The Scholarship and American Society

Scholarships have changed the face of college campuses across America, adding students who had at one time only dreamed of attending a university to the mix. Companies, organizations, and individuals that sponsor scholarships are looking for the potential in younger generations. Most sponsors realize that great potential is often discovered in unconventional people - many of which need resources in order to see their potential turned into success. College isn't free; rather it is a competitive market place of an exclusive nature. Colleges select students on the basis of merit and yes, often money. The good news is that students who put forth the effort will have access to the resources necessary to land them on at least one academic playground in this country. Scholarships fundamentally support the capitalist structure of our economy while at the same time leveling the playing field for students across the country. Such resources provide opportunities that students can reach out for regardless of their financial circumstance, and place a college education within the grasp of many deserving individuals.

The Motivation Behind the Scholarship

It's not often that people are willing to fork over thousands of dollars in cash to a complete stranger. So what possesses someone to give you (the stranger) money to attend college? If you have ever wondered why sponsors offer scholarship, consider how they shape our society:

Scholarships Increase Workforce Diversity

Companies service a wide range of clients; clients who likely speak different languages, carry different expectations, and have varying skill levels. By creating scholarships that encourage the education of a people with varying ethnicities, religions, and cultures, companies can continue to encourage the creation of a diverse yet mutually understanding workforce. Many students have looked to Scholarships.com for help in finding scholarships for minorities—and they have found success. There are countless African American scholarships, Hispanic scholarships, Asian scholarships and disability-related scholarships. The list goes on.

Scholarships Create Opportunity

College is an expensive luxury for most families. There aren't many families with an extra fifty grand lying around—even families who earn an above average income. Such households are typically denied financial assistance from the government, yet they don't have access to the amount of money necessary to fund an education. Scholarships provide students from every socioeconomic background the opportunity to earn a diploma and to develop skills necessary to create success in their lives.

Scholarships Promote Upward Mobility

Many high school students realize the necessity of a college education early on and they are aware that their family may not be able to foot the bill for their tuition. Students who are aware of the scholarship opportunities available can focus their energy in high school on optimizing their chances of receiving a scholarship. Opportunities are available, even through the universities themselves, but students have to make an effort to gain access to them. By a maintaining a good GPA, participating in extracurricular activities, and succeeding on the SAT/ACT students can take the initiative to ensure that financial assistance will be available when it's needed.

Scholarships Reward Achievement

If a student doesn't exert the effort to achieve in high school (which is nearly free), continuing to fund an even more expensive education through college is difficult for anyone to justify. By making the effort to achieve in high school, students show that they are committed to their futures. This commitment is what scholarships seek to reward, as it is typically these students who go on to make great contributions to their communities.