With soaring tuition costs, figuring out how to pay for college is more important than ever for most students. Loans require repayment with interest, and working your way through college takes time away from academics. Scholarships, however, basically represent free money for college.
While few students receive the most prestigious full tuition, room, and board scholarships, there are thousands of smaller scholarships that may be easier to earn. Those $500 or $3,000 scholarships can add up!
The Internet is a great tool for finding out about these less publicized scholarships that can help you pay for your college education.
Start Close to Home – The first place to look is your own college’s website. The financial aid office will usually have a list of scholarships offered by the college, as well as resources for finding more information. If you’ve declared a major, your department may also have scholarships or funds for research, projects, and conferences.
Widening the Nets – Free websites like FastWeb help students search thousands of scholarships to find ones matching their strengths and interests. Be wary scholarship searches that charge fees – there are plenty of free sites with large listings, and fee sites are often scams. Financial Aid Finder lists several legitimate sites and provides advice on applying for scholarships. Visit your local bookstore, too, where you will find a number of hefty scholarship directories filled with all kinds of money for college opportunities.
Play to Your Strengths – Once you’ve picked a major, check out professional societies, which often offer student scholarships and travel grants. Some scholarships are offered for women or minorities, particularly in science, math, and technology. Others are open to anyone in the field.
What hobbies or sports do you do? Are you a member of an ethnic minority or do you have ancestry in another country? Organizations for hobbies, sports, religions, ethnic minorities, and other groups offer scholarships to students with particular talents or affiliations.
Be Political – Passionate about the next presidential election? Health care? Immigration? The environment? You could receive a scholarship for writing a short essay about your political views or for demonstrating active involvement in political issues.
For example, the Morris K. Udall Scholarship is awarded annually to students who have shown commitment to environmental careers and to Native American and Alaska Native students committed to careers in tribal policy or health care,
How to Apply – Most student scholarships require writing a short essay, which may explain why you should get the scholarship, or which may involve writing about a book, belief, or idea that you’re passionate about.
Read the directions carefully and follow them exactly. Print out your application and essay neatly. It helps to find a smart friend, family member, or professor to help you proofread and even strengthen your application.
Some scholarships may also require letters of recommendation-ask for these early to give your recommenders plenty of time. It may help to give them copies of the forms and addressed, stamped envelopes.
Most scholarship applications will also ask for a transcript and possibly a resume, depending on the selection criteria.
Scholarships aren’t just for geniuses and star athletes. Although it takes some work to find the right scholarships and apply, there are plenty of opportunities. Finding scholarships that suit you is easier than ever with the many resources available on the Internet. Your college’s financial aid office can also help you find scholarships and polish your application.
