Money is often the most significant barrier to pursuing a higher education and the Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship Program strives to help remove this barrier by awarding scholarships to meritorious students of all ages to pay for college or graduate studies.
The inaugural scholarship was presented in 2001 and the scholarship program has continued to provide funds to assist students with their educational expenses.
The Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship is a merit-based program, so financial need is not considered.
An impartial panel of judges selects the winner, which is mostly determined by the quality of the submitted personal statement. Past academic performance, such as grades and standardized test scores, is not taken into account.
The goal is to create a fair playing field in which students have complete control over their applications and are not granted an advantage or disadvantage due to financial or academic conditions.
What is a scholarship?
A scholarship is a form of financial assistance given to a student for educational purposes based on academic accomplishment or other criteria, which may include financial necessity.
There are several types of scholarships, the two most prominent being merit-based and need-based.
The donor or department that funds the scholarship determines the criteria for recipient selection, while the grantor specifies how the money will be used.
The funds are used to cover tuition, books, housing, board and other expenses directly related to a student’s educational fees at the university.
Scholarships are often provided based on many criteria, including, but not limited to, academic excellence, departmental and community activity, work experience, areas of study and financial necessity.
The USA offers a comprehensive scholarship program to both prospective students and current and upcoming graduates.
What are the primary sources of scholarships and grants?
There are four major categories of free money accessible to college candidates. We will list and explain them below, along with the percentage of total grants and/or scholarships received from each source:
- Federal grants comprise 47% of total financial help
- State grants and scholarships account for 8% of total financial aid.
- School-based scholarships and grants account for 35% of total financial aid.
- Private scholarships comprise 10% of all financial aid.
1. Federal Aid (about 47% of total aid)
It is projected that the federal government distributes $120 billion in federal aid each year. However, if you’re seeking federal merit scholarships, you’re out of luck. Almost all federal awards require a demonstration of financial need.
To be eligible for federal assistance, you must first complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Types of Federal Student Aid
Pell Grant (Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant)
The FSEOG is accessible to students who demonstrate “exceptional financial need.” If you do not qualify for a Pell stipend, you will not be eligible for this stipend, which runs from $1,000 to $4,000 per year.
The FSEOG will not be offered to all schools and the funds may run out
Veteran and Military Student Aid
The federal government offers many sorts of military student aid to members of the United States Armed Forces and veterans.
ROTC Scholarships, the Montgomery G.I. Bill, the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill, the Yellow Ribbon Program, U.S. Armed Forces Tuition Assistance (TA), and the Student Loan Repayment Program are a few examples.
2. Federal loans. State aid (about 8% of total aid)
Almost every state education agency offers at least one grant or scholarship program to its people. Some provide many programs.
Southern states are more likely to provide money based on GPA and maybe test scores. States on the East and West coasts are more likely to offer rewards based on financial need.
3. School grants and scholarships (about 35% of total funding)
Here’s how the award procedure usually works: When a student applies to a school, the admissions office determines whether or not to accept the application.
If the institution offers merit scholarships, the decision is normally made during the admissions process, depending on the student’s grades and test scores.
This frequently occurs before the school determines whether a student qualifies for need-based aid.
When the school evaluates the financial aid form, the admissions team determines if a child still requires assistance, even after considering merit scholarships.
If the institution is willing to provide more aid, it will offer a need-based grant in addition to the scholarship.
Unfortunately, the top research colleges and liberal arts schools do not provide merit scholarships.
Their aid is solely in the form of need-based grants. As a result, if you do not qualify for need-based help, you will be required to pay the full tuition at these colleges.
Because of the wide range of help available, it is critical to use a net price calculator when determining the generosity of any institution.
4. Private scholarships and company subsidies (about 10% of overall aid)
Private scholarships are awarded by outside organizations. Some of these organizations include foundations, civic groups, businesses, religious groups, professional organizations and charities.
Many people believe that private scholarships are the most significant source of school funding, yet, as you discovered, they are among the smallest.
Unlike other sources, these scholarships often last for one year, with the majority of prizes totaling less than $4,000.
As a result, the chances of earning a scholarship are approximately one in eight. The odds of receiving a prestigious scholarship can be one in 250 or one in 500.
Gen and Kelly Scholarship
The Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship is a merit-based initiative that awards three students each year for educational expenditures.
High school students in grades 9 through 12, as well as undergraduate and graduate students, can apply for the program.
Gen and Kelly Tanabe are award-winning authors who have authored many books on scholarship and admissions.
The award is named after the two authors, who also serve as the program’s primary financial supporters.
The initiative began in 2001 and has consistently provided students with educational scholarships. Applications for the Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship are accepted twice a year, with three students selected in each session.
The applicants are judged solely on their essay submissions, with no regard for financial necessity or prior educational background. This provides an equal opportunity for all qualifying students to earn the award.
Eligibility and Requirements for Gen and Kelly Scholarship
- Eligible Grades: High School Freshman to Graduate
- Maximum age: Any.
- Required GPA: Any.
- Geographic eligibility: United States.
- Gender: Any.
- Race/ethnicity: Any
Award Announcement
The selection process lasts 6 to 8 weeks, so expect an announcement by the end of September.
Successful applicants will be contacted by email and, if no answer is received, by mail in the United States.
How to Master the Gen and Scholarship
1. Focus on the essay
The essay is the only criterion used to select recipients for the scholarship. Because submissions are accepted for an extended period, you should take your time selecting an essay topic and getting started.
2. Choose your subject wisely
Don’t use the pre-determined essay themes because there will be a lot of submissions for those. Either work on a subject connected to current events and trends or something relevant to the judges’ interests, such as the education sector.
3. Consult with teachers and mentors
Ask for assistance in selecting a topic and finalizing the points in the essay. Take criticism and make changes.
4. Use your prior work
If you have a previously prepared essay for school or another scholarship, use it as your submission. Importantly, identify areas for development and make the article as impressive as possible.
Criteria for Gen and Kelly Scholarship
The program aims to provide equitable opportunities to all students, regardless of financial need or prior academic record. So the only selection criteria are the contestants’ essays.
Why We Love the Gen and Kelly Scholarship
1. Equal opportunity for all
The selection is solely based on the submission of the essay, with no regard for financial necessity, previous academic record or history of the applicants.
As a result, all students, even those who have previously struggled to maintain a strong academic record, have an excellent opportunity to shine.
2. The application provides versatility
Although there are a few essay themes supplied, the selection panel has given students the option of choosing any other topic or submitting a pre-written essay. This provides students with a lot of comfort and an opportunity to play to their strengths.
3. Time to spare
There is a significant amount of time between the application’s start and end dates. Students have plenty of time to write the finest essay based on their strengths.
Facts About the Gen and Kelly Scholarship
- It’s named after award-winning authors
- Driven by enthusiasm and experience
Gen and Kelly Tanabe, the program’s principal supporters, have been providing literary works to students, and their real excitement and concern are evident.
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Giving back to society
Gen and Kelly Tanabe are Harvard grads who both received merit-based scholarships for their schooling. They are now offering the same opportunity to other pupils.
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Two decades of service
The foundation has provided continual support to students for 20 years, beginning with the award of the first scholarship in 2001.
Conclusion
The Gen and Kelly Tanabe Scholarship doesn’t stop at giving merit-based scholarships; they also assist students in identifying alternative scholarships that meet their needs and are relevant to their studies.
