Student
Financial Aid – College Scholarships
Develop a scholarship strategy:
Although most student aid comes
in the form of federal
education loans and grants from colleges,
scholarships are available to students who qualify.
If you
decide to invest your time in a search for scholarships, it's important to
have an organized
system to find, apply for, and win scholarship
money.
Research local scholarships
first: Begin with your high school
guidance office. Counselors
will know about scholarships for
students graduating from your high school. They may also be
aware
of scholarships for residents of your town, county, and
state.
Check organizations and
employers: Organizations of all types
and sizes sponsor
scholarships. Explore categories such as
religious, community service, fraternal, military,
union, and
professional. Employers like fast food chains, department stores, and
supermarkets
often give
scholarships.
Contact your state Department
of Higher Education: Almost every state has a
scholarship
program for residents -- keep in mind, however, that
awards are usually limited to students who
attend college
in-state.
Use a scholarship search
service: A scholarship search company
collects information on
hundreds of awards and compares your
student characteristics with scholarship restrictions.
Based on
your answers to a questionnaire, you will receive a list of possible
scholarships. It is
up to you to decide which ones you will try
for.
Research institutional
scholarships: Since the vast majority of all
scholarship money is
disbursed by colleges, it makes sense to
research what kinds of scholarships are available at
the schools
that interest you. Check out college websites, catalogs, and financial aid
offices for
this information. Institutional awards can be offered
on a university-wide basis, or within a
particular college or
major.
Scholarship Application Tips:
The scholarship application
process is very similar to the college
application process.
First, you filter a large list of possible choices into a focused list
that
matches your requirements. Then you create compelling
applications that are supported by
your achievements, essays,
recommendations, and interviews. Here are some tips to help you
create strong scholarship applications:
- Start Your Research
Early
- Read Eligibility Requirements Carefully
- Organize All
Scholarship Materials
- Make Sure Your Application Is Legible
-
Proofread Your Application Carefully
- Don't Leave Items Blank
-
Follow Instructions Carefully
- Make Copies of Everything You Send
-
Double-Check Your Application
- Get Your Applications in
Early
Tip: Begin your college search as
soon as possible!
