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Paying for college can feel overwhelming, but scholarships remain one of the most powerful ways to make higher education more affordable. They don’t just lighten the financial load; they open doors, expand opportunities and help students focus more on learning and less on financial stress.  

At Kent State University, students have access to tools that make the search easier and more strategic, especially through , the university's personalized, scholarship-matching platform.

Brenda Burke, associate vice president of Scholarships and Financial Aid in the Division of Enrollment Management, works closely with students throughout the scholarship process and sees firsthand how these tools support their success.

“ScholarshipUniverse is really the one stop for all things, both internal to Kent State University and external scholarships,” Burke told Kent State Today.

Burke also emphasizes that students shouldn’t count themselves out before they even begin. Many assume scholarships are only for top academic performers, but she says that’s far from the truth.

“Everybody qualifies for a scholarship,” she said. "So don’t not do it because you think you’re just an average student. Don’t let not being valedictorian or number one in your class stop you. People think, ‘I don’t have the best GPA, so there’s no scholarship for me.’ Trust me, there is a scholarship for you.”

Getting Started with Scholarships at Kent State

Kent State offers a robust set of tools to help students navigate the scholarship landscape. The Scholarship Search Tips page guides you on how to begin, what to look for and how to stay organized throughout the process. It is a helpful first stop for understanding the basics of scholarship types, eligibility, timelines and how to accept a scholarship on FlashLine.

From there, ScholarshipUniverse becomes your personalized hub. Instead of scrolling through endless lists, students answer a series of questions on the site, and the platform matches them with scholarships, both internal and external, that fit their profile. It is efficient and designed to save time while increasing your chances of success.

“When you start your search, set aside a little time, but even if you don’t have much, don’t stop,” Burke said. “Everything you’ve done in ScholarshipUniverse is saved in the application, and you can always come back to it and pick up right where you left off.”

If the process feels overwhelming, the Financial, Billing and Enrollment Center, also known as FBE (pronounced “Phoebe”), is ready to help. Advisors can walk students through ScholarshipUniverse, explain financial aid or help with how to report outside scholarships.

You can with an FBE advisor for one-on-one support.

Scholarships Worth Exploring

While ScholarshipUniverse will generate a more personalized list, several categories of scholarships tend to be especially valuable to Kent State students:

• Kent State University Foundation Scholarships: Awards funded by donors, available to students across majors and backgrounds.
• College-Specific Scholarships: Offered by individual colleges (ex: College of Arts and Sciences, Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship and the College of Communication and Information).
• Community and Regional Scholarships: Local organizations frequently offer smaller awards.
• National Scholarships: Well-known programs like the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Scholarship or Dell Scholars Program.

The categories give students a starting point, but the real advantage comes from using ScholarshipUniverse to uncover the full range of awards that match their unique profile.

“There are scholarships out there for every kind of student,” Burke said. “If you are a former lifeguard, there’s a scholarship for former lifeguards. If you’re left-handed, there are left-handed scholarships. There's literally something out there for everybody.”

How to Write a Strong Scholarship Essay

Most scholarships require an essay, and this is where students can truly stand out. A thoughtful, well-crafted essay helps committees see the person behind the application.

1. Answer the prompt directly: Every paragraph should connect back to the question being asked.
2. Use a clear structure: Make sure you include a simple essay format that includes an introduction, body and conclusion.
3. Share your own story: Committees reviewing the scholarship applicants want authenticity, not just a cliché. Write something that shows who you are. It is how you learned a new skill or a time where there was a barrier that you had to overcome, how you achieved it and what you learned.
4. Show, don’t just tell: Use specific examples that have great detail, instead of just general statements, when drafting your essay. Instead of saying, “I’m committed to my education,” illustrate it through a concrete moment, for example:
   1. “During my senior year, I spent every weekday afternoon tutoring middle‑school students in math before heading to my own evening classes. Balancing both roles pushed me to stay organized and taught me how to manage competing priorities without losing sight of my goals.”
   2. This kind of specific, real‑world detail helps readers see your dedication rather than simply being told about it.
5.   Edit your work carefully: Read it aloud, revise and ask someone you trust for feedback.

Burke emphasizes that authenticity is what makes a scholarship essay stand out. She encourages students to focus on telling their story and not overthink the process.

“The essays that stay with me are the ones that tell me about the student,” she said. “I want to visualize who you are, not just read a piece of paper. Write one good essay and then tweak it for different scholarships; you don’t need to reinvent it every single time.”

Kent State’s Writing Commons is also available to help students refine their essays. The commons is open seven days a week, with in-person and virtual appointments.

Make the Most of Your Scholarship Search

Applying for scholarships isn’t a one-time task; it’s an ongoing process. Creating a spreadsheet of deadlines to stay organized, double-checking requirements and applying for a mix of large and small awards can significantly increase your chances of success.  

“It’s important to apply early and apply often,” Burke said. “That’s the free money, the money you want to get as much of as you can. Scholarships can help you avoid taking out loans or going on a payment plan. The more scholarships you apply for, the more likely you are to receive one.”

Kent State’s resources are designed to support you every step of the way. Whether you’re exploring ScholarshipUniverse for the first time or meeting with an FBE advisor to refine your approach, you’re not navigating this alone. Scholarships can make a meaningful difference in your college experience, and starting early gives you the best chance to secure the support you need.