website. Students can utilize this calculator to see the cost of attendance at that particular school. Oftentimes, these calculators will figure financial aid and merit scholarships into the cost that students can be expected to pay. You'd be surprised at how affordable these private schools can become, especially those with large endowments.

They major in one of the STEM fields.

According to CNBC, STEM jobs are expected to grow by 15% between 2021 and 2031. This will make STEM graduates some of the most in-demand throughout the next decade. As a result, they are in-demand students, and to attract those individuals, more scholarships are being distributed to STEM majors (16%) than not (14%). While this may seem limiting, STEM awards actually encompass a great breadth of fields. For example, the SMART Scholarship from the DoD has approved 24 majors that can apply. These include sciences like Oceanography, Environmental Sciences, and Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Sciences, in addition to more "traditional" STEM fields.

How to Win Scholarships

While molding yourself into a stellar student and making specific college choices can play a role in your ability to win scholarships, there are other steps you can take to be successful in the scholarship search and application.

Use Fastweb.

We can save you a significant amount of time as you search for scholarships. By creating a profile on Fastweb, you're allowing us to find scholarships that you qualify for from our database of 1.5 million scholarships. With a list of scholarships that are tailored to your interests, achievements, and post-high school plans, you'll be working smarter, not harder, in your scholarship search.

Set scholarship goals.

The more scholarships you apply for, the better your chances of winning. That's why it's important to set achievable goals for yourself. Look at your schedule and determine what is most feasible for you. Maybe it's spending 10 minutes a day working on a scholarship application, or perhaps it's applying for two scholarships per week. Find whatever works for you, and make a commitment to keep your goals.

Keep applying.

Finally, keep applying for scholarships throughout your collegiate or graduate school career. So many students make the mistake of limiting their scholarship search to their junior and senior years of high school. There are thousands of scholarship opportunities out there for college, graduate, and non-traditional students. Keep setting goals and applying for scholarships until you're finished with school.