Applying for Scholarships: Common Questions & Answers

Last updated December 15, 2025

In this article

• When to apply
• Where to look
• FAFSA & state financial aid
• Miscellaneous
• Application materials
• Get Schooled has free scholarship resources for you!

Here are some common questions students have when searching and applying for scholarships—and our answers!

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When to apply

When should I start applying?

You don’t need to wait until your senior year of high school to search. There are scholarships you can apply for as early as your junior year! If you find some that aren’t open yet or aren’t due for a few months, be sure to save them to apply for later. The earlier you start your search, the sooner you can familiarize yourself with typical application requirements, begin brainstorming and drafting a personal statement that can be tailored to each scholarship you apply for, and give the people writing you letters of recommendation plenty of time and notice. 

Should I apply before or after I’m accepted to colleges?

Since there are so many scholarships out there with varying deadlines, we recommend both searching and applying before and after you’re accepted to colleges.

I’m already in college. Is it too late to apply for scholarships?

No! There are tons of scholarships available to students of all ages, demographics, years in school, areas of interest, and majors. It’s never too late to find money for college, so consistently searching is important.

Where to look

Where should I look?

Why not start your search on Scholarship Finder? Our database has over 21,000 available scholarships. Be sure to search by your identity, location, area of study, and more to find just the right fit. Click the image below to start searching!

How do I know if a scholarship is legit?

There are some specific things to look out for:

• Does the website list previous winners? Legit scholarships will typically list previous winners somewhere on their homepage. If you can’t find them anywhere, it’s usually a red flag.
• Do you have to pay to apply? Legit scholarships will NEVER require payment. If you see any fees listed, don’t apply.

Legit scholarships are transparent with applicants about required application materials, deadlines, and timelines. If something seems off, it probably is–so keep searching somewhere else. Always trust your gut and use your judgment! 

FAFSA & state financial aid

Do I need to complete the FAFSA or state financial aid applications before applying?

In most cases, yes. Many scholarships require applicants to complete the FAFSA before applying because they may request a copy of your FAFSA Submission Summary with your application. 

Because of this requirement, undocumented students may be a bit more restricted in what they can apply for. However, if you’re an undocumented student, you can apply for scholarships that do not list a citizenship requirement or ask you to submit FAFSA information. You may be able to apply for certain scholarships that require FAFSA documentation once you’ve completed a state financial aid application (if your state offers it). Be sure to double-check application requirements to learn more. 

Miscellaneous

Does taking a gap year hurt my chances?

Potentially, yes. Some scholarships are only awarded to students transitioning directly from high school to college. If you already received a scholarship and are now considering taking a gap year, be sure to communicate clearly with the organization about your plans. They may not be able to award you the money until you begin college.

How can I stay organized during my search? 

We can help! Use our scholarship application requirements tracker to stay organized while you search and apply.

Do I have to re-apply for scholarships every year?

It depends. Some are granted only once, while others may be eligible for renewal each term or academic year depending on requirements such as grades, GPA, or the amount of credits you’re taking (full-time vs. part-time). If you receive a scholarship, be sure to ask about any renewal requirements you will need to follow to keep it.

Are scholarships universally accepted by all colleges? How are they processed?

They should be. Private scholarships will likely mail a check to you that you can use to pay your student balance. The organization may also send it directly to your college. If they can’t process it, be sure to talk to someone who represents the private scholarship as well as a financial aid officer at your school to troubleshoot. Scholarships awarded directly to you by your college will be applied to your student account.

Are there scholarships for students with GPAs less than 3.0?

Yes! Google “scholarships with no GPA requirements” or check out Niche’s list to start your search.

Application materials

Do scholarships require SAT/ACT test scores?

Each will have different application requirements, so be sure to thoroughly read them before applying. Some may require SAT or ACT scores, while others won’t.

How long should my application essay be?

It depends on what you’re applying for. If you’re required to write an essay, you should receive clear instructions on how to write and submit it. If you can’t find this information easily, email the organization to learn more. 

Can I reuse letters of recommendation to apply?

Typically yes–but always:

1. Check in with the person who wrote you a letter of recommendation to give them a head’s up before submitting it. This way they’ll be prepared in case someone reaches out to them.
2. Be sure the letter of recommendation doesn’t reference a different scholarship.

Get Schooled has free scholarship resources for you!

• Sign up for free scholarship email alerts.
• Check out our hand-picked scholarship lists.
• Connect with a Get Schooled Advisor to ask any scholarship-related questions.
• Use Scholarship Finder to gain access to over 21,000 scholarships.
• Follow us on Instagram (@getschooled) to see our weekly Scholarship of the Week posts. 

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