secure a scholarship

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "secure a scholarship" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to the act of obtaining financial aid for education based on various criteria, such as academic achievement or financial need. Example: "After months of hard work and dedication, I was finally able to secure a scholarship to my dream university."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Still, Ellen presses on, helping Billy secure a scholarship to a private school.

The New Yorker

82% of respondents however felt that it was hard for them to secure a scholarship.

Cornell University

His family takes centre stage, and the quest to secure a scholarship in college is foremost in his mind.

The Guardian - Sport

He is working with the Door's Bridge to College program to secure a scholarship at the College of Staten Island, which he plans to attend when he completes the CUNY Start program, and he hopes to apply for a Pell grant and support through the New York State Tuition Assistance Program to pay for his college education.

The New York Times

I did a politics degree at Bristol University Despite making numerous applications, I didn't secure a training contract after the Legal Practice Course (LPC), although I managed to secure a scholarship firstly to go to Colombia and then the Westminster University scholarship to Trinidad to work on death row cases.

The Guardian

The best solution is to secure a scholarship that would take care of all your needs.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Different things — help securing a scholarship, employment, money.

The New Yorker

By day he was a good student, and he secured a scholarship to Cardinal Hayes High School.

The New York Times

He secured a scholarship at Waterford and is about to study at university in Canada.

The Guardian

Playing basketball was always intended to be a means of securing a scholarship that would allow her to pursue medicine.

The New York Times

For high school, he secured a scholarship to attend the prestigious Collegiate School, and then went to Brown University.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about scholarships, be specific about the type of scholarship and the criteria for securing it. For instance, mention whether it's an academic, athletic, or need-based scholarship.

Common error

Avoid assuming that good grades alone are enough to "secure a scholarship". Many scholarships require essays, interviews, and extracurricular activities. Understand all the requirements to maximize your chances.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "secure a scholarship" functions as a verbal phrase, where 'secure' acts as a transitive verb, and 'a scholarship' serves as the direct object. It describes the action of obtaining or acquiring financial aid for educational purposes.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Academia

20%

Science

17%

Less common in

Wiki

13%

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "secure a scholarship" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression for obtaining financial aid for education. According to Ludwig, its usage spans across various contexts, including news, academia, and science. While "obtain a scholarship" and "get a scholarship" serve as viable alternatives, understanding the specific requirements for different scholarships is crucial. Remember that securing a scholarship often involves more than just good grades; it requires a comprehensive application highlighting your achievements and potential.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Obtain a scholarship

This alternative uses a different verb but maintains the same core meaning of acquiring a scholarship.

Get a scholarship

This is a more informal way of saying the same thing, using a simpler verb.

Earn a scholarship

This suggests that the scholarship was obtained through merit or achievement.

Win a scholarship

Implies a competitive process where the scholarship is awarded to the best candidate.

Receive a scholarship

Focuses on the act of being given the scholarship.

Be awarded a scholarship

Similar to 'receive', but emphasizes the formal awarding of the scholarship.

Attain a scholarship

This is a more formal and less common synonym for obtaining a scholarship.

Procure a scholarship

Similar to 'obtain', but implies more effort or planning.

Gain a scholarship

Another way to say you have obtained a scholarship. Emphasizes the positive result of your effort.

Achieve a scholarship

Highlights the accomplishment of getting a scholarship.

FAQs

How can I use "secure a scholarship" in a sentence?

You can use "secure a scholarship" to describe the act of obtaining financial aid for education. For example: "After months of hard work, she managed to "secure a scholarship" to her dream university".

What is a good alternative to "secure a scholarship"?

Alternatives to "secure a scholarship" include "obtain a scholarship", "get a scholarship", or "earn a scholarship", depending on the specific context.

Which is correct, "secure a scholarship" or "securing a scholarship"?

"Secure a scholarship" is an infinitive phrase, while "securing a scholarship" is a gerund phrase. The choice depends on the sentence structure. For example: "Her goal was to "secure a scholarship"" versus "Securing a scholarship requires dedication and hard work".

What are the steps to "secure a scholarship"?

The steps to "secure a scholarship" typically include researching available scholarships, meeting eligibility requirements, preparing a strong application, and submitting all required documents before the deadline.