Observed annually every November, National Scholarship Month is designed to encourage students to apply for scholarships for which they might be eligible. All current and future college students in the U.S. should use this month to begin the scholarship application process.

November is the month when many scholarship providers start to post new scholarship information for the upcoming year. Students can take advantage of these opportunities to ensure they have the funding they need to begin, continue, or complete their college education.

With that in mind, we encourage eligible students to reach for their dreams and ensure their academic goals are financed.

The History of National Scholarship Month

This observance was first created in 1998 by the Citizens’ Scholarship Foundation of America—an organization now known as Scholarship America. Over the past few years, this month has been sponsored by the National Scholarship Providers Association.

Important Facts About Scholarships

We’re on the subject of scholarships, so let’s take a moment to look at some facts we learned about scholarships while researching for National Scholarship Month. We’ve listed these facts below for everyone to consider.

• There is more scholarship money available than students and parents might be aware of. This is because scholarship programs are not required to advertise.
• Most scholarships are awarded based on merit. However, with lottery scholarships, every student has a chance of winning.
• Scholarships will affect a student’s eligibility for financial aid.
• If a student does not meet the required GPA for a particular scholarship, they should not apply for it.
• A persistent myth is that scholarships are only for athletes and top scholars. There are scholarships for every academic level.
• Students should begin searching for scholarships during their junior and senior years of high school.
• Looking for scholarships is a yearly commitment that most students have to make to gain the money they need for college.
• Every dollar in scholarships that a student can obtain means one less dollar they will have to pay back in student loans.
• There are not only scholarships for high school students but also for graduate students.

Observing National Scholarship Month

During this month, students should take the time to start filling out scholarship forms for college. Parents should make sure to support their children’s efforts. People can also observe this month by using the hashtag #NationalScholarshipMonth on social media. This is the month for students to begin reaching for their academic dreams.