How to find scholarships:
Free sources for scholarships:
- the financial aid office at a college or career school
- a high school or TRIO counselor
- the U.S. Department of Labor’s FREE scholarship search tool
- federal agencies
- your state grant agency
- your library’s reference section
- foundations, religious or community organizations, local businesses, or civic groups
- organizations (including professional associations) related to your field of interest
- ethnicity-based organizations
- your employer or your parents’ employers
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/types/grants-scholarships/finding-scholarships
When to apply
If you are in high school you should start applying during the summer between your junior and senior years. The deadlines for scholarships vary but the earlier you start the better.
Don’t forget to continue applying for scholarships after you start college!
FAFSA
Don’t forget to complete your FAFSA. While student aid is needs based, some scholarships, grants, loans, etc require that you complete you FAFSA.
https://www.salliemae.com/college-planning/financial-aid/fafsa/
https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa
Writing scholarship essays
Essays are a way to make a great impression and show off your personality, background, skills and accomplishments.
- Start with an outline
- Start with a strong introduction, get the reader’s interest, then follow up with supporting details
- Proofread, proofread, proofread!Get feedback from others
- Keep a positive and inspirational tone
- Be honest but be original, what makes you unique?
- Tell why you deserve the scholarship
- If it doesn’t support your pitch, leave it out
Tips
- Don’t pay for scholarships or scholarship searches
- Apply for small scholarships too, every dollar helps!
- Just like on a job resume, don’t lie! Be honest about your grades, activities, accomplishments etc. Find scholarships that fit you, don’t lie to try and make you fit the scholarship.
- Pay attention to all the little details. Avoid typos, missing information, or other errors by extra proofreading and having a friend or family member review it before you send it in.
- Also be sure to note the deadlines and preferred method of submission.
- Be prepared to provide letters of recommendation- give plenty of notice to those you want to write a letter for you.