where to find scholarships

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"Where To Find Scholarships"

If you take a look around yourself, you’ll find scholarships. Don’t believe us? Think about all of the groups, clubs, businesses, churches and organizations in your community. Each of these is a potential source for scholarships. On SuperCollege.com, we offer the most comprehensive directory of scholarships possible, but there are always new scholarships established that we haven’t yet uncovered. Here’s how to find them:

Counselor Or Financial Aid Office. If you are a high school student, start with your school counselor. Make an appointment to discuss financial aid. Before your appointment, prepare information about your family’s financial background. Think about what kind of college you want to attend and what special interests or talents you have that would make you eligible for special scholarships. Explain your background to your counselor and ask for suggestions of where to find scholarships that match your experience. Ask if there are any scholarships for which your counselor can nominate you.

If you are an entering freshman or a current college student, make an appointment with your school’s financial aid advisor. For your appointment, think about what interests and talents you have that may apply to scholarships, and take a copy of your financial aid application as background. Mention any special circumstances about your family’s financial situation. Ask your advisor for recommendations of scholarships offered by the college or by community organizations. Inquire about being nominated for scholarships that fit your background.

It’s important whenever you speak to a counselor (either in high school or college) that you inquire about scholarships that require nomination. Often these scholarships are easier to win since the applicant pool is smaller. The largest hurdle is to get nominated. You have nothing to lose by asking, and if anything, it shows how serious you are about financing your education.

Scholarship Directories. Go the old fashioned route and get a hold of a scholarship directory book. (Subliminal hint: We’ve written that you can purchase in our Books & Resources Store). These directories will provide lists of scholarships that you can peruse to find those that fit your background and experience.

School Activities. One unexpected benefit of participating in activities might be a scholarship sponsored by the organization. Inquire with the officers or advisors of the organization about a scholarship fund. Bands, newspapers, academic clubs, athletic organizations, and service organizations often have scholarships that are awarded to outstanding members.

Community Organizations. If you think about what you do outside of school as well, you will find another potential source of scholarships. But don’t limit yourself to only organizations that you belong to. Community groups often sponsor scholarships that are open to all students who live in the community. Open a phone book and call the five largest organizations in your area. Chances are that at least one will offer a scholarship.

Employer. Many businesses that employ young people offer scholarships as a way to reward students like you who both study and work. Ask your manager if your employer has a scholarship fund and how you can apply.

Parents’ Employer. Companies often award scholarships to the children of their employees as a benefit for their employment. Your parents should speak with someone in their Human Resources department about scholarships and other educational programs offered by their company.

Parents’ Union. Some unions sponsor scholarships for the children of their members. Your parents should speak with the union officers about scholarships and other educational programs sponsored by the union.

Parents’ Organizations. Are your parents involved in civic or other local organizations? These organizations may offer scholarships for members. For example, service, political, ethnic, and recreational organizations often offer scholarships.

Church Or Religious Organization. Religious organizations may provide scholarships for members. If you or your parents are members of a religious organization, check with the leaders to see if scholarships are offered.

Local Government. Some cities and counties provide scholarships specifically designated for local students. Call your city hall to see if there are any funds set up for students like you.

Local Businesses. Local business owners want to see students in their community succeed and some have set up scholarship funds as a way to thank customers and customers’ children. Contact your local chamber of commerce to see if there are local businesses that offer scholarships for students in the community.

Local Newspaper. Some local newspapers make announcements about local students who win scholarships. Keep a record of the scholarships printed or go to your library and look at back issues of the newspaper. Contact the sponsoring organization to see if you’re eligible to enter the next competition.

Internet. In addition to the scholarship database on SuperCollege.com, check out other resources on the Internet for finding scholarships such as search engines and other free scholarship search sites. One of the most powerful things about online scholarship directories is that they can be updated at any time. Thus, if you search an online scholarship directory you can find up-to-date information on new scholarships.

Good luck on your money hunt!

Thank you for visiting,

Al Brouillard

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