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Promotional Awards Can Make the Difference

Promotional Awards Can Make the Difference

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.


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    JadeL93

    4 months ago

    I finally got accepted to my dream school and funding it is a hell hole. Grants and scholarships are really hard to come by and actually be awarded. I am a acting major and there isn't really any scholarships that help provide for that major. Like any major acting should be supported. It's really sad that most of awarded scholarships are focused on "A" students and academic majors. I have passion for my career and i believe with hard work i too can inspire others with the same interests. Not every one is the same.

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    DianeF10

    5 months ago

    I agree with Tony that those of us in the middle have a hard time getting scholarships. But a group that is always overlooked when it comes to scholarships is the over 50 group. I never had the opportunity to go to college after high school (way back when) because I grew up in an orphanage and back then, we were given a pat on the back when we aged out of the "system" and had to make it on our own. I ended up marrying and raising my kids and then started college at a more mature age. I had to put that aside when my husband became terminally ill and died of cancer. After he died I picked up college again while working and am in my junior year now, but I am not sure if I will be able to continue because of the cost. Sure I recieve financial aid but a scholarship would be nice. I have applied for many but no dice.

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    unhappyflint

    5 months ago

    yes, they are over looked because people put all their mind in on 'A' and looking at the people that achieve all the time and never on the ones that never did achieve. it just like mom she say she dont have a favor child but she put her praise in on the child that achieve all "A" and never on the child that didnt achieve (luck for me i had a good mom that didnt do any of this.) but its also like black student they are over look at larger college and then you have white student that is over because they dont have grade or funds to go college (open your eyes just pill off the skin and look in it call discrimnation.) it dont matter what size or color it just people need to think. you the different between mix people and full black and white and forgineer people it this. i am be to point

    mix people will give to both side it dont matter what race.
    forgineer just want to be notice and be accepted they have lot bring to table.
    black and white your still in pass get over it.
    so some people will say i am deep to me i just telling you whats i see.\
    i am not going to show the negitive of people but if you show the negitive of me then now it time you open your eyes. yes deep.

    it good to be mix.

    i dont do video on people but what i do pray for people they get job, they get degree but them same people come back and bite me. but know i dont do video i refused to show negitive when god made postive.

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    dross

    5 months ago

    I understand and agree that scholarships are given out as deemed appropriate but have a comment for scholarships to those over 50. Is there a category that allows those over 50 to submit an essay or sort? I desperately need a scholarship to finish out my degree and possibly to continue my education in obtaining a Master's.

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    RyanS2328

    5 months ago

    Providing education for all ages should be the #1 priority of the American government. Investing in the individuals of this great nation will bring the greatest rewards. Instead, our government funds ridiculous studies, and projects outside our borders. My career goal is to become a secondary education teacher/professor. Invest in me and, in turn, I will invest myself in hundreds of students. Pay it forward, America.

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    ShubhaAH

    5 months ago

    HI,
    Myself Shubha A, have an passion to do my Master's in Visual Arts & also like to exhibit my Painting works do i get a scahlorship, I finished my graduation in (B F A)Bachelor of Fine Arts (Painting) in Bangalore 2007. Passion to go deep in my reasearch on my subject (Painting) in a wast range so is their any possibility for schlorship for me, i see nature in a vast vision, so like to have a research on it specially...please suggest me,
    Most of my work looks like Nature in the form of abstract was working in IDIOM Design & Consul tent company..now doing my Master' s in Visual Arts, in Print Making, in Graphic....is their any opportunity to display my works, please let me now.

    I was quite interested in yours site, k if their is any option. Please let me now, k take care.
    Thank u

    Bye...

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    NatashaA32

    5 months ago

    I have applied for all kinds of scholarships and lots and lots of them. Nothing. I am putting my- self through with out any family help. I qualify for Federal Aid but that is only half the picture. I am half way in my junior year and when I graduate my students loans are going to look like the Nation Debt. With the economy the way it is now I dont know if I can qualify for student loans to finish and will have to have scholarships or I can't go. Yes, I'm whinning, Sorry, I know I am just one of many in this perdictiment.

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    MeseretG8

    5 months ago

    your scholars mostly concer only for us ristendts what about africans i want to be a part of it

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    ShiontaP

    5 months ago

    In this economy we all need to reconsider our education and think just having a high school education and try to receive degrees instead. I am a married woman who recently enrolled myself back into college to become a pharmacy tech and hopefully later becoming a pharmacist. I am in dier need of a scholarship or two. You see, I am a family of six and the only one working due to the fact that my husband underwent brain surgery and unable to return back to work right now.

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    KaitlinI6

    5 months ago

    This is so true!!!
    I've applied for several scholarships and haven't heard anything yet.
    All I want is to go to my #1 college-The Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia and if I can't attend that college, it will be the worst thing that ever happened to me.
    I don't understand why it is so hard to receive scholarships and grants especially if a student has good grades and wants to attend college.
    I've worked hard in school all my life and since my parents are divorced and my mom is barely making ends meet, I would like to receive a college educations and hopefully make it easier for my mom and younger sister who wants to attend college the following year.
    Thank You!!!!
    Kaitlin Irwin