Scholarships : Searching for Scholarships ?

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The scholarship search is a significant undertaking; it's not something you can accomplish on a Saturday afternoon. Though applications and requirements may vary from year to year, it's never too early to begin.If you need help paying for school, you should begin searching for a scholarship immediately. Scholarships are a great way to pay for college, because unlike loans, scholarships do not have to be paid back.

Types of College Scholarships

There are many different types of college scholarships that are available. Some scholarships are based upon merit, while others are based upon financial need. There are also scholarship programs that give special consideration to minority students.

You should begin searching for scholarships as soon as possible. Many college scholarship opportunities have application requirements and deadlines that must be met. If you begin searching too late, you may miss out on valuable opportunities. It is never too early to begin searching for college scholarships.

Top 5 Scholarship Searching tips

1. Check Your Prospective Schools

Go to their website or call the financial aid office. If you meet the qualifications, find out how to apply. Don't assume that by applying for admission, you're applying for scholarships. It's often a separate process. Be aware that scholarship deadlines can be different from those set for the admissions application. In fact, some schools ask you to submit an application for scholarships prior to your application for admissions.

2. Inquire With Your Academic Advisor

If you are currently a student, you likely have access to an advisor or counselor. Take advantage! He or she may know about a scholarship that's a good fit for you. If there is a dedicated office for students heading to college or graduate school, find out what services they offer their students.

3. Research Local Community Groups

Do you belong to a church group or a local chapter of some national club? Are either of your parents a member of a union? Does either of them work for a large corporation? Many of these organizations offer scholarships to members and their children.

4. Try Online

When using a search engine, we recommend you refine your search. Simply typing in "scholarships" will yield thousands upon thousands of hits. Use qualifiers such as specific schools and programs of study to help narrow the field.

A word of caution: You should never pay money to investigate scholarships. Scholarship providers don't offer their awards to students who pay to find them; they offer them to all students.

There's no one central clearinghouse of all the legitimate graduate scholarships and fellowships, but here are a few reputable sites to try:

5. Be Keenly Aware of Deadlines

Deadlines vary by scholarship; some are the summer before your senior year, others in the fall or as late as spring. To stay organized and keep track of due dates, we recommend keeping a calendar, and making your earliest deadline the deadline for all of your applications. Finally (and this cannot be stressed enough), do not miss your deadlines. You'll have no recourse if your application arrives late, and you will have zero chance of receiving that award.

A final word: You may review 100 scholarships before you find one that applies to you. Be patient and stay the course. Eventually you'll uncover a good match. And you'll appreciate all your research when you secure some funds!