Scholarships

Scholarships are a great way to help pay for school. They usually don’t just fall in your lap so it will take time, effort, and possibly creativity to find them and complete the applications. A little work could definitely pay off in the long run, because unlike loans, these are funds that do not have to be paid back.

A word of caution: Don't pay anyone to find a scholarship for you. There are enough opportunities out there that are FREE! Private scholarships are often based on criteria such as grades, age, gender, race, major, interests, and membership in clubs. There are even unusual scholarships for almost everything you can imagine.

Where to Search for Scholarships:

• High school guidance counselor
• Colleges/Universities
• Local businesses and organizations, i.e. Dollars for Scholars
• Library
• Religious organizations
• Fraternal organizations
• Employers - yours and your parents
• Tribal agencies
• State agencies
• Large corporations
• Internet:
  • Fastweb
  • FinAid
  • Scholarships.com
  • Scholarships4School.com
  • Collegenet
  • Scholarship Coach.com
  • International Scholarships.com

Tips for Applying for Scholarships:

• Begin searching early – one year in advance.
• Apply for as many scholarships as possible.
• Strictly observe deadlines.
• Only apply if you meet required qualifications. It is best to spend quality time on scholarships for which you are qualified.
• Talk to students who have already received the scholarships you're interested in and find out what worked for them.
• Be completely honest about your grades, experiences, memberships, qualifications, family finances and other information.
• Read applications carefully and follow instructions. If the application asks for a 500-word essay, make sure you don't exceed this limit.
• Prepare a portfolio that you can use for multiple applications.
• Make essays personal, concise, and clear. Find creative ways to present information about yourself.
• Limit your resume to one page.
• Supplement your application with personal letters of recommendation.
• Proofread everything before you send. Look out for typos. When possible, also have someone else proofread your work.
• Follow up with a telephone call to make sure the organization received your application.
• Remember to send thank you notes for scholarships you are awarded. This small courtesy often has a big effect.
• Know the retention requirements for keeping a scholarship you have been awarded. Examples may include: maintaining a certain GPA, continuing a particular field of study, or attending a designated school.

Beware of Scams

In a frantic search to cover tuition costs, students and parents can be easy targets for scams. A general rule of thumb is, if it sounds too good to be true – it probably is! Use common sense.

Some things to be leery of are:

• Exclusive – Be suspicious of services claiming to have "exclusive" information. The vast majority of financial aid comes from the federal government and from universities themselves. Private foundations and organizations that offer scholarships are eager to spread the word and have no interest in keeping secrets.
• No work – It is a red flag if any offer claims it will do "all the work" for you. Any legitimate scholarship foundation wants to hear from the student and expects them to do a little work for their money by filling out paperwork, writing an essay or letter, etc.
• Guarantees – If a service claims it can guarantee students a scholarship, it is simply not true. Even if they offer a money back guarantee, the stipulations to qualify are virtually impossible to meet.
• Application Fees – As a general rule, you shouldn't have to pay. Do NOT send money to PO boxes.