Search on your own: Ask about opportunities at school, community and religious organizations and don't be afraid to ask everyone you know if they know of an opportunity!
Apply for ALL scholarships you qualify for REGARDLESS of award amount: One of the most common issues students encounter within their scholarship search is limiting themselves by scholarship amount. Small award amounts add up, too, so apply for any and all scholarships you qualify for.
Keep (and use) a Scholarship Calendar: Create a specific timeline that allows you devote a set aside time to applying to scholarships. Look at your scholarship search like any other assignment that is due - consider your due date the DEADLINE! Remember the more scholarships you apply for the better your chances.
Improving your Scholarship Essay: To put your best foot forward , work to improve your application essay. It's also to helpful to save your essay so that you can reuse essay parts that are applicable to the scholarship.
It is your responsibility to search for and apply for scholarships - not your parents, counselor's or other adult. Although they may help, it ultimately comes down to you!
The kids that get more money, put more work into it: Searching, essay's, etc.
While you are researching scholarships, beware of scholarship programs that use the following phrases:
The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back
Truth: no scholarships for college are guaranteed; you have to apply for them! Even if awarded a scholarship it can be rescinded based on your overall performance come end of year.
You can't get this information anywhere else
Truth: scholarship information is public information.
I need your credit card/bank account number to hold this scholarship.
Truth: school scholarships are awarded based on need or merti, not on financial information.
"We'll do all of the work"
Truth: students pursuing college financial aid do most of the work.
The scholarship will cost some money
Truth: college scholarship are gift aid toward the student's college education; they don't require payment by the student.
You've been selected by a foundation to receive scholarship/You're a finalist in a scholarship contest
Truth: if you haven't reached out to an organization or entered a contests, it's unlikely that you would be randomly selected for their scholarship.