Hey y'all, in my search for college scholarships, I've come across the term 'need-blind scholarships'. Can someone help me understand what exactly that means? And if possible, any suggestions for where to find such scholarships?
Hello! A 'need-blind scholarship' is actually a combination of two separate concepts in college admissions and financial aid: need-blind admissions and need-based scholarships. Let me clarify these for you.
1. Need-blind admissions: This term refers to the admissions process in which a college admits students without taking their financial need into consideration. Schools with need-blind admissions evaluate applications purely on merit and do not give advantages or disadvantages to students based on their financial circumstances. Note that this pertains to the admissions process, not the scholarships themselves.
2. Need-based scholarships: These are scholarships awarded to students based on their financial need, as determined by their family income and other financial factors. Colleges and scholarship organizations consider students' financial situations to determine eligibility and award amounts for these scholarships.
As for finding scholarships, there are many resources available for finding need-based scholarships, as well as merit-based scholarships and those with a combination of criteria. Some popular platforms include:
- CollegeVine: You can create a profile and get personalized scholarship recommendations based on your profile and financial needs, along with essay guidance and deadline reminders.
- Fastweb: It's a well-known scholarship search database that matches your profile to a range of scholarship opportunities.
- Scholarships.com: Another comprehensive database that allows you to search and filter scholarships based on various criteria, including need.
- Cappex: This platform not only connects students with scholarships but also offers college search tools and resources.
In addition to these online resources, don't forget to check your college's financial aid office, local community organizations, and professional associations related to your intended major or career field for scholarship opportunities. Good luck in your search!
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