9 Things You Can Do to Get a Full-Ride Scholarship

A full-ride scholarship is rare, and paying for college without financial help is challenging to say the least. Fortunately, colleges and universities offer full-tuition and full-ride scholarships to eligible students.

Full-tuition scholarships cover tuition and fees while full-ride scholarships also include textbooks, room and board and other expenses. These are often awarded based on merit (academic or athletic) or financial need. Others may consider factors such as service to the U.S. military and Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) or ethnic and racial heritage.

Here are some tips to help you get a scholarship that will cover most, if not all, of your educational expenses.

9 Tips for getting a full-ride scholarship

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the average grant or scholarship awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduate students was $12,997 in the 2022-23 academic year while the average cost of attendance started at $15,700 that same year. Even students living off-campus with family to save on expenses would have a gap of over $2,500 to make up.

All of the tips below can help you get a scholarship that covers most or all of your college expenses, but it’s always best to plan ahead.

1. Start preparing early

Working to obtain a full-tuition or full-ride scholarship can take years of dedication, so it’s important to start during your first year of high school instead of waiting until the last year or two. If you’re a parent, work with your child and help them understand how to set themselves up for college success.

Consider taking test prep courses and practice exams throughout high school to hone your test-taking skills for entrance exams, including the SAT and ACT. Participating in volunteer activities or internships that align with your field of interest can help you demonstrate your community engagement and build experience with real-world situations.

2. Perform well academically

Getting good grades and test scores in high school is always key to qualifying for the best scholarships, but because schools typically don’t set minimums qualifications for GPAs and test scores to earn a full-ride or full-tuition scholarship, you should strive for optimal academic performance and try to excel in the most rigorous courses available.

While GPA is an important factor, it’s not the only thing schools consider. If you’re struggling academically, seek extra help from teachers, hire a tutor or sign up for extracurricular classes and programs focused on the subject matter you find most interesting and challenging.

3. Take challenging classes

While your grades and test scores are important, colleges typically look beyond those indicators to review your class schedule. If your senior year was full of easy classes, you might get passed up for a full-tuition or full-ride scholarship in favor of a student who took Advanced Placement (AP), honors, college prep and international baccalaureate (IB) courses.

In addition to boosting your chances for a scholarship, these courses can also help prepare you for the rigors of college and possibly even give you college credit.

If you’re hoping to attend a prestigious university, chances are that good grades and test scores may not be enough. One way to set yourself apart is to engage in leadership activities, such as student class officer or leader of a schoolool club such as Key Club, National Honors Society, or Student Council.

You may also explore opportunities connected to your major. For instance, if you plan on majoring in Spanish, join or start a Spanish club at your school. Leadership is an important quality sought after in scholarship committees.

Hone in on a skill or talent

Many colleges offer scholarships to students who excel in certain sports and other activities. While this option may be difficult to pursue, it could help you determine whether you should continue a sport or master a skill.

5. Apply for national scholarships

Prestigious national scholarships can help pay your way to a college degree and reflect positively on your resume after graduation.

• The Gates Scholarship is a highly-competitive, last-dollar scholarship awarded to high school seniors, typically those in the top 10 percent of their graduating class. Selection also considers leadership and personal traits, ethnicity, and eligibility for the Pell Grant. The award also includes assistance in transitioning to a career after graduation.
• The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program is also a last-dollar award that offers both financial support and the opportunity to network. The award provides up to $55,000 per year for students and assists with career transition.
• Davidson Fellows scholarship is a highly prestigious scholarship that offers several awards each year of up to $100,000 for qualifying applicants who have distinguished themselves in a variety of categories including math, literature, engineering, and music. The award is reserved for gifted and talented students who have produced “significant works” that are recognized as “meaningful and has the potential to make a positive contribution to society.”

6. Apply for admission at multiple schools

The more colleges you apply to, the better your chances of getting admitted, and the same goes for scholarship opportunities. Even if a certain school is second or third on your list, if it’s willing to give you a full-tuition or full-ride scholarship and your top choice isn’t, that could tip the scale in favor of the school that won’t require you to go into debt.

7. Develop relationships with teachers, counselors, mentors and advisors

Some scholarship applications want letters of recommendation from your teachers, mentors or guidance counselors. While most teachers are willing to write letters for students who have performed well academically, the recommendation quality can improve if you’ve established a good rapport.

