Make sure to use a calendar or a spreadsheet to keep track of all the due dates so you don’t accidentally miss one!
If you’re a member of a religious community, check with your church, temple, or synagogue to see if they offer any scholarships.
Scholarship information is available publicly, so you don’t need pay a website to give you these search results.
To get the highly-competitive Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship, for instance, you need a GPA of at least 3. 0, and you have to demonstrate outstanding character and leadership. [7] X Research source Try looking for scholarships based on the career you want. For instance, if you want to be a nurse, you might apply for the A Nurse I Am scholarship, the Scarlett Family Foundation scholarship, and many more. [8] X Research source If you’re crafty, go for the Stuck at Prom scholarship—to win this one, you have to make and wear your prom outfit entirely out of Duck tape.
Remember—you don’t always have to be a perfect candidate for a scholarship as long as you meet the basic requirements. You might very well be the best fit out of all of the applicants! Also, keep in mind that the more scholarships you apply to, the better your chances of getting one.
Some scholarships will require you to fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) before you can be eligible, so have that information on hand, as well. The FAFSA determines how much help you’ll need to pay for college based on your parents’ incomes (or yours if you’re an adult). [12] X Research source
For instance, if you have to tell a story about overcoming a challenge, paint the scene with vivid detail—talk about how you felt as you faced the problem, a little background to explain why it was such a big deal for you, and how you summoned the strength and courage to succeed. Try to find ways to relate to the organization’s mission statement. For instance, if you’re applying to a faith-based school, you might mention how your belief in God helped you during a hard time.
Be sure to ask several weeks before the application deadline so they’ll have plenty of time to finish your letter. You can usually reuse your references if you’re applying for more than one scholarship.
Need-based scholarships are only granted to students who are facing financial hardship. These are often called “grants. “[17] X Research source
Similarly, you might be one of only a few candidates when you apply to scholarships that are only available to students who live in your city or state.
It can help to dedicate a few hours each week solely to finding and applying for scholarships.
