Going to college is by no means an easy feat. From the extensive application process to the demanding entrance exams, earning your spot can be tough. Even after going through all that, there’s still the exorbitant fees to worry about. That’s where scholarships come in. With only one in eight students winning a scholarship, having good grades doesn’t cut it anymore. You have to prove to the scholarship provider that you are worth the money and that you’re an ideal scholarship recipient.  

Planning For College Without The Money – 02:44

It’s every parent’s dream to see their kid go to college. However, the sad reality is that not every parent can afford to take their kid to college. So, what do you do when your child starts talking about college life when they very well know you can’t afford it? Do you just give up on them and tell them that the degree is not important? No, even without the money, your kid can still go to college; it all depends on what you do about it. You need to start training your child to become the ideal scholarship recipient. There are hundreds of organizations and schools offering scholarships to deserving students. But your kid has to prove that he or she deserves it. 

How To Win Scholarships For Both Your Bachelors and Masters Degrees – 04:08

The good thing about scholarships is that you never have to pay back the money and that there are scholarships for practically anything. From people of color to persons with disabilities, there’s always that unique scholarship that suits your profile and meets your every need. To boost your chances of landing a scholarship, make sure it’s a unique scholarship and you fit the uniqueness described. If you’d like to pursue a Master’s degree, the best way to win a scholarship is by going all the way through. If you’ve got the momentum, why stop?  

Working With First Gens – 07:00

With college tuition fees hitting the roof and student loan debt at a crisis level, many students are turning to scholarships as an alternative way of getting through campus. Even though scholarships are easy to find, many first gens are still finding it hard to land these scholarships. Jenifer saw this as an issue and decided to tackle the problem by addressing the root cause of why students are not winning scholarships. Amazingly, Jenifer has managed to collectively help students win over 15 million dollars-worth of scholarships simply by narrowing down what a student wants to get and what they want to do. 

Becoming an Entrepreneur – 12:44

Entrepreneurship is definitely not for the faint of heart. So, before you take that first step, ask yourself whether the journey you are about to embark on is worth taking. If it’s worth the risk, then do it. Although going all-in has worked miracles for some people, for some, it’s usually a slow transition that can last up to several years. No matter the approach you choose to take, always remember it’s not about the money; it’s about solving a problem. Solve a problem, and the money will surely come. 

Things Jenifer Would Have Done Differently – 16:25

As earlier mentioned, some people take years before fully transitioning into full-time entrepreneurship. And this was certainly the case for Jenifer, who took 7 years before finally going full time. Taking your time before taking the plunge can be a good thing, but it always helps to have a plan about when and where you’ll transition. It won’t be easy, but having a mentor and having the drive to learn new skills will undoubtedly set you up for success.

Being Flexible – 18:45

Life can be really unpredictable sometimes. With this in mind, always be prepared to pivot in case something happens. The school curriculum won’t teach you how to adapt to different situations, so it’s up to you to learn how to do that independently. When the pandemic struck, a lot of people were left with no means to a livelihood. Such times present the perfect opportunity for you to redefine yourself. If you are having a hard time maintaining your business, quitting should never be an option. Choose not to quit and be flexible enough to reinvent yourself.  

How To Balance It All – 21:00

Nobody has the power to balance all the responsibilities that life throws at them. The one thing to remember is that you’re human, and people can’t expect you to be perfect all the time. Some days you perform certain duties better, some days you don’t. If you feel like you’ve had enough, take a break. After all, self-care is the surest way of maintaining productivity.     

For over 20 years, UVISEME (You-vize-me) Founder Jenifer Price, Ph.D., LMSW has offered strategic advice to high school, early-career adults, and their families in the college and career selection process. She has visited 200+ colleges nationwide and helped students collectively win over $15 million dollars in scholarships to date. Her wisdom is accessible via one-on-one consulting, her online college advising course for students and families in grades 7th-12th: College Edge, and the companion book for teens and young adults: Generation EDGE: Your GPS to Career Success. Connect with Jenifer Price on LinkedIn.

 

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