Scholarships >> Browse Articles >> Promotional Scholarships
Promotional Awards Can Make the Difference
May 18, 2009
Many students don’t win scholarships for college — that’s according to a recent FastWeb poll of over 40,000 college students.
According to the survey, about 80 percent of respondents have not received a single scholarship. While it seems that the overachievers eventually get cash from somewhere — be it their school or an independent scholarship donor — the “B” and “C” students are often overlooked.
That’s why promotional scholarships are more important than ever. Let’s face it, promotional awards may not challenge your intellect like writing an essay, but contests like FastWeb’s Why I Deserve a Scholarship video contest, Create Your Own Scholarship and Scholarship BootCamp can still earn you valuable cash for school. Most don’t have strict terms or require essays and there are lots of them out there.
Tony Pintarelli, a graduate of the University of California, San Diego, worked his way through college – sometimes putting in 70 hours a week between two jobs. Tony’s problem was one that many students face—he didn’t qualify for need-based financial aid and although he worked, there was still an exceptional financial strain, making it hard for him to get through school.
When FastWeb asked students to submit their scholarship ideas, he came up with the “Stuck in the Financial Middle” award for students like himself and selected Cassie Grymes as his recipient. Both won $4,000.
While Tony’s story isn’t new, it is becoming increasingly common and with the high number of scholarship applicants, getting an academic award continues to get harder. It’s that much more important to take a creative approach when looking for cash.
Adrianna Bayer also won $4,000 when her video entry got the most votes in the first Why I Deserve a Scholarship contest – a lucky voter won $1,000. And in the recent Scholarship BootCamp promotion, four lucky participants won $1,000 each.
And these are just a few of the awards like this out there.
So get yourself out of that 80 percent bracket. Keeping an eye out for promotional scholarships like these can mean the difference between making tuition and taking out loans.
notanavyperson
over 1 year ago
I can't walk land stand as much as I use to as an LPN I am disable - to only four hours of walking,standing and eight hours of sitting ,I have only paid $8,000.00 on my loan,I have paid more but only the eight -thousand counts,since I am in default /deferred I cant get a loan to take class to skip to the RN degree and go for the BS to get a desk job that would support me being disable.$3500 would get me to my goal.
ConstanceF36
almost 2 years ago
So far my family and I have been doing a descent job when it comes to finances but since my dad lost his job last year its been getting harder and harder. I have been applying for jobs all over tucson since we moved here and so far the only thing I have been told is "Sorry Not Hiring" and it has been getting frustrating. My family is now on a budget which doesn't let us buy very much only what we need for that week and that's all. The feeling of not being able to find a job to help ease the financial burden on my parents who have been supporting me evry step of the way has not been an easy task. Trying to find the funding for education when you have been denied jobs left and right makes life more difficult. And on top of everything when you are born with a disability like spina bifida and you know full well that the medical bills are beyond comprehension it makes the frustration turn into a nightmare. My parents say that we are doing ok all we have to do is be careful with how we spend our money but I can see it in their eyes the pressure that they are feeling. I really wish there was something that can be done so that my family doesn't have to suffer anymore. As I said we are doing all right for now but who knows how long this will last.
heatherurich8986
almost 2 years ago
Well... I am quite sad right now due to this issue exactly! If I only had enough money to pay for all the classes I want to take a quarter, to finish faster, as I am a non-traditional student who was told in 1997 that due to two brain surgeries and a stroke, I had an IQ of 65 and would be pretty much a vegetable the rest of my life ! At the current age of 35, I have almost completed four quarters of online schooling through Rasmussen College Online to receive my Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice. I had huge trials and tribulations to get where I am today! I was driven by DETERMINATION! I went on to learn to talk, walk, how to take care of myself etc. I was like a newborn baby! I had two beautiful children, and was a single mom for the first ten years of their lives! My last goal for myself since my stroke is to successfully complete college and due to lack of funding I am at a very deterring spot! If anyone has some advice for me or ideas please feel free to let ne know! My email is heather.urich@smail.rasmussen.edu all comments and suggestions are welcome!!
MarissaC834
almost 2 years ago
Im really in the need of a scholarship. With it, it i will be able to help me out a lot, it will help me buy books for school, clothes, gas money to get to school and pay for other classes that i need to take as well. I have been trying to find a job but unfortunatley havent been able to. So im really in the need of this scholarship.
spookiefrog
almost 2 years ago
I am an 37 year old mom going back to school to get a degree and a better job. I really could you use a scholarship for school because it is expensive and I don't work.
dbprincess
almost 2 years ago
I got laid off from my job after 11.5 years, so I decided to go to school. This was the best thing I ever did for myself. I am the first of five siblings to go to school. I am so excited I am making a 4.00 right now! So I need scholarship help so I can contuine going to school.
MattScheid
almost 2 years ago
Very encouraging article. I feel we fall into this category. Any tips on how to "hunt" for these promo scholarships?
stephanierm
almost 2 years ago
I am a 32 year old female that just enrolled into my first year of college, I am excited about going back to school untill I found out that the great state of Ohio no longer helps its own to go to school to get out of poverty. I am going back to school because my husband has a disc disease in his back and he has allready had one surgery that cost us our house becasuse he was unable to work and now we are liveing in a 14ft x 28ft cabin that has one bedroom and we have 3 children that are 7,5 and 3. This is all we can afford since we lost our mortgage and everything we owned. I cant seem to find any help to pay for my schooling that way I can help my family from anymore pain. So if any one could give me some advice on where to look, please leave a comment on here to let me know, thank you very much.
DanaA155
about 2 years ago
hi i am dana alkhandak
and i need this scholarship because i want to accomplish my goal and be the first one from my families generation to actually go to college and make a future of themselves(:
thanks for the support you wont regret it.
masonbm3
about 2 years ago
This is a great article and I feel I fall into this category, how can I apply for a scholarship that I may possibly get?
114BonnieStavely
about 2 years ago
I really need all the help I can get, my mother is a single parent and she has been laid off from her job since Nov. 2009 and she hasn't been able to find another job right now. My father passed away in Sept. and I have had a ruff year in a half. I've been in the hospital with blood clots in each lung and I also had to miss my high school grad. because of the medical problems, please please please help me with coolege and my college books, I really really need all the help I can get, please think about me for this scholarship and any other scholarships that you have. Thank You, Bonnie Stavely
mamat8831
about 2 years ago
If I won an award like this, it would take alot off my shoulders. I am raising my 4 granddaughters and trying to go to school and take care of a household. I am married and my husband works all the hour he can to take care of us so I can finish my degree in Computer Science. It would sure help out so O didn<t have to borrow so much money.
helpful
about 2 years ago
Would like very muce to win this award.
Kimmbberlee
about 2 years ago
how can i apply?
jimmysarazin
about 2 years ago
great opportunity for just about everyone