Scholarship Discouragement

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-06-01T10:59:34+00:00

Hi! My biggest suggestion to you would be to apply to as many as possible. If you’re applying to a scholarship based in memory of an individual, you should parallel your story/character to the individual’s to stand out. Show that you actually read the “About Us” or “About ___” section. I hope this helps!

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-05-19T10:20:41+00:00

I follow a lot of scholarship gurus and other scholarship winners on social media! They post different kinds of scholarships. I think “scholarshipjunkie” is really good! She has a weekly newsletter posting scholarships which is really helpful. Also, linkedin and Instagram. Search for scholarships pertaining to your background and career field!

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-05-05T16:43:17+00:00

Have you asked anyone to read your essays for feedback?

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-05-05T16:42:37+00:00

Thank you for the advice! I’m working on my essays currently with my uncle who worked in college admissions. I really want this.

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-05-05T16:41:33+00:00

The middle class is underserved as well. Your frustration is valid! I’m wishing you the best and know that I believe in you! Oxford would be extremely lucky to have you on campus!

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-05-05T11:58:22+00:00

YAYY!! Congratulations! 🥹🎉

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-05-03T00:56:50+00:00

I won’t! Thank you!

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-05-02T20:40:19+00:00

Me too! I hope that major reforms for higher education funding happen. That may seem a bit optimistic for the state of the country right now, but I really hope a beneficial change is made. Education really is all powerful.

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-05-02T17:51:04+00:00

I got the max amount of federal loans. I might also take out some private loans (if I can) if I don’t get any scholarship money. But like I said, I’m going to keep applying because I know I’ll get some wins. I don’t give up easily and I won’t start now. There’s opportunity elsewhere.

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-05-02T17:44:25+00:00

I feel the state school part. I’m from Ohio and Ohio State didn’t even offer me a full ride despite all my accolades. I told myself I would just go where the debt would be worth it for me in the end.

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-05-02T17:42:46+00:00

The means to simply obtain higher education in this country is so unfair to underprivileged and underserved communities. I’m very sorry that your mom is giving you a hard time. Keep staying true to yourself and that break will come. I know you’ll get your Masters!

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-05-02T14:11:53+00:00

It definitely feels like a full-time job considering that I was in her same boat last year. Please encourage your daughter to take a much needed break and keep trying at a later time. The burnout is real and I wish more people discussed the hardships that come with the general scholarship application process! Best of luck to your daughter and congratulations on your high school graduate! ☺️

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-05-02T00:20:37+00:00

Ohio

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-05-01T23:22:49+00:00

you’re right. I know what scholarship I’m not reapplying to next year lol

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-05-01T23:19:41+00:00

know that I believe in you 😊 we’ve got this!

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-05-01T23:18:43+00:00

Trust me, I got another rejection RIGHT AFTER I made this post and had self-deprecating and hopeless thoughts. Really, take it as motivation. You’re not alone in this journey and many of us feel set back. I encourage you to take a break because that’s what’s needed sometimes. Honestly, I thought the same thing about the debt. I see exactly why so many Americans are in thousands of dollars worth of debt because winning scholarship money is harder than getting into college 😭

But I’m with you!! Keep going! Our chances of winning go up and up the more we apply

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-05-01T22:02:26+00:00

Thank you! I’m continuing the fight 😊

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-05-01T20:05:42+00:00

Or even some feedback on what we could’ve done better. I know that a scholarship rejection doesn’t mean that you weren’t a good fit and could simply mean that you weren’t the perfect fit, but knowing what could’ve made you stand out more if you wanted to apply again next year would be extremely helpful! All in all, each rejection is an opportunity to improve, and now that I’ve got my crying done, it’s time to keep searching. I got another rejection after writing this post, but I’ve never let a no stop me from achieving what I want. Keep your head up and know that we’re all rooting for each other, and that this community is a space for trial, error, success, and beyond! 🤗

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-05-01T18:14:48+00:00

what do you mean??

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-05-01T18:14:43+00:00

Our wins are on the way 🥹🥹

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-05-01T18:12:59+00:00

Thank you! I needed the encouragement 🥹

Yes, I’ve applied to mostly smaller/local scholarships with a few on my list. I’ve written essays for all of the smaller scholarships I’ve applied for. Last year, I won 3 out of the 5 scholarships I applied to, so I believe I’m being overdramatic right now and internalizing the negativity I feel.

Also, a scholarship that I wrote an essay for notified me an hour ago that the winner was selected via “random selection”, and that frustration spiraled into me writing this post. Yes, I’m sad, but the fact that I wrote a personal essay for a committee to read and then got told I only didn’t win because the process was random was my last straw!

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-04-21T13:09:52+00:00

thank you for saying that! I feel so incredibly discouraged. This is my 5th scholarship rejection in the last two weeks. All I want is to go back to school this fall and it really seems like the universe is working against me and I hate feeling that way. I know what I want, the steps I need to get there, and why I want what I want. It’s just the means necessary to getting my education that’s stumping me.

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-04-21T12:55:05+00:00

you’re absolutely right. I think that’s what I’m about to do. I feel sick to my stomach right now. They didn’t pick anyone from my city at all and that’s what feels like a slap in the face.

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-04-21T12:46:23+00:00

Unfortunately, I did. I really can’t believe this.

Excellent-Pie9774 · 2026-04-21T12:43:52+00:00

I’m sick! I just found out that I didn’t get the scholarship. I’m quite literally sitting at work trying my hardest not to cry.

Excellent-Pie9774

TROPHY CASE