Dancing Paintbrush Designs

For the past two years I have been pursuing my education.  I finished my Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in June and now I'm working toward my Master's Degree in Illustration.  Because of this I have been looking into scholarships to help with the cost.  I wonder if anyone knows the hoops that people have to jump through to find decent scholarships to apply for.  Many of what they are calling "scholarships" are nothing more than raffles or drawings where the applicant puts in all sorts of personal information and must endure the clogging of the email channels from then on.

In applying for so many of these scholarships, and having won a few, I can give a little valuable information.  There are several kinds of scholarships that people applying should be aware of.

1.  The Scholarship Contest:  is really a contest where you must submit more than an essay, such as a photo, video, or design, and which is usually judged by popular opinion (social media) as well as a judge or committee.  It's only a scholarship because the money, if won, is sent directly to the school not to the recipient.

2.  The Promotion:  is not really a scholarship at all but usually does have monies sent to a school and not a recipient.   The promotion requires the applicant to buy something (such as a book), or to give 5 or more friend's addresses and information.  This kind is more of a raffle or drawing.  The chances of winning a promotion are so slim you have a better chance of being struck by lightening or winning the lottery.

3.  The Essay Contest:  is the most common scholarship where a certain grade point average is required along with an essay of varying lengths.  The applicant is chosen mostly on the quality of the essay.

4.  The Scholarship:  is the least common scholarship because it is judged on the basis of financial need and grade point average taken together.  Sometimes an essay is requested as well, but not always.

Most scholarships are contests that happen only once a year, but there are a few that repeat monthly.  Most of the best scholarships require essays from 250 words to 1000 words.  Many want to know "how you will be changed for the better because of your education,"or "a positive experience," or "a person who most influenced you."  It helps to have a few sample essays already written during times of less stress so that when a deadline comes up you don't have to scramble or divide your attentions between these essays and your school work.  I find that Winter and Summer Breaks are the best time to prepare essays to use for contests.  Then I can edit, change or tweak them to fit the particular contest I am entering.