Nationally, about 58% of U.S. families use scholarships to help pay for college in some way each year. At BGSU, about 90% of all new students receive some sort of financial assistance, with more than $30 million in scholarships awarded annually.
November is National Scholarship Month, and students across the nation are encouraged to apply for scholarships in order to receive and help fund a college education. “Many students could not afford to attend college without the assistance of scholarships, and scholarships increase graduation rates and reduce debt,” said Elizabeth LeMaster, BGSU’s coordinator of scholarships. “Earning scholarships to assist in paying for college allows students to focus on their studies and reduces financial stress, and all students should apply for scholarships for each year they plan to attend.”
BGSU offers a general application students can apply for and state what a scholarship would mean to them. Within the application, students are able to list their accomplishments, experience and extracurricular activities.
“Very few scholarships are not awarded in any academic year at BGSU,” LeMaster said. “Because BGSU uses the centralized scholarship application system, we are able to identify qualified applicants for almost every available scholarship each year.”
BGSU awards an average of 5,800 scholarships each year, according to the university, to help their students cover their financial needs. In particular, the Thompson Scholarship Program has given many students the opportunity to pursue their education, something the program said ensures financial stress will not be a contributing factor for the recipients.
“I wouldn’t have been able to afford college if it wasn’t for the Thompson scholarship,” said BGSU Thompson Scholar Laurel Sloan. “This scholarship has changed my life in so many other ways other than just financial aid, and these people truly care about you succeeding.”
The Thompson Scholarship Program provides a lot more for students besides just financial aid. For some, it has provided opportunities for things such as service and leadership.
“I have been able to take on multiple leadership roles within my scholarship with the support of my fellow scholars and scholarship staff,” said BGSU Thompson Scholar Emily Castillo. “I also have been able to give back to the BGSU community through service provided through the Thompson scholarship, as well as being able to embody what it means to be a Thompson scholar.”
Other than the Thompson Scholarship Program, there are other scholarships that relieve some of the financial burdens BGSU students may face.
“Besides the Thompson Scholarship, I have been awarded the Freshman Academic Scholarship and the Honors College Study Abroad Scholarship,” Castillo said. “Both scholarships, along with the Thompson Scholarship, have allowed me to proceed with my education and I also have access to many opportunities academically and professionally that have helped me grow as a student and scholar.”
Castillo also said that applying for scholarships can help students be engaged in other things without worrying about their finances.
“I would say apply for as many as you can, especially as an aspiring college student,” Castillo said. “Scholarships can relieve some of the financial burden that comes with attending college, which can allow more time to grow as a student academically and focus on fully taking advantage of being a college student. I would also recommend looking at different scholarship programs that you could see yourself being engaged with and take it as an additional opportunity to connect with fellow scholars and be a part of a community within BGSU.”
Though November is National Scholarship Month and is a time to encourage students to apply for scholarships, this is not the only time students have this opportunity. “Students should search for scholarships year-round,” LeMaster said. “BGSU’s general scholarship application opens on Oct. 1 of each year for the next academic year, and the deadline for most continuing student scholarships is March 1.”
For more information on applying for BGSU scholarships, visit their website.
