GET SCHOLARSHIP HELP WITH THESE BASICS AND TIPS U.S. Department of Education Resource Article
College is expensive, but before you take out any loans, find out if you qualify for awards and scholarships. You might find scholarships at the school, local, state, and/or national levels. By following a few tips – such as looking for scholarships everywhere, understanding their criteria, and staying organized – you could be awarded thousands of dollars for school. Though there’s no guarantee you’ll be awarded any money, the effort may be worth it if you’re willing to put in the time. LOOK FOR SCHOLARSHIPS ANYWHERE AND EVERYWHERE You can’t apply for scholarships if you don’t know where to find them. Here’s a handy list of resources you can use: • A college’s financial aid office (offers scholarships just for that specific college) • Community and religious organizations, local businesses, and community foundations, which may increase your chances of obtaining scholarships because each has a smaller pool of applicants • Your employer or your parents’ employer(s) • The U.S. Department of Labor’s free scholarship search tool 1
• Your high school counselor’s office • Your state’s higher education agency • Organizations related to your interests (give it a quick Google search) You might find scholarships at your school, local, state, and/or national government levels.
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LEARN WHO CAN APPLY Anyone who is going to be attending college next year can apply for scholarships. This includes current high school seniors and current college students. Different scholarships have different eligibility requirements, so check and make sure you meet all the requirements for a scholarship before you apply. KNOW WHEN TO APPLY The best time to apply is right now. It is never too early to look and apply for scholarships. Even if the due date is still months away, it’s good to get a head start. Late winter and early spring tend to be primetime scholarship seasons for the next academic year and the time frame when most scholarships will be offered. 3
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