Need To Find Money For School? Do This

The Best Places To Find Scholarships

If you think scholarships are only found in one place, like the school you’re planning to attend, think again. You’ll want to look in as many places as possible to ensure you don’t miss any financial aid opportunities, and here are some of the top spots for finding that funding:

1. Your personal connections.

No, we’re not suggesting you reach out to friends and family to ask for a loan. Instead, talk to friends and family and ask if they know of any scholarships tied to the companies they work for. If they’re members of professional unions, you may have luck there as well.

2. Your school.

Once your personal connections are checked off the list, turn to the school where you’re looking to study. You can begin by contacting the financial aid office and asking for scholarship opportunities. They may point you in the direction of on-campus alumni offices or the specific department you plan to major in.

3. Scholarship book directories.

Some books can open your eyes to all of the scholarships that are currently available. Even if you don’t find the right fit, a scholarship book directory can break down how funding is offered according to the field of study, interests, activities, and so on. This can give you ideas on how to search online for even more money.

4. The Internet.

You may choose this as your first option, just to see what’s out there without having to do a ton of work or make several calls. When searching for scholarships online, try different routes. For instance, you can search scholarships for your field of study. You can then move on to scholarships for specific interests or activities you partake in.

Don’t limit yourself here, as there are scholarships for almost everything under the sun. In short, get creative with your search.

Preparing Yourself for the Process

Instead of jumping right in and applying for scholarships, you want to be prepared. The more prepared you are, the better your chances of winning that funding for school.

To begin the prepping process, make a list of the following:

• Accomplishments
• Interests
• Activities
• Goals for the future

Take your time when making this list. The goal is to lay out different angles for scholarships since some can be extremely specific. You’ll want to use this list in your search, as well as in bolstering your applications so you can stand out from the competition.

Once that list is complete, make a portfolio with the following from your past:

• Poems
• Essays
• Projects
• Papers

You may be able to use some of them when applying, so you don’t have to waste time writing something new.

Increasing Your Chances of Winning

You won’t be the only student applying for scholarships, so do your best to be unique. Find what scholarship committees are looking for by contacting them directly. With that insider info, you can craft your application to fit their desires to the T.

When completing your application or writing an essay, emphasize how you’ll impact others with your education, not just your own life. The greater the perceived impact, the greater your chances of winning the scholarship.