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June 24, 2025

Where to Market Your Scholarship: 10 Ways to Reach More Students Before the Deadline

Kaleidoscope

Launching a scholarship is an incredible way to give back, but getting applications in the door isn’t always easy.

One nonprofit leader recently shared:

“Our scholarship has been open for weeks, and we’ve only received one application. We posted on social media, emailed counselors, and local students. What else should we have done?”

It’s a common scenario, especially for first-time scholarship administrators. If you’re worried you haven’t marketed your scholarship effectively, don’t panic. There are still ways to get it in front of the right students, fast.

Here are the 10 best places and strategies to market your scholarship and maximize visibility before your deadline.

1. List It Where Students Actually Search

Students increasingly search online for scholarships, so make sure yours is discoverable.

Top scholarship databases to list your opportunity:

✅ Pro tip: Use a clear, searchable title like “2025 Local Scholarship for High School Seniors – [Your City/State]”

2. Partner with Local Schools & Counselors

School counselors are trusted by students and parents, but they’re also busy.

Make it easy for them to help you by:

Sending a short, well-designed flyer or PDF with key details
Providing sample text they can include in newsletters or announcements
Asking if they’ll post it on the school website or internal bulletin board

Even if your scholarship is for high school students, local community colleges and universities often maintain scholarship lists for younger siblings, transfers, or outreach.

Reach out to:

Financial aid offices
Diversity & inclusion departments
College access programs (like TRIO or Upward Bound)

4. Use Libraries, Community Centers & Faith-Based Groups

Community touchpoints still matter.

Print or email your flyer to:

Local libraries (many have physical or digital scholarship boards)
Youth-serving nonprofits (Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA, etc.)
Churches, mosques, synagogues, or temples with youth programs

5. Leverage Online Communities (the Right Way)

Students and parents are online, so go where they are.

Post in:

Reddit communities like r/Scholarships or r/ApplyingToCollege
Facebook Groups for local parents or community forums
LinkedIn groups related to education or nonprofit initiatives

Just remember to follow the rules of each group when posting.

The more shareable your scholarship is, the further it spreads.

Here’s how:

Use a clean, mobile-friendly application link
Create Instagram Story graphics using Canva or similar tools
Add a “Nominate a Student” option so educators or parents can easily pass it on

7. Engage Local Media and Influencers

You’ve already tapped local news (great move!). Consider:

Sending a press release to radio stations or online community calendars
Asking local education bloggers or influencers to share it in their newsletter
Reaching out to alumni of your nonprofit or school to help amplify

One post isn’t enough. Try:

A countdown (“3 days left to apply!”)
A behind-the-scenes look at your mission
A Q&A about the scholarship or eligibility
Sharing testimonials or quotes from past recipients, if applicable

9. Send One More Email, But Focus It

If you’ve already sent a broad announcement, try a more targeted follow-up:

Personalize it: “Hey [First Name], we thought this opportunity might be perfect for you.”
Include deadline urgency: “Applications close Friday, don’t miss it!”
Encourage forwarding: “Know a student who could benefit? Please share!”

10. Use a Platform to Save Time Next Time

If this cycle has been stressful, know there are tools that make it easier next time.

At Kaleidoscope, we help scholarship providers:

List their scholarship in our searchable marketplace
Streamline applications, reviews, and disbursements
Communicate with students and counselors in one place

🎓 Ready to simplify your next cycle? Start your scholarship with Kaleidoscope.

Final Thoughts

Even if your scholarship deadline is fast approaching, there’s still time to reach the right students. A mix of digital visibility, community outreach, and smart sharing can dramatically boost applications, even in a matter of days.

And if this year’s been a learning curve, know that you’re not alone, and there are better systems for next time.

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