Don't fall victim to the scams listed in this handout.
Use this handout to track all the scholarships for which you apply.
These scholarships are awarded by colleges based on information provided in your admission applications (more likely with private colleges) or through a separate scholarship application filled out once you’ve completed the college’s admission application. If you meet criteria, these are often the best scholarships, so be sure to apply if you qualify.
Often Scholarship Application Deadlines are much earlier than Admission Deadlines, but you must have submitted and been accepted to the college to be considered for scholarships. For example, the University of Houston's application deadline for Fall 2025 is June 2, 2025; but the scholarship deadline was November 1, 2024.
These scholarships are often based and grades (GPA/rank) and test scores as well as other criteria. Some are also need-based. Take advantage of free test prep resources to improve skills and retake the ACT and/or SAT to improve scores to be eligible for these scholarships. See the "ACT & SAT Testing" page for more info.
Check out the scholarship website for each college to read about scholarships offered for incoming freshmen, criteria to qualify and application process. Example of a College’s Scholarship Website: http://www.finaid.txstate.edu/scholarships.html
Hint: Sometimes it’s easier just to Google college + scholarship to get to the site rather than navigating through the college’s website: i. e. Texas State Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded by various organizations, usually not tied directly to a specific institution. You can find these scholarships through scholarship databases, the RHS website, directly from organizations and companies to which you or your parents belong or for whom they work. Mrs. Wallace will also be sending out scholarship information through the Class of 2023 Google Classroom.
Online Database Search Engines: A number of good search engines are listed on the Scholarships and Financial Aid page of the Rouse Counseling Services webpage. Also, in Naviance under College--Scholarships and Money, the National Scholarship Search section will link you the Sallie Mae Search Engine. Whichever search engine you choose to use, be sure to create a profile so the search engine can better match you with scholarships.
"Local" Scholarships: These are scholarships that are often offered to a limited group of students, such as students in Williamson County or Central Texas or LISD . You can find these in Naviance under the College section. Go to Scholarships and Money, then Scholarship Search. The list of scholarships is updated as new scholarship information is received, so check back often.
· Contests or Sweepstakes
· Based on affiliations
· Based or specific characteristics—leadership, service to community, specific college major, etc.
· Offered by local organizations for students at area high schools (Norton Moses Mason Lodge in Leander) or attending a specific college (Williamson County Aggie Moms Club); may or may not be need-based or looking for students with specific characteristics
· Essay: These scholarships are usually based almost or entirely on the student’s essay about a specific topic (PEC offers an essay scholarship contest each year.)
Note: Many scholarship applications required students to write a short essay about themselves related to the scholarship criteria. This personal statement is part of several components of the essay, not the sole criteria for determining a recipient.