Looking For Scholarships
by Richard D. Lewis, Jr., M.Ed.
February 01, 2000

Trying to find financial aid for school is a long and tiresome process. Finding scholarships, or money you do not have to pay back, is an even longer process. In the final analysis, those willing to put in “hours” looking for scholarships will have a better chance of finding “some.”

Where to Look?

Listed below are the “major” areas to begin scholarship searches;

1. High School Counseling Center – has a number of scholarship applications which they receive over the course of the school year. Qualifications vary, but it’s a starting point.

2. College Financial Aid Center – where you plan to attend. Ask the Financial Aid director, the Admissions Director, specific Department heads for your planned area of study.

3. Libraries – check to see it they have any books that “list” scholarships. Here’s where the “hours” begin. You have to wade through the books to see what you qualify for.

4. Organizations – anything you (the student) or your parents have a connection with.

A. Unions or Professional Organizations (your parents or you belong to)

B. Civic or Church Groups (your parents or you belong to)

C. Former or Current Employers (Military Veterans, etc.)

D. Gender or Cultural Groups (scholarships for women, minorities, etc. )

E. Planned Area of Study (scholarships for Education majors, doctors, etc. )

F. Anything else – no matter how small the chance may be, if you think of it, look it up!

5. Internet – Probably the biggest source today. More helpful hints in the next section.
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Okay, you have to get online, then the fun begins. Click, click, click. It’s going to take awhile. Make realistic plans for large blocks of time to sit down and search. Here’s where to start looking…

1. The Counselor’s Page – at http://counselorspage.rical2.net . This is a links page to sites on the internet that we have explored. Lot’s of information and leads to other places to look.

2. Scholarship Search Engines – there are sites where you sign up, plug in information, and the site generates a list of scholarships you may qualify for, and how to contact them.

3. Search Engine Links – Most of the major search engines have their own links pages. For example at Yahoo you click the link for “Education”, then “Financial Aid”, and on down the line. A lot of repeats, but check out all the major search engines.

4. Organizations – as mentioned above, check out any club, organization, career field, etc., that may offer a scholarship to post-secondary institutions.

5. Federal Government – Don’t forget to check the .gov sites. There are programs to encourage students to enter certain careers, (for example, scholarships for persons entering fields in human services).

6. General Web Searches – visit the search engine sites again, this time for a general search. Plug in words like “scholarship”, “financial aid”, “scholarships, women”, or anything else you can think of and see where it leads you.

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1. Remember, this is a time investment. To get a good return, you have to put in a lot of time.

2. You should not have to pay anything. I’d really think twice. The idea is to get “free” money for school, not pay to apply. A judgment call by the individual, but check it out first!

3. Ask, ask, ask. Too bad if people think you are a pest. Especially school officials. Get answers. Ask them what they have, and apply.

4. Get help. There are plenty of people to help you apply as well. School counselor’s can “most” of the time answer your questions, or at least tell you where to find the answers.

5. Know the deadlines. Most center around March 1st. Don’t procrastinate. Get organized! Get it done!

If you have questions you can email us and we'll try to help.   

Please print and use at your convenience.