Loans. Debt. Fear. Frustration. Overwhelm. Stress.
All of these words encompass the scholarship process at one point or another. I know because I’ve been there and am still there.
You see, I’m a student like you, and the only thing that may separate us is that I’ve earned well over $100,000 in scholarships. But I believe that you and your family can do the same thing.
If they can win…so can you.
I can’t believe it, but this is the very first blog post for Scholarship Informer (even if the date is more current than some of our other posts)! This is the blog post that’s starting it all and explains why I’ve devoted my life to scholarships.
Scholarship Informer is a place to educate, entertain, share the ins-and-outs of the scholarship process, and most importantly have real and honest conversations about paying for college.
As a doctoral candidate, I’m right here with you in the trenches. I’m juggling my dissertation, a graduate assistantship, spending time with family and friends, working out, this blog, private clients…and the list goes on.
People find out that I’m a “scholarship winner” and act as though I’m some super-human person.
While scholarships consume a lot of my time, I’m human too!
It was not easy or simple, but I’m not the first and won’t be the last to earn over $100,000 in scholarships. I’ve earned scholarships and my students have earned scholarships. We’re from what FAFSA deems “middle-class families”. And I know that if it will work for the middle, it’ll work those above and below.
I know some of you may be thinking, “She’s working on her doctorate degree; it’s easy for her to go after and win scholarships because she’s probably super smart.”
Folks, don’t get caught up in my or anyone else’s accomplishments. I’m going to break everything down for you on this blog. No worries.
Your family can win scholarships to pay for college because I’m going to set you up for scholarship success.
Do you fall into one of these categories?
Most students will fall into one of these categories:
- They are so overwhelmed, frustrated, and stressed that they never start.
- They start, but quickly become so overwhelmed, frustrated, and stressed that they quit.
- They start and continue going, but waste time doing the wrong things and never win.
- They work on scholarships, earn a few, but don’t earn as many as they need or should have to pay for college.
Sound about right?
[info-box type=”success”]Real Talk: Not earning scholarships has nothing to do with the specifics about you or your family. The problem is your plan and strategy.[/info-box]
The Reality of Student Loans
When I was in high school, I didn’t understand that there were people over the age of 40 who were still paying back their student loans. The moment I realized how much college would really cost was when my parents started harping about it nonstop and my mom actually contemplated picking up a second job to pay for my education.
For those that don’t know: The really sucky part is that if you should declare bankruptcy, which I hope you never do, your student loans are still on your record!
Not to mention, many people aren’t able to go on to graduate school or enter into their dream career because it’s extremely difficult on them financially. They have to enter the workforce in sometimes undesirable positions because they have to begin paying back their student loans.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Who wants to spend most of their adult life paying back student loans? I DON’T! #OwnYourDegree” quote=”Who wants to spend most of their adult life paying back student loans? I DON’T!”]
I want to use my money to buy a new car, travel the world, go see Beyoncé in concert, buy a house, and live my life, however, I want to. Scholarships are one of the reasons I’ve been able to do a few of those things.
[clickToTweet tweet=”Scholarships = FREEDOM! #OwnYourDegree” quote=”Scholarships = FREEDOM!”]
Don’t allow student loans to trap you and steal from your future. They will attack your family and suck the soul out of you like a Death Eater from Harry Potter.
If you learn nothing else from me today, understand that I’m a student that believes in helping make college affordable for anyone and everyone that wishes to attend. It’s what motivates me.
I don’t want you or your student to graduate with $87,421.19 in student loan debt. I want students to walk across the stage knowing that they actually “own” their own degree. Not the bank or any other financial institution!
Again, I’m just like you. I’m not doing superhuman things… I’m just doing the right things. I’ve been successful, but I’ve also learned A LOT by failing. I may be slightly ahead of wherever you and your family are in the scholarship process, but we’re all fighting the same war against student loans and debt.
