Students with specific majors
Already know what you want to do with the rest of your life? Countless organizations support young people who are pursuing certain careers. You must show that you are genuinely passionate about whatever field it might be, from digital photography to interior design. You will need to let the scholarship people know how you found out about the field, who mentored or inspired you, how your dedication grew and what skills you learned or developed. Have truthful, profound stories ready to share. Have you started your own business in this career already? Have you supported your fascination through volunteer work? Do you have recommendations from people in a related field? These are the factors that will help a committee select you above all others for that cash. Consider these examples: The American Nursery and Landscape Association has money for those who love flowers, trees and the outdoors. The Arabian Horse Foundation helps those who adore horses. Other organizations have money for those whose focus is cooking, construction, forestry, hospitality, the performing arts and more.
Students who show leadership
Are you known for taking charge and putting things together? Do you already have a few groupies that really like you? Scholarship committees are impressed with young people who have shown some form of leadership. If you have helped others by using your abilities in organization and guidance, or if you have inspired others, then this is the place to let it be known.
MYTH:YOU NEED STRAIGHT A'S TO WIN MONEY FOR COLLEGE
The Truth: While straight A's certainly don't hurt your chances of winning [scholarships and awards for college], you may be tempted to place too much importance on your grades. Many scholarships are based on criteria other than grades and are awarded for specific skills or talents such as linguistic, athletic or artistic ability. Even for scholarships in which grades are considered, GPA is often not the most important factor. What's more important is that you best match the qualities the scholarship committee seeks. Most students who win scholarships do not have the highest GPA. Don't let the lack of a perfect transcript prevent you from applying for scholarships.
—GEN AND KELLY TANABE, Get Free Cash for College
What have you done? Show it, don't just tell it. Give concrete examples such as letters of recommendation, photographs and projects. Point out the responsibilities you have taken on and what they have taught you. Places like the Financial Service Centers of America, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation and Discover Card promote their own businesses by sharing their profits with students like you.
Students with particular religious backgrounds
If you have been wondering if God has been listening to those prayers, this might be your answer. To promote the growth and development of their religion or denomination, many church organizations offer students college scholarships. Okay, time for real honesty here. Do not try to get one of these scholarships or awards if the only times you go to church are to attend weddings, funerals and pray right before a major test. You have to be a true believer and show it through your active involvement with the church. Perhaps you lead a youth group, work in the church nursery, take classes from the pastor or participate in other areas of ministry. It is common to see scholarships from the Methodist, Catholic, Baptist and Presbyterian churches.
Students with superior athletic ability
Love to chase some kind of ball around? If you are the star football, basketball, baseball, tennis, golf or track star, chances are there is a college or organization that wants to give you the money to go to college. As Gen and Kelly Tanabe say in their book on scholarships, “Athletic scholarships are the Holy Grail. At their best, they can cover tuition and fees, room and board and books. That's not bad for doing something that you enjoy.” Not sure if your sport is covered? Even the Ice Skating Institute of American Education Foundation and the National Archery Association have money to share. Check it out!
Students with a specific ethnic background
Time to look through your family tree. To celebrate their history and culture, some ethnic organizations are willing to give you money for school. This helps increase the number of minorities on campuses and also encourages students to go into professions they might have ignored or otherwise overlooked. Many groups are represented, including such organizations as the Sons of Norway and the National Italian American Foundation. Look for information regarding your heritage.
Students with hobbies
And your friends tried to say you were wasting your time! Not so. Scholarships are out there for young people who have serious hobbies. Of course, you have to show that you don't just pursue this hobby on rainy weekend afternoons, but that you are involved on a regular basis. You also want to prove dedication to this hobby by showing a consistent effort to improve the skills it takes to be good at what you do. Perhaps your hobby has even led you to awards and honors or to the creation of your own business.
WHERE TO FIND SCHOLARSHIPS
For most students, the hunt for scholarships is a short one. Many start with a scholarship book or head to the Internet. Unfortunately, most students end their search after exhausting these two sources.
Big mistake!
Books and the Internet are only the tip of the iceberg, and neither comes close to listing all the available scholarships. If you do your own detective work and canvass the community, you will uncover additional awards. Keep in mind that local scholarships may have smaller overall awards, but the chances of your winning them are much higher. Here's where to begin:
High school. The first stop in your scholarship hunt should be the high school counseling office. When an organization establishes a new scholarship (awards are created every year), high schools are the first places to get a notice. Over the years, most counseling offices have assembled a long list of scholarships. Don't reinvent the wheel if the counselor has already collected the information. Also remember that some high schools give out a set number of scholarships to their students each year and often less than that apply. In other words, all you would have to do to get the scholarship is fill out the papers!
Prospective colleges. Contact the financial aid office at every school you are interested in attending. Not only do the colleges themselves offer scholarships, but their financial aid offices also maintain lists of outside opportunities.
Civic and community organizations. Every community is home to dozens of civic organizations, such as the Rotary Club, Lions Club, Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Elks Club and VFW. Part of their mission is to support the community by awarding scholarships.
Businesses big and small. Many businesses such as newspapers, shopping malls, supermarkets and retailers offer scholarships to local students. For example, every Wal-Mart and Target store awards scholarships to students in the community. To find these opportunities, contact the manager at these businesses. You can get a list of businesses from the chamber of commerce or in the reference section of the public library.
Parent's employers/union. If your parents work for a large company, have them ask the human resources department about scholarships. If they are limited to the children of employees, there may be little competition for these awards. Also, if your parents are a member of a union, have them ask the union representative about scholarships.
Professional or trade associations. From accounting to zoology, every profession has its own associations, and many of these professional associations use scholarships to encourage students to enter the field. Start by looking at groups related to your future career.
Religious organizations.