by Denicia Alves
(Sacramento, California, USA)
Choosing to go to college and further your education is necessary in today's society, but you must understand that when you go to college it is an investment into your future. This is because college is not free, either you are paying for it or you have been lucky enough to have found some sponsors.
by Janice Pang
(Davis, CA, USA)
Are you tired of writing “personal” scholarship essays that are anything but? Has the lack of scholarships tailored to your interests – to you! – gotten you down?
Well fear no more!
I have a simple, and surprisingly practical, piece of advice: Do what you love.
The key to obtaining scholarships is not necessarily to apply to every single one you can (although this doesn't hurt your chances), but to narrow down the ones that address subjects in which you are truly interested. It's simply a matter of looking!
More often than not, scholarships tailored to your interests are listed elsewhere other than the major scholarship-finding sites. For example, I obtained $400 to fund my Design schooling by presenting my t-shirt design at a local music festival. No matter what you are into, you can be certain that people before you have shared your interests and are now willing to give scholarships out to people like you – people who are passionate about what they do.
So, what is YOUR passion? Is it chemistry? Soccer? Painting? If it is, then show it! But note that the focus should NOT be on the subject, but on what the subject reveals about YOU.
Show your love of discovery through each novel hypothesis and careful calculation. Show your competitive side through detailed descriptions of the adrenaline rushing through your veins before a soccer game. Show your creativity through a mixture of wild blotches and fine brush strokes.
Do what you love and you cannot fail.
Allow me to explain: Of course, you can't win them all. You have to understand that there are others who share the same passions as you, who have the same goals. You will win some and you will probably lose more. I had submitted eight other designs to eight other scholarships before I had won the $400. Had I lost hope after my first rejected design, I would have gotten nowhere. But you cannot give up; as long as you keep doing what you love, and you truly care about your subject, it will show through your work and it will be recognized.
Read more College Financial Aid Tips from other students and parents who have been through process.
by Lauren Peterson
(West Bridgewater, MA, USA)
You fill out the FAFSA and you receive your SAR back. How can they say our Expected Family Contribution is this! We don't have that much money. I will be filling out Student Loan Applications for the next four years.
We are a middle class family with a mortgage, car payments and everyday bills. We will not feel defeated when it comes to college financing.
Finding Scholarships
Plug in anything when searching for scholarships. They are out there. If I don't continuously look I will be paying for college for the rest of my life. Visit your guidance counselor on a weekly basis. Go to other schools websites. You will be amazed at the information you can find.
Visit retailers, financial institutions, clubs. So many organizations and businesses offer scholarships. Yes you may not meet all the criteria for some but there are many of them out there that don't scrutinize the middle class.
Always remember to complete the application and double check their requirements before you seal the envelope. This is so important because if by chance you miss one thing or don't sign where it needs to be signed you will be disqualified.
Finding scholarships that a middle class family can receive is possible. The challenge is to search every engine possible and send them out. I've been searching since December to see what is out there. Make a file for everything you've applied for and have a calendar so you can mark the dates when the winner is announced.
It's like winning the lottery when you get a congratulatory letter. Stay positive!
Scholarships for 2024 - It is never too early or too late to work on your scholarship searches. If you are part of the high school class of 2024, you should work on your scholarship and college search now. See our list of Scholarships for High School Seniors
FAFSA - The official 2024 - 2025 FAFSA will be available in December. FAFSA.
Scholarship Lists An overview of the different types of Scholarship Money for College.
Grants Learn more about grants, the other free money for college.
Need Tuition Help? Reduce the cost of tuition with these college Tuition Assistance Programs.
Tax Credit Claim the American Opportunity Tax Credit.
College Savings Plans Save money for college with these College Savings Plans.
Need a Student Loan? Yes, you qualify for these college Student Loans.
Scholarships for High School Students