To some students and parents, the
word "scholarship" is just another one of those
confusing college terms: student loans, FAFSA, tuition and fees,
EFC, grants, and work study. Little do they realize that knowing
more about the scholarship process could save them thousands of
dollars when trying to cover the cost of their education.
What are scholarships?
Scholarships come in a variety of
forms, but are generally considered to be "free money"
for college. Unlike loans, scholarships do not have to be repaid
to the scholarship provider. Some scholarships are awarded
directly to the student in the form of a check, while other
scholarships are written out to the student's college or
university. Several different types of providers issue
scholarships: clubs and organizations, charitable foundations,
businesses, schools, universities, government agencies, and
others.
Who can get scholarships?
It is a common misconception that
scholarships are only for straight-A students. In reality, there
are all types of scholarships for all types of students,
including those with less than perfect academic records. Some
scholarships are for athletes; others are for students planning
to study in particular fields; and others for community service.
Some scholarship providers just want to reward students for
living in a certain city or state! Students also mistakenly
believe that only college-bound high school seniors can apply
for awards. Scholarships are available for all levels of college
study, from freshman undergrads to graduate and PhD students.
How do students find scholarships?
Finding scholarships can be a very
time-consuming process, but not if students use a reputable and
accurate scholarship
search service on the Internet. There are several online
resources for finding scholarships for college. Students can
also ask their high school guidance counselors about any local
or state awards that they qualify for. Students should contact
the financial aid office at the college or university they plan
to attend to learn if they qualify for any awards provided by
the school.
When should students look for scholarships?
Scholarship application deadlines
vary greatly. There are thousands of scholarship programs with
spring and summer deadlines, and thousands more with fall and
winter deadlines. The key is to never stop searching for new
scholarship leads, even after beginning the freshman year in
college. A good rule of thumb is to continue searching for
scholarships for the duration of the college career.
Click
here to search for scholarships at ScholarshipExperts.com
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