Don’t rule yourself out: Scholarships are not limited to class valedictorians and star athletes. They are awarded based on a number of factors-from your career goals to exceptional writing skills displayed in an essay contest.
Apply for as many awards as you qualify for: Even small awards can be helpful in covering cost, such as books.
Pay close attention to deadlines: Missing a deadline is a sure way to become disqualified.
Look for scholarships offered by a variety of sources: Including companies, unions, foundations, community organizations, churches, and more.
Tell family, friends, teachers, and others in your community that you are looking for scholarships: They may know something you do not.
Understand the conditions of an award: Such as maintaining a specific GPA or participating on an athletic team.
Make use of free scholarship directories and searches: Such as the ones listed on the back of this page.
Watch for scholarship scams: You should never pay for scholarship advice or information.
If you receive a scholarship, be sure to write a thank-you note to the organization. You may want to reapply for scholarship in the future so it is important to make a good impression.
When it comes to paying for college, the best place to start is with free money. Billions of dollars in college scholarships are awarded each year, but you must take the first step and apply. Searching for scholarships may take a little time and energy, but remember-even if you spend five hours applying and receive only one $500 scholarship, that’s the same as earning $100 an hour. So, what are you waiting for?