How to Pay for College: How Can I Apply for Scholarships?

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Scholarships are an excellent source of money to help pay for college. Some scholarships are need based, some are merit (academic) based, and others are a combination of the two. There are different types of scholarships; here is a list of places to consult for various types: 

• Athletic scholarships: Information is available at www.ncaa.org.
• Corporate scholarships: The National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) offers merit scholarships based on PSAT scores, and QuestBridge Scholarships are based on merit and financial need. Many major organizations offer scholarships; sample scholarships are listed in the appendices.
• Community/Civic/Local organizations: Some local organizations, including the Kiwanis Club, Knights of Columbus, Knights of Pythias, Lions Club, and others, offer scholarships.
• Colleges: Many colleges offer scholarships based on the major being studied, “first-generation” (first student in a family to attend college) scholarships, and others. Check the college’s Web site or call the financial aid office for more information.
• Your high school: Many guidance counselors know about local, state, and national awards as well as scholarship money given to students at graduation.
• Unions and professional/trade organizations: Many unions, including teachers’ unions, offer scholarships to their families, and professional organizations also offer scholarships. Check with your parents’ employers for potential scholarships.

Searching for scholarships can be time consuming and frustrating. Money is available from different sources, but you may have to do a lot of legwork and fill out a lot of applications. You can use free scholarship searches to find potential scholarships, including: 

• www.fastweb.com
• www.finaid.org
• www.meritaid.com

Depending on the scholarship you apply for, you may be required to submit transcripts, essays, letters of recommendations, and SAT/ACT scores. To maximize your chances of receiving a scholarship, be sure to:

• Follow directions (only apply if you meet the eligibility requirements).
• Enclose all required documents.
• File the scholarship on time.
• Focus more on applying to local scholarships, as competition for national scholarships is fierce.
• Concentrate on putting together several smaller scholarships rather than trying for larger scholarships, which may be out of reach for you.
• Write a terrific scholarship essay.
• Ace your scholarship interview, if one is required.
• Have others advocate on your behalf and ask friends and relatives to notify you of any scholarships they come across.

 How Can I Avoid Scholarship Scams?

Unfortunately, there are many unscrupulous people out there who take advantage of students and their parents in the search for scholarship money.

My daughter, a high school junior, has received many letters that sound and look promising. These letters can be misleading, and they give false hope to people anxious to get money for college. Some letters you receive have expensive packaging. They imply you have already been scheduled to participate in a group presentation and interview, or they imply your high school authorized them to contact you. You can check on scholarship or financial aid companies by contacting the following organizations: