How to Find Scholarships

Source: wikiHow

One of the scariest and most challenging things about going to college can be figuring out how to pay for it – especially if you’re going to college in the US. However, the process of finding scholarships is not as daunting as you may think. Schools, corporations, and nonprofit organizations give out millions of dollars in scholarships each year.

Some are merit-based, meaning you need particular grades and test scores to qualify. You qualify for others based on your background or membership in particular groups.^[1]

1. 1 Make a list of your hobbies and interests. While many scholarships are merit-based, there are plenty of scholarships available specifically for students that have particular interests or participate in various activities. Even your obsession with a TV show or movie could land you a few hundred dollars in scholarship money.^[2]
   • Think of your strengths and talents as well. For example, if you’re a good writer, you might include “writing” as an interest on your list. Go further and specify the types of writing you enjoy, such as short stories or poetry.
   • Some hobbies and interests require you to provide samples when you apply for a scholarship. For example, if you apply for an art scholarship, you might need to submit a portfolio of your work.
2. 2 Write down your affiliations and characteristics. You may qualify for scholarships based on your religious, social, or political affiliations. Scholarship opportunities may also be available based on your gender identity, race, ethnicity, or sexuality.^[3]
   • Make a list of people you know who could possibly serve as references for you based on each particular affiliation. For example, if you want to look for religious-based scholarships, you might need a reference letter from the pastor of your church.
   • Have your parents check with their employers about scholarships. If you have a part-time job while in school, your employer also may have scholarships available.
   • Be honest with your affiliations. Claiming an affiliation you don’t really have could get you in serious disciplinary trouble.

   Tip: Some scholarships are given based on financial need. You’ll need information from your parents or guardians about your family’s financial status to determine whether you qualify for these scholarships.

3. 3 Start researching during the summer before your senior year. Some scholarships have relatively early deadlines, particularly those that can be applied to your cost of attendance at any school. You’ll find more opportunities if you start looking as soon as possible – ideally, during your junior year of high school.^[4]
   • The reference section of your public library is also a good place to look for scholarships. A research librarian can point you in the right direction and help you find scholarships you might qualify for.
4. 4 Talk to your high school guidance counselor. High school guidance counselors have training in locating scholarships for students. Your guidance counselor may be able to point you toward opportunities that would take you a lot of time and effort to find on your own.^[5]
   • Larger public high schools may have a single guidance counselor who works on nothing but college acceptances and financial aid. Smaller schools, however, may have fewer resources.
5. 5 Contact the financial aid offices of schools where you’ve been accepted. Many scholarships are offered directly by colleges and universities. If you’ve filled out financial aid forms, you may be entered for some of these scholarships automatically. However, you typically have to indicate interest and complete a separate application.^[6]
   • The financial aid office’s page on the school’s website often will have information on various scholarships that are available.
   • Check scholarship opportunities at several schools before you decide where you want to go. Most outside scholarships can be used at any school, but school scholarships can only be applied to your cost of attendance at that school.
6. 6 Try free online search engines to find scholarships. There are many large scholarship databases provided by government agencies or independent organizations. You can search these for free using keywords based on your lists of interests and affiliations.^[7]
   • FastWeb, FinAid.org, and Scholarship.com have large online scholarship search engines. The U.S. Department of Labor also has a scholarship search tool available at https://www.careeronestop.org/toolkit/training/find-scholarships.aspx.
   • FinAid.org includes some more unusual scholarships available for students with more obscure hobbies, interests, and affiliations.
7. 7 Ask about scholarships from religious or community organizations. If you are a member of a religious or community organization, you may be able to find a scholarship there. You can also ask any organization or group that you’ve volunteered with.^[8]
   • Even if your specific group or organization doesn’t offer scholarships, they may be able to point you to scholarships offered at the regional or national level.

1. 1 Check the requirements and qualifications. Each scholarship has its own specific application requirements. Many applications may be similar, but none will be exactly the same. Some may require you to write an essay, while…

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