STRUGGLING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS

By LINDSEY BULLERDICK

Senior year is most often described as “the most fun year of high school” filled with celebration.  While this may be true, what some may be forgetting is the college application process and all that it entails.  For most seniors, the application process is over by December, but there are a slew of college-related tasks that have to be completed in the final months of high school.

Housing arrangements, financial aid, and scholarship applications are just a few of the many things that have to be processed before high school seniors can officially become college freshmen.  While these assignments are always taxing, the scholarship search seems to become more difficult by the year.  For some, this may be hard to believe because of the many awards that are available to apply for on sites such as the high school guidance webpage.  However, the difficulty lies in the requirements that applicants are asked to meet in order to be given the prestigious awards.

LINDSEY BULLERDICK FOR THE WIZARD WEEKLY

It is to be expected, applicants are asked to demonstrate great grades, responsibility, and an eagerness to learn.  Nevertheless, “Some of the criteria that students are required to meet are very specific to family heritage and such things, limiting the number of people who can apply,” expressed WHS senior, Roseanna Catania.  She and many other WHS seniors are experiencing this struggle as it seems that good grades and community involvement are no longer enough to score a scholarship.  

Some of the criteria is so specific that “...one even required that the applicant be the grandchild of a strawberry farmer!” Catania expressed frustratedly.  While there are scholarships that do not have such specific requirements, their scarcity causes them to become swamped with applicants.  Consequently, the odds of being selected become even smaller.  As exasperating as this process is, rest assured, there is reasoning behind the specifics of so many of the scholarships.

It is no secret that getting into a college is becoming increasingly more competitive and naturally, scholarships are following suit.  As the curriculum becomes more challenging, standards are noticeably being raised and the stress of getting into college only continues to build.  To combat this, be sure to stay up to date on deadlines.  Hang in there seniors, the end is in sight!