Finding and Applying for Scholarships

Where do I go to find scholarships? While there are plenty of scholarships to go around, it can sometimes feel like they’re hiding in plain sight. A quick search will turn up several databases that consolidate available scholarships so that students can find them—but you’re not going to qualify for all of them. Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make your search go a little smoother.

• Meet with your school’s guidance counselor. Most high schools have a guidance counselor who can help you along your path to getting into college. Part of their job is to help you find everything you need to be successful when getting into school, so they’ll be able to point you in the right direction for looking up scholarships. They should also have advice about what kinds of scholarships you qualify for and what to look for in scholarships. They can help with just about every step of the application process.
• Ask the school’s financial aid office. Another reliable source for finding scholarships is via your college-to-be’s financial aid office. It’s never too late to apply for scholarships, so you can ask the workers in your financial aid office if they know of the best databases to search, upcoming opportunities from the school, and other ways to get a scholarship. They often receive emails from companies and organizations about scholarships so that they can share that information with students like you.
• Think about your interests, hobbies and charitable work.
  Believe it or not, these can all pay off in the form of scholarships. It doesn’t matter if you want to go into fashion, gaming, social work, or like to play Pokémon cards; there’s a scholarship out there you can apply for. Leave no stone unturned when searching for scholarships because every dollar helps pay for schooling.

How do I apply for a scholarship? There are so many forms to fill out when applying for college. Admissions forms and FAFSA to get started, then you will add scholarship applications on top of it all. There’s a strategy that will help you to make the best use of your time, so you’re not adding another 35 to 40 hours to your already busy week.

• Narrow down your search. You’re not going to qualify for every scholarship available. Even then, you’re not going to be the best candidate for some of the ones you qualify for. Narrow down your search and then use a spreadsheet to keep track of the scholarships that are the best fit. It’ll be much easier to take your time and put your best foot forward in your essay.
• Ask for letters of recommendation. Most scholarship applications require a letter of recommendation from a teacher or someone you know. Make sure you ask people you trust and have a good relationship with. You want to make it easy for them to write a glowing review that paints you in a positive light. After they’ve written your recommendation, send them a thank-you note. It doesn’t have to be long, but you certainly need to thank them for writing your recommendation.
• Get official copies of your transcript. Not all scholarships are going to care about your grades. Some will ask more about your current academic path and plans for the future. Those that come from organizations that do want to know about your grades will require official transcripts from your school. Request them from your school’s registrar’s office so you have them on hand. You can also ask them to send the transcripts directly to the organization from which you’ll get the scholarship.
• Take time writing your application letter. Your application letter is your pitch to the person who decides whether or not you should be getting scholarship money. Take the time to thoughtfully write out your response, edit for grammar and punctuation, and make sure it makes sense. Rushing through the process isn’t likely to get you the money you need.

How do I get my money? Scholarship money will be given to you in one of two ways: the money might go directly to your school for tuition, with any remaining amount given to you—or you’ll receive a check in the mail that you can use to pay your tuition, buy books, etc.

So, if you’re trying to figure out how to get a scholarship, don’t go it alone. Ask for support from those in-the-know and use all the resources at hand. While it may be tedious—think of the application process itself as a test. After all, it tends to eliminate those who don’t want to go through the hassle—putting you ahead of the game!

Don’t forget: once you’re in college, you can save even more money by taking advantage of exclusive student deals on productivity software, which includes all the popular apps you need to make the grade.