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How to Find College Scholarships

When it comes to funding your college education, the abundance of scholarship opportunities available can truly make a difference. Even if you come across scholarships that offer just a few hundred dollars, keep in mind that those awards can accumulate and significantly contribute to your overall expenses.

Scholarships provide an excellent avenue to obtain “free money” for college. With countless types of scholarships accessible, it’s highly probable that you’ll find several for which you qualify. While they do require effort on your part to discover and apply for them, the potential rewards are well worth it.

Scholarships can help cover various expenses, including tuition, books, housing, and more. To embark on your search for scholarships, prepare yourself to write essays detailing your personal experiences and career aspirations, as many scholarships require such submissions. Each scholarship program will have specific criteria and expectations, so conducting thorough research and tailoring your applications accordingly is crucial.

Don’t feel like reading? Watch this video on How to Find College Scholarships on my YouTube channel!
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Do You Need to Pay Back College Scholarships?

Unlike student loans, college scholarships do not need to be paid back. There are literally individuals, companies, ministries, and organizations who are giving away FREE money for young adults to get a college education. That is what makes college scholarships so wonderful and why I highly recommend working to secure a few of them. 

Being awarded a college scholarship can help reduce the amount of debt you need to pay back once you graduate. Believe me, you do not want to have a ton of student loans that you need to pay back if you don’t have to. If you have been accepted to go to a college or university, chances are that here are at lease some scholarships that you qualify for. So do your future self a favor and apply for them! 

Here are some strategies to expand your search for college scholarships. 

How to Find College Scholarships 

Online Scholarship Databases

Utilize reputable online platforms that specialize in aggregating scholarship opportunities. Forbes created a list of the top 9 scholarship websites and search engines and the top 3 were websites like Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and CollegeBoard provide fantastic databases where you can search for scholarships based on various criteria such as academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, demographics, and more.

This is probably the best place to get started because these databases will connect you with tons of scholarships from around the country. However, everyone has access to these scholarships and even though you have to meet certain criteria to apply for each one, it will also benefit you to do some extra searching outside of these databases. 

Professional Associations and Organizations

Explore scholarships offered by professional associations and organizations related to your field of interest. Many industries have dedicated associations that support aspiring students through scholarship programs. Visit their websites or contact them directly to inquire about available opportunities. 

Local Community Resources

Tap into your local community resources such as libraries, community centers, Rotary clubs, and non-profit organizations. They often offer scholarships that are specific to your region or community. Keep an eye out for announcements, bulletin boards, and newsletters for information on local scholarship opportunities.

When I was in college, my mom was a part of our local Rotary Club and she connected me with them to apply for the scholarships that they offered. 

Corporate and Business Scholarships

Numerous corporations and businesses provide scholarships to students as part of their corporate social responsibility initiatives. Research companies that align with your interests or have a connection to your desired field of study. Check their websites or reach out to their human resources or corporate social responsibility departments to inquire about scholarship programs.

If you are currently working as a high school or college student ask the company you work for if they offer any college scholarships. My father actually had his entire tuition paid for by the paper company he worked at most of his childhood. It sounds a bit old-school, but hey he got a free education out of it! 

College and High School Financial Aid Offices

Apart from providing general financial aid information, college financial aid offices are excellent sources of scholarship opportunities. They may offer institutional scholarships that are exclusively available to students enrolled at their school. They may also know of some other smaller, locally offered scholarships that you may be eligible for. Take the time to speak with a financial aid officer to learn about scholarships specific to your college.

Faith-Based Organizations

Churches, Christian radio, and even some national ministries offer scholarships to students attending a Christian school or receiving a faith-based degree such as Worship Arts. Radio stations like WayFM offer scholarships to Colorado Christian University. Also, check out The Christian Connector which offers various scholarship drawings for Christian colleges for free. 

Conclusion

Remember, scholarship applications often have deadlines, so it’s crucial to stay organized and plan ahead. Create a schedule to ensure you don’t miss any application deadlines and allocate sufficient time for essay writing and gathering required documents. Put your best effort into each application and tailor your essays to highlight your unique experiences and qualifications.

By employing these strategies and dedicating time to your search, you’ll significantly enhance your chances of securing college scholarships. Remember, every scholarship you receive is a step closer to making your college education more affordable and accessible.

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