The scholarship application process can be extremely overwhelming. From filling out applications to writing essays to submitting test scores, there’s a lot that students must do. Add this on top of their everyday schoolwork, and it’s easy to become overwhelmed.
As a guidance counselor, you can play a huge role in ensuring that students submit their scholarship applications in a timely matter. By acting as an advocate and helping wherever possible, you can help students achieve their collegiate dreams.
Here’s how counselors can help students finish their scholarship applications.
Emphasize that Time is of the Essence
When it comes to the scholarship application process, let students know that time isn’t exactly on their side. Encourage students to get started as soon as possible so that they apply before the deadline.
Work with students to create a schedule that lists when scholarship applications are due. Since these dates are likely to be different for each application, a calendar gives students a visual representation of how much time they have left.
You can even encourage them to add these due dates to their phone’s calendar. This way, they can receive alerts when a due day is nearing.
Create a Checklist
Scholarship applications aren’t always the same, but many of them require the same kind of information. Create a generic checklist for students to use to ensure that they have everything they need to submit a scholarship application.
Be sure that your checklist includes items such as:
- Letters of recommendation
- Essay
- Official high school transcript
- Standardized test scores
- Application fee
Encourage students to create a checklist for each application. This way, they can mark off items as they are submitted.
Use Scholar’s App
Scholar’s App automates the entire tracking and management process for counselors. Our app allows you to track each student’s applications and award status in a single dashboard. Other features include:
- Requests for documents
- Deadline reminders
- Text/email notifications to students
By using Scholar’s App, you can create customized checklists to ensure that students are meeting milestones. This feature helps remind college-bound students to submit their FAFSA, plan college visits, and verify graduation requirements.
Counselors who use Scholar’s App see a 75% increase in completed scholarship applications!
Our all-in-one solution is a must for counselors and parents who want to ensure their students make progress on their scholarship applications. Scholar’s App makes the process less cumbersome and confusing, which encourages more students to apply.
Support your student’s success today. Download Scholar’s App and see just how beneficial automation and centralized information tracking can be for counselors, parents, and others involved in the process.
Final Thoughts
As a counselor, you want to know that your students will go on to bigger and better things. By being supportive and helpful during the scholarship application process, you’ll find that students are more encouraged to apply.
Scholar’s App is one of the best tools not only for counselors but parents and students as well. We match students with local, state, and national scholarships while keeping track of their application process.
Get started today!