You can build these relationships by regularly participating in class discussions, offering to be a teaching assistant and visiting your counselor to get advice. Be sure to seek out connections in your field of interest by pursuing sessions with visiting speakers, volunteering for related extracurriculars, and staying connected to your major area of focus.

8. Create a strong scholarship application

You may think that your credentials speak for themselves, but that’s not always the case. Take your time on the application, especially with the essays or personal statements. Consider asking a teacher, guidance counselor or mentor to proofread your essay and provide feedback on how to improve it.

Some high school students may have difficulty talking about themselves, but it’s important to highlight why you should receive the full scholarship over someone else – diminishing your accomplishments or qualifications could cost you.

A well-rounded application may include the following things:

• Transcript and portfolio of your work
• Letters of recommendation
• Resume
• Personal statement

Don’t expect your application to stand in for your experience – examples of your work will help in addition to character testimonies.

Scholarship committees seek well-rounded applicants who have demonstrated both academic and extracurricular accomplishments with leadership potential. Be sure to showcase these qualities and provide evidence for both.

9. Brush up on interview skills

Even if you’re not invited for an in-person interview, many major scholarship committees may request a recorded statement. Be prepared to give an “elevator speech” about why you deserve a financial award – provide a brief, interesting, and succinct statement that showcases your achievements and strengths.

Asking a guidance counselor or teacher to practice with you can help sharpen these skills. For even better results, consider practicing with several different people, so you will encounter the scope of questions that may be asked of you.

6 Alternatives to pay for college

Getting a full-tuition or full-ride scholarship directly from your school is a major accomplishment, but it’s not guaranteed, even if you stand out among your peers. If you’re looking for other ways to pay for college, here are some of the top options.

1. Private scholarships

Many private organizations offer full-tuition and full-ride scholarships. Research to determine if you’re eligible for such scholarships based on your experience, heritage or interests.

You may also choose to use scholarship search engines to find other scholarships that could cover the total cost of your education. Some of these are easy scholarships to apply for, and while they may only cover a few thousand dollars, they will add up and chip away at your education costs.

2. Grants

Like scholarships, grants are a form of financial aid that you typically don’t have to repay. There are free government money programs and private organizations that offer this kind of award.

To apply for federal grants, you typically need to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), but some may require an additional form. Requirements for private grants can vary, so take your time and do your due diligence to find the ones you may qualify for.

3. College savings plans

If your family has saved up money in a 529 plan or another financial account, you can use that money to pay for qualified educational expenses on a tax-free basis.

While a 529 is the most common option for education savings, Roth IRA accounts are an increasingly popular vehicle that can be used to pay for an education. Other types of investment or savings accounts may also suit, depending on your financial situation.

4. Employment

While juggling college classes and a job can be stressful, working your way through school can save you a lot of money in the long run. Look for opportunities on campus and nearby to see if you can find a job that fits your course schedule.

Food service, retail, tutoring and work-study jobs are all common sources of income for undergraduate students and can help you to build skills for long-term employment in addition to earning money.

Get a side hustle

Part-time employment can help to balance your schedule between academics and earning an income. You may also plan to work during the summer when you’re not in school to help cover some of your costs during the school year.

5. Federal student loans

If you’ve exhausted all of your other options to pay for school without debt, it’s usually best to apply for federal student loans before considering private student loans.

That’s because federal student loans typically offer more benefits, such as access to loan forgiveness programs and income-driven repayment plans. Also, if you’re an undergraduate student, you’ll typically get a lower interest rate, and you don’t have to have a credit history to get approved.

6. Private student loans

If you’ve exhausted your allotment of federal student loans and still fall short, private student loans can help fill the gap. If you can’t get approved on your own, ask a parent to apply as a cosigner — with some lenders, cosigners are a requirement for undergraduates.

Take your time when considering private student loans. Each lender has its own set of eligibility criteria and formula for determining interest rates. Shopping around is key to ensuring that you get the best deal possible.

Bottom line

A full-tuition or full-ride college scholarship can be a game changer, but the application process for these scholarships is highly competitive, so planning early is key to developing a compelling applicant profile. Your efforts should cover both academic excellence as well as leadership and community service.

Even if you don’t land a full-ride scholarship, there are always other options for covering your college bills, including grants, private scholarships and part-time or seasonal employment. If you are struggling to balance your expenses, check with your academic advisor or school financial aid office.