I’m really in a tough spot here. If I don’t find enough financial aid and scholarships, going to college won’t be possible. My school isn’t very helpful with the application process. I’m a Hispanic female in my junior year, the first in my family to go to college and the first U.S. citizen born here. I’ve got a 4.46 GPA and I’m really into biology and chemistry. Are there any scholarships out there that I could realistically apply for?
What state are you in?
You should check out getschooled.com for a ton of info.
Have you looked at www.futuredocs.com? They have a program for high achievers like you. Let us know if you get in!
Why not consider joining the military for four years? You could get the GI Bill and save up for college while serving.
Sage said:
You should try LULAC. They have local chapters that can help.
What’s LULAC, if you don’t mind me asking?
It stands for the League of United Latin American Citizens.
@Wylie
Which college is that?
Micah said:
@Wylie
Which college is that?
It’s a smaller campus of Penn State.
You should try LULAC. They have local chapters that can help.
Sage said:
You should try LULAC. They have local chapters that can help.
What’s LULAC, if you don’t mind me asking?
Some colleges have scholarships for first-generation students. Many colleges also have automatic scholarships based on your GPA and/or ACT/SAT scores. Some are quite generous, while others are not as much. If you find that you can’t get enough money, consider starting at a community college for two years and then transferring. Don’t forget to fill out the FAFSA; you might get some aid or loan offers.
Look into ‘buyer’ schools—usually smaller ones where your GPA and test scores are better than their average. Universities like Alabama and Troy are known for offering good merit-based aid. Smaller schools like Rhodes in TN and the University of Redlands in CA are also worth checking out. Keep your grades high, take challenging classes, and study hard for those standardized tests!
I have some general advice for you. There are many great scholarship databases you can explore. I suggest looking for scholarships in your hometown or state; the more specific the criteria, the better your chances. If your financial aid isn’t enough to cover tuition at your preferred school, consider taking general education classes at a local community college to save money. Transfer acceptance rates are usually higher than first-time acceptance rates, so don’t stress too much about getting in later. Have you started your college applications? It’s a shame your school isn’t helping, but there are a lot of online resources to guide you. Read plenty of articles! Also, remember that the tuition prices you see on college websites often aren’t what you actually pay. Schools give out financial aid based on high school performance like GPA and test scores, especially if they aren’t super competitive. You’ll have access to a scholarship application portal for your specific school once you’re accepted; most colleges have a section for scholarships exclusive to their students.
@Leith
Thank you so much for all this info!
Merrick said:
@Leith
Thank you so much for all this info!
No problem at all!