Top Ten Ways to Find Scholarships

31 January 2010
Posted in High School - High School Info

Making the right match is the key. Find the right combination of your abilities, what the school offers and your financial needs

2. Start early

Start looking in sophomore year in high school. Start looking in your own backyard. And, set up your student profile with reputable scholarship finder websites:

Cappex

Zinch

Fastweb

Meritaid

Check with your parents’ employer, eagle scouts, writers, artists, etc.

Get your family finances in order. Know your EFC, Expected Family Contribution: a key formula based on assets and income which can affect the amount of scholarship funding. Cost of college doesn’t matter as much as EFC. What the family is ABLE to pay.

Fill out the FAFSA for gov’t low interest loans, federal grants and work study programs. The FAFSA can be completed online through the US Department of Education, or logging into: www.ed.gov Avoid private lenders first

Community service is an indicator of a well-rounded student. Many times, it is as impressive as an all A student.

Schools want to know how you will impact their school community and the community beyond through your level of dedication and responsibility to serve.

Also, for students who don’t have an A average, it is a good way to show your great qualities for scholarship opportunities.

Seek out mentors: pastors, youth group leaders, coaches, employers, community leader or teachers who know you, believe in you and genuinely see the best in you. And, who would be willing to write a positive letter of recommendation highlighting your passions, talents and achievements.

Finaid.org lists 6 signs of scam scholarship offers:

• Application Fees –avoid any fee to fill out an applicaton
• Loan fees – advanced fees for a loan
• Guaranteed winnings – no one can guarantee you will win a scholarship
• Everybody is eligible – scholarship recipients are for a specified audience
• Unclaimed aid myth – most financial aid programs are highly competitive and not much goes unclaimed. People typically will find the offers
• We do it for you – it must be your work—application, essays, letters of rec

There is no maximum number that you can apply for. Go for it if you are eligible!

But, do it well and do it right!! And, always give them what they are asking for!!

Essays should include your:

• Achievement
• School activities
• Community volunteerism
• Honors
• Awards
• Positions of Leadership

Do your best quality work! Messy and careless work will be discarded.

Network with your friends, especially older peers and friends who have succeeded in this process. Share your ideas! Look at their volunteerism ie. Girl Scouts, Red Cross, Eagle Scout, etc.

Keep on plugging. Do a little bit over a long period of time: maybe monthly.

Don’t be gun shy about negotiating with the financial aid office.

Don’t be gun shy about student loans: this is a very important INVESTMENT. Many of us wouldn’t think twice about a car loan.

Kimberly Simpson
Collegiate Admissions Consulting Services, LLC

34 Riverdale Drive
Covington, LA 70433
985.893.9260
504.450.9976 mobile