How to Keep Your Scholarship

You’ve worked hard, and it’s paid off! Now that you have the scholarship, how are you going to keep it while earning your degree? Here are some ways you can lose your scholarship: 

GPA 

Most scholarships have GPA requirements in order to keep them. One of the best things to do is to stay organized and on top of your studies. Granted, some scholarships have a grace period of one semester to bring up your grades, but not all do. It is important to understand the requirements of your scholarship when it comes to your grades.  

 Abuse of Scholarship Funds 

There are scholarships only to be used for books, tuition, or housing. If you use the money for something else, there is a chance the school or organization will require that you return payment, and it could even mean the loss of that scholarship. 

Rule/Law Breaking 

Whether you realize it or not, there are standards the administration wants you to uphold while you are attending school. If the school has a policy against something and you are caught doing it, they have the ability to take away whatever scholarship they have given you. 

Not Filling Out FAFSA 

Just fill it out! The worst that can happen is that you find out you qualify for extra money you and your parents do not have to come up with.  

Lying 

It isn’t cool to lie, and if a school finds out you falsified a scholarship application or your resume, they can revoke your award (or even drop your acceptance!). 

Changing Your Student Status 

Most scholarships are for full-time students. If your scholarship is only for full-time, you will forfeit the scholarship if your status changes to part-time.  

Missed Deadlines 

Don’t lose money just because you forgot to turn something in on a certain day. Set alarms or alerts, get a calendar, do something (tell your mom- she’ll remind you!) so you won’t miss out on an opportunity. There are deadlines for applications, recommendation letters, essays, and paperwork, so stay on top of it! 

Changed Major 

There is nothing wrong with changing your major. Many people do after their first semester or year. But keep in mind that if you have a departmental scholarship, you might lose it. Also, some scholarships are only for four years. If you change your major, you might be in school longer than that, and your scholarship won’t cover the extra time.

Community Service 

Not all scholarships require community service, but if yours does, remember to log the hours. If you aren’t sure what you can count as hours, get clarification from your advisor. 

Inappropriate Social Media Posts 

In a world where social media is everything, it is easy to forget that it could cause you to lose your scholarship if you post something that is against school policy. Just keep in mind that there are counselors and professors who do see your social media, so make sure you are representing your school well.  

Attendance 

Some professors might not take roll, but missing class will definitely hurt you in the long run. In bigger schools, if you miss the first week of class, they can drop you automatically. Even if you have a dreadful 8 a.m., try to go (and be on time). Save your skips for when you’re really sick. If you miss too many days, the school may think you aren’t serious about attending and give your scholarship to someone else. 

Racheal Lunn is a senior at Faulkner University, majoring in English and interning for Potential Magazine.