I’m currently a high school senior and feeling a bit lost on how to start applying for scholarships. I’m planning to attend a small private school out of state and will likely receive a good amount of need-based aid. Beyond that, where can I find external scholarships? I have a 3.2 unweighted GPA and a 4.1 weighted GPA, along with a 1490 SAT and a 30 ACT (I didn’t study much for the ACT but I’m retaking it this Saturday). I’m very open to writing essays for scholarships. Does anyone have recommendations for scholarship lists or specific ones I should apply to?
Books on scholarships from the library are a great resource.
Bold.org is a great place to start! My friends and I applied for a ton of scholarships there today. Some are only available to high school juniors and seniors, so I’d definitely take advantage of that!
If your school doesn’t offer a good list of local scholarships, try Googling other schools in your area, both private and public.
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Apply for admission to the schools you’re interested in as soon as possible. Some merit scholarships are awarded with Early Decision, so use the Common App if you can to stay organized. You’ll receive your acceptance letter along with information about the scholarships you’re being offered. Don’t forget to complete the FAFSA as well, but note that these scholarships will be merit-based.
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Look into local scholarships. Reach out to your school’s post-secondary advisor, college and career readiness team, or guidance counselor if you have one available.
I started by defining my major, as scholarships are often awarded to those who clearly demonstrate their commitment and suitability for their chosen field. Once you’ve established this, it gets easier. Determine the type of grant you need—whether it’s just for tuition or if it should cover additional expenses like travel, food, and housing. Research at least 15 universities, considering factors such as campus size, dormitory options, student reviews, class formats, and potentially connecting with faculty.
Make sure to thoroughly read the information on each university’s website. Don’t rely on external sources for details. If you have questions, check the FAQ section or reach out to the university directly via email. I hope you find this information helpful. Good luck!
My son had some success with scholarships, and I wanted to share a few suggestions based on my experience. Not all scholarship databases are created equal, so here’s what worked for us:
I wasn’t impressed with Bold or ScholarshipOwl, and my son didn’t find the no-essay scholarships very useful.
What I liked:
- Scholarships.com
- Scholarship360
- Fastweb
- Scholarship America
- Kaleidescope
- JLV Counseling Scholarships
- Discover’s extensive list
- Going Merry
- TUN Scholarships
For additional resources:
- Monica Matthews offers a monthly scholarship list and has an excellent eBook to guide you through the process.
- Dave from Scholarship GPS provides daily scholarship updates, does essay reviews, and offers a great video course.
Also, don’t forget to check professional organizations related to your major. They often offer significant discounts to students and have scholarships available only to members. My son won one of these scholarships, which also came with mentorship, networking opportunities, and support for navigating college for two years.