Look, if you’re worried or frustrated and you need help – reach out. You can’t afford not to. I keep crazy hours, so don’t be alarmed if I reply back to a message at 2:00 in the morning. That’s why I’m here.
They’ve Lied To Us
Have you ever heard of lying by omission? You know when people tell you some of the story but leave out the most important parts?
We have been lied to by omission when it comes to scholarships.
If it’s not a scholarship scam, it’s a glorified story that most students can’t duplicate. Very few people are making it their life’s work to be honest about what it takes to earn scholarships over an extended period of time.
No, I’m not condemning anyone, but I am tired.
- I’m tired of parents being upset and crying.
- I’m tired of students feeling like they’re not special enough.
- I’m tired of outdated information that doesn’t do a good job of showing students how to earn scholarships.
I. AM. TIRED!
I Want You To Graduate Debt-Free Too!
I understand that I may not know you personally. Some of you may wonder, how can someone that doesn’t know me care so much about my education?
- I care because I’ve seen students that were not allowed to return to college because of their outstanding bill.
- I care because I know that I could have been one to graduate with thousands in student loans.
- I care because I know that some of you are doing the best you can and still feel like you’re not getting it.
- I care because I was that student that questioned if I was good enough to earn scholarships.
- I care because I know that you’re frustrated and irritated. Trust me, I know this one allllllllllllllllllll too well.
I care…I honestly do.
But maybe you’re not struggling with scholarships…
Maybe you’re crushing the scholarship process right now and have been able to keep up with the latest releases on Netflix. If that’s you, definitely let me know because I want to know how you’re earning thousands to pay for college while staying up-to-date on your skills and strategies.
Human to Human
Please remember that this site is run by a real person (a team of real people actually). Not some huge company caring about exposing you to dozens of ads. It’s run be a team committed to your scholarship success.
I’m going to help you with your scholarship strategy.
Bookmark this site and page. Do what you have to do to remember where you’re getting this information (only if you find it helpful, of course).
You can also send me an email with “Help Me Gab” in the Subject Line here: Info@ScholarshipInformer.com. I get tons of emails each day, so by using that subject line, I’ll know that you’re needing my help and you’ve taken the time to read this far into this post. Give me some time and I will get back to you as soon as I can. I promise.
I’m not kidding, if you need something, reach out to a real person to get a real response. I’m on social media too if emails aren’t your thing.
Feel free to contact me here too: 
Additional Ways to Beat Your Scholarship Competition
If you’ve only been a part of our community for a short amount of time, please understand that I make myself available and give away information because I’ve made scholarships my life and career. Most of the other scholarship winners I know may write a book but then go on and live their lives.
I’m not criticizing them because they’ve chosen to go into careers that make them happy. I just wish more of us would commit to helping families pay for college by sharing with them the truth.
Most of the phenomenal high school counselors I know have a lot of students. They are overworked, grossly underpaid, and may not be able to provide you with the most up-to-date resources and information because they simply don’t have the time. Not to mention all of their other roles and responsibilities as well.
[info-box type=”success”]Real Talk: Some students report they have counselors that don’t care and don’t help at all. (I hate to say it, but I’m going to tell you the truth.) I really hope you and your family aren’t experiencing this.[/info-box]
Meet Me Here for Scholarship Help!
Last – if you can’t tell by now, I breathe this stuff. I’m passionate about helping students do whatever they want to do in our world, especially if it involves earning a college degree.
Consider anything you see on this site as us meeting at your kitchen table, living room, Starbucks, the library or anywhere you can get an internet connection.
I’m being the change that I want to see in the world. I want to meaningful work that touches people and changes lives.
I guess all I’m trying to say is… Welcome to Scholarship Informer! The place where we are going to have real and honest conversations about what you need to do, should’ve done, and hopefully will consider doing in the future to earn scholarships for college.
This is gonna be fun…?
Feature Image Artwork Credit: iStockPhoto/eurobanks
