If you’re good at math but lacking the resources to get into college, here’s the place to start. Looking for scholarships is the first step towards success. These funds could send you to the best universities in the world or abroad, even, depending on your preferences.
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Math Scholarship for Students: Preparation Tips
Getting a math scholarship is easier than ever now. All you have to do is follow these tips and ensure that you’re putting in the effort of applying. Check your eligibility and shortlist your preferences after identifying your desired category. Most of these scholarships are for undergrads, but you could also find some available for graduate students if you’re browsing more.
Check your basic eligibility
While your friends might make fun of you for being a ‘math major,’ you are super lucky to have this skill. There are so many opportunities you can discover if you love math, it’s insane. Math helps us in anything that we do, from physics to technology and business. Having strong math skills might qualify you for a wide range of scholarships, therefore.
You’ve got a bunch of available options to consider, including federal aid or other private scholarships, but you’ve got to check your availability before anything else. There is no point in applying without being eligible – it’s a waste of time. Here are some of the institutions/universities you should contact to check your eligibility.
- The University of California at San Diego
- The University of Illinois at Chicago
- The National Science Foundation
- Other education & technology scholarships
- Federal aid
- Other grants you cannot say no to
These are just some of your options but you could find more right here.
Mention your online presence
Write an essay
Shortlist your favorite universities
At first, you might have over ten universities you’d like to get in. Make sure you perform thorough research and pick the ones that draw your attention the most. You might not be able to apply to more than seven colleges, so shortlisting is necessary. Once you’re down to 10, check their websites again and look for what makes the college personal for you. In the end, it’s not about the university’s reputation but it’s how you connect to it. You could choose Common App for this part since this app shows you what (math) scholarships are available for each university.
Research various types of scholarships
There are so many math scholarships available for you! I’ll present you a shortlist but if you need more info, check online. There is plenty of information out there.
- Radboud Scholarships
- American Mathematical Society Scholarship or Fellowship
- OHIO University Mathematics Scholarships and Financial Aid
- Northern Arizona University Mathematics and Stats Scholarship
- University of Missouri Mathematics Department Scholarships, etc.
Beware that you need a high GPA and overall good grades to get access to math scholarships. Some universities require students to take a math scholarship test to see if they’ve got what it takes to be granted a fellowship. During the exam, you might need to solve geometry equations, and algebra problems, and go through other similar tests. You never know what the test features. Make sure you’ve prepared well in advance to ace your test. If your test score doesn’t meet the college’s expectations, you might not get the scholarship that you need and thus, not have financial access to the university of your choice. Don’t lose this opportunity by failing to prepare – put in the effort needed.
Check for graduate scholarships
If you’re looking to spend the rest of your academic years at the same university, make sure you check for graduate programs ahead of time. If your college doesn’t offer any other graduate options, you might want to go with another option. I know that most Canadian universities offer $40,000 and above annually for prepared students, so you might want to check that option. Most math students end up in Canada anyway, since getting a work permit is easier here.
Prepare your application
Your last goal is to prepare your admissions application. After having shortlisted your favourite schools, it’s time to write a letter to inform them that you will be applying. Make sure no items are missing from your application. Your essay of intent must be well-written and to the point. Your recommendations must be real and well-organized. Your programs of interest must be specified – and so should your scholarship applications.
CONCLUSION
Students coming from all backgrounds have access to mathematical scholarships. No matter whether you’re European, Caribbean, African American, Asian, or Native American, you will have the possibility of applying for scholarships. Don’t forget to respect the guidelines above and start the application process ahead of time.
I hope you find this article helpful.
