2016 Unigo $10K Scholarship winner and tips

By Unigo

04/03/2017

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We're excited to announce the winner of the Unigo $10K Scholarship. The question was, “Weighing the expected investment and return, is college worth it for you? Why?” Check out the winning essay, followed by scholarship tips from our winner.

Want to be a featured winner? Check Our Scholarships for a new scholarship every month.

Winning scholarship essay

“I've never seen people like you read for fun." Every time I heard this statement, my head throbbed and my motivation wavered with the emphasis of one devastating, degrading truth: it was not expected of me because of my background. It only got worse with the mention of college. As a first generation, low -income Hispanic woman, the weight of such low expectations seems to drag me down endlessly into the dark abyss of failure. How will I afford it? How will I travel there? Who honestly expects me to make it past freshman year? Is college really worth the effort?

Whenever I get home, my questions are answered. My mother leaps forward clutching yet another college acceptance letter. Her joy is palpable, and soon I am smiling along as well. She notices my reluctance and takes my face between her calloused hands. “In America, anybody can make it,” she assures me in broken English. Gazing into her adoring eyes, I realize that no amount of student debt or condescending comments can stop my mother from believing in my success. Not only would I have a career because of college, but she will also be proud. Her faith strengthens my resolve. Her joy encourages me to look past all the barriers.

Yes, I assure myself once again. College is worth the investment.

Scholarship tips from our winner

How to find scholarships

Attending college has always been a major goal of mine, but I knew that I would not be able to do so without scholarships. With that in mind, I made applying to scholarships a top priority. With the help of my academic advisors and the internet, I had access to thousands of scholarships, and never failed to apply to as many as I can. One of my peers actually recommended Unigo to me, and I have never turned back.

How to write a winning scholarship essay

My advice is to apply to scholarships that appeal to your personality and interests. Enjoy storytelling? There are scholarships dedicated to that. Interested in math and science? There are endless chances available to attain financial support for such aspirations. Unigo has proven to be a crucial resource that has matched me with countless scholarships and made my dreams of attending college a reality. When I write my scholarship essays, I focus on events that have molded me into the person I am today. If I am ever unsure of what to write, I think of the reasons that I want to obtain an education, and focus my determination and earnestness into my essay. Never hesitate to apply!

College Admissions: 4 Ways to Increase Your Financial Aid Package

Monday, April 10, 2017

Cristiana Quinn, GoLocalProv College Admissions Expert

Early returns indicate smaller financial aid packages... are you prepared?

Over the next few weeks, many families with high school seniors will be comparing financial aid packages. A dizzying array of terms, numbers and types of aid will appear with no standard format from college to college. Most families think the packages will be straightforward and easy to understand; they are wrong. 

When finaid letters do arrive, the different kinds of aid that make up the package can be confusing. What has to be repaid? What doesn’t have to be repaid? What are the interest rates and terms for loans? Which items are renewable? What is the true cost with all the fees and living expenses? Before you make your final decision, here are some critical things you need to know:

What is the TOTAL Cost?

Families need to look closely at the total cost of each college (tuition, room, board, fees, books, travel) to make sure that they are comparing apples to apples. Then, subtract the amount of financial aid awarded to determine what the out of pocket expenses will be.  Allison Dean of Financial Aid Preparation Services, and a former financial aid officer for U. Chicago, says "When students receive their financial aid award letters, they can be very confused.  I have seen some schools that appear to be covering the entire cost, but when looked at closely, they have actually added unguaranteed loans as a part of the package.  This is very deceiving.  Also, most schools do not include fees and living expenses on their award letters-so the overall cost looks lower than it is." 

What Has to be Repaid?

It’s not the total amount of your award that matters. How much debt a student will graduate with should be a key factor in your assessment. So, first separate out money which does not have to be paid back, like grants, scholarships, merit awards and tuition reductions. Make sure to check the terms of each portion of the package to determine which are renewable for future years. Next, look at the work study and loans. Remember that work study is paid to you throughout the year, not up front. Compare the amount of aid that does not have to be repaid across all your colleges. Then, look at the loans as a separate amount. It’s one thing to graduate with $10,000 to $50,000 of debt. In fact, small student loans can be good way to teach a child the value of education and have them vested in getting good grades. However, coming out of college with $75,000 to $150,000 in debt is a heavy burden. There are few private colleges I could say would be worth six figures in debt, if you can attend the primary campus of your state university without debt.

Appealing the Offer

Most families don’t realize it, but you can appeal your financial aid offer. Colleges usually reserve 10-15% of their financial aid pool for appeals. Call the financial aid office at the college(s) where you need more money, and ask about their appeal process and timeline. You will most likely need to write a letter outlining the reasons that you are asking for more money (loss of a job, better offer at another school, unforeseen medical expenses, loss of child support). Be ready to provide documentation to support your case. A college will usually come back with more money, but it will rarely be the full amount that you request.

Filling the Gaps

For many students, even after an appeal, there will be a gap between what they can afford and what they receive in aid. This means hard decisions, and in some cases, it can mean looking at outside loans. Make sure to ask the financial aid office at your desired college for their recommendations. They may have approved lenders with good interest rates on loans.  PLUS loans for parents are one option, but second mortgages and bank loans can often have lower interest rates. Private scholarships are another option, but be sure to check the terms of your financial aid package before accepting outside scholarship money. You are required to report all scholarship sources to your college, and many will reduce your package by the amount of the outside funding. Also, keep in mind that private scholarships are usually just for one year vs. college-based aid which will often be renewed.  Never pay for scholarship searches Fastweb is a great free resource or ask your high school guidance office or local library about state and local scholarship programs.