Again, some scholarships will display this information from the get-go. Providers might have a very specific vision for who can earn the scholarship and what they can use it for. Most will cite tuition as their required use, but others might allow students to use it for room and board, books, living expenses, or something related. If the scholarship’s website doesn’t specify, ask.

Does it go into effect your freshman year? Next fall? Immediately? It’s good to know when you can access the funds you’ve earned.

A lot of scholarships are “one and done”, meaning once you’ve earned the money, that’s it. Some, however, are renewable, and can give you funds for multiple years. Check with your provider to see if that’s the case, and if you need to re-submit your application every year of if you’re already set.