Scholarship Search

Searching for scholarships is an important part of the financial aid planning process. As you know from reading this blog, it is imperative that you complete the FAFSA so that colleges can review you for available need-based federal financial aid sources, including grants, work programs, and loans. In addition, many colleges and universities may have their own institutional scholarship (need-based and merit) programs available. For consideration of institutional scholarship programs, you may be required to complete a CSS Profile Form and/or an institutional financial aid form. Check with specific colleges for their application requirements.

You should also look beyond what the colleges may have available in terms of scholarship monies. There is one more avenue that you can take in trying to obtain scholarship monies and definitely worth putting some time in - enter the world of outside scholarships.

Separate from what colleges have to offer, there are sources of scholarship and grant monies available to families from a variety of sources and sometimes these sources are closer to you than you think! Below is a summary of possible avenues for you to pursue in your search for college funding:

Employers: Many employers, especially those with a large number of employees, may offer scholarship programs for dependent children of employees. It is important to contact your Human Resource Department and inquire whether they have scholarship programs and what the respective deadlines are to apply.

Religious Affiliations: If you have a particular religious affiliation, you may want to inquire if there are scholarships available, for example from a specific church, temple, etc, that you have a connection with.

Community Organizations: Many community groups and organizations make scholarships available on a yearly basis to their members. Be sure to check with any community organizations that you are involved with and inquire as to available programs. Examples of community organizations include your local rotary club, business bureau, elks club (or similar type membership organizations), or other community clubs and organizations.

Local Scholarships: Your guidance counselor will have information (and applications) available on local scholarships that may be available to graduating seniors. Typically speaking, a high school guidance department office will have information and applications available to students during the school year, so it is very important that the student visit the guidance office and look at the scholarships opportunities that are managed at the high school level. The student should make a point of listening to the guidance department announcements and stopping by their office to peruse the available scholarship resources. Not all scholarships can be applied for directly, but many can and must be in order to be considered so this is a MUST DO activity for the high school senior and NOW is the time to visit the guidance office and inquire.

Scholarship Search: The last avenue that I will mention is a scholarship search through a reputable database. Before I tell you where to turn for this, I want to mention that you should NOT pay any company to do a scholarship search for you as searches are available for free. There are SCAMS out there that will charge families to conduct a scholarship search and don't give you any information that you can't get yourself for FREE. PLEASE be wary of scams and do not pay a company (or individual) to do a search for you.

Free scholarship databases are available and give the student an opportunity to create a profile, share demographic information specific to them and then are provided with a list of possible available scholarship opportunities. Students can then decide which opportunities to pursue and will need to complete a separate application for each opportunity. YES it is a time consuming process, however, one that should not be overlooked. At least check out the databases and get a sense different options - then you can decide whether you want to apply for them or not.

http://www.FASTWEB.com is a good place to start to look for scholarship opportunities ~ good luck!

I hope that you found this information helpful!