Where Can I Find Good Scholarships???

[Jakezori]

I am trying to get through college with the least amount of money out of my pocket. I know of all the major websites for scholarship searches, but I always hear about people getting $1000 for having blue eyes, or a broken leg or some nonsense life that. In addition to writing essays and being entered in drawings I was hoping I could find a good resource for scholarships that aren't crazy difficult to earn.

[Madcrawdad]

When I was in high school (many years ago), I applied for lots of scholarships through the Guidance Counselor's office. They had a filing cabinet full of different applications, and I stopped by regularly, as they continually received new ones.

From my recollection, most applications required some sort of essay along with a teacher's recommendation, and a few may have required copies of transcripts.

You should probably ask your guidance counselor for assistance.

As far as not being interested in scholarships that are 'crazy difficult to earn,' why the disinterest? You can't expect people to just hand you free money for no reason. If you're going in with the attitude that you want as much free money, for as little work as possible, you're likely to be disappointed.

[Jakezori]

Thanks, I plan on visiting my guidance councilor soon =). Also, I am aware that scholarships take work, I wasn't implying otherwise. I have heard many stories of my brothers friends or my friends friends getting random scholarships for goofy things and I shouldn't just forget about the goofy stuff and go for the serious scholarships when both of them will potentially fund my education. Thus, I will pursue every way possible to fund my education and I am simply asking for help so that I may have a successful college career.

[Reframer]

Check for financial aid elligibility first. In my case I had worked for schoalrships so hard and when I got financial aid, they just subtracted out the amount I already earned so it made no difference at all. If you are inellgible for grants, or need a full scholarship, then start looking online. They are a few good sites that have free listing according to your age, school, and studies.

[jpappy789]

FASFA isn't filed until the new year, so if scholarships have a deadline coming up that wont be an option. I second talking to your counselor as they should have a whole list of scholarships locally and nationally, at least mine did. Do it asap so you can get your rec. letters and transcripts assembled in time.

Are there any scholarships through your parents jobs or organizations someone in your family belongs to? I'm currently using a $1000, one year scholarship though my Grandma's sorority organization. Never heard of it until she asked me. With so many out there, many go unheard of and your chances of being picked increase tremendously.

At my high school there were quote a a lot of smaller scholarships sponsored by local families and such that contribute money on a yearly basis. Didn't make the cut as most had some odd restrictions that kept me from applying (ie. had to go to a certain elementary school) but a lot of random kids got anywhere from $200-2000.

[petluvr]

#1 question that will make you inelligible for FAFSA, were you born before 1986? If the answer is no, you were born after 1986 forget it. Contact this person, callihan@wtsat.com she is an ex-professor of mine she will help you. Tell her Larry Stroupe sent you ;)

[jpappy789]

#1 question that will make you inelligible for FAFSA, were you born before 1986? If the answer is no, you were born after 1986 forget it. Contact this person, callihan@wtsat.com she is an ex-professor of mine she will help you. Tell her Larry Stroupe sent you ;)

I'm confused as to what you mean here. Are you saying that anyone who was born after 1986 shouldn't bother applying with FAFSA? If that were the case, then why would thousands of 17-18 year olds about to graduate high school be filling out the forms year after year, and then accept the financial package they were offered.

At the very least you'll likely be eligible for the Stafford loan. Need-base aid is obviously based primarily on your EFC (expected family contribution).

[Lycanthropic]

try studentawards.com
You fill out a bit of info about you and they email you scholarships you are eligible for! Its awesome!

[Jakezori]

Thanks so much all!!! I will do all of the above ;)

[LeahK]

Also, contact the equivalent of the "guidance counselor" at the college you'll be attending, or search their website. The college probably has a range of scholarships, from full coverage to smaller awards. The college may also be eligible for various types of government funding for student awards. For example, there are sometimes awards given to people who study a certain language, regardless of their major. So check the web page not only of your department but of other departments, like language departments, as well.

[petluvr]

I'm confused as to what you mean here. Are you saying that anyone who was born after 1986 shouldn't bother applying with FAFSA? If that were the case, then why would thousands of 17-18 year olds about to graduate high school be filling out the forms year after year, and then accept the financial package they were offered.

At the very least you'll likely be eligible for the Stafford loan. Need-base aid is obviously based primarily on your EFC (expected family contribution).
What I mean is that this is the top question on the application and is asked about three times. I tried to help a friend of mine who is 21 to get federal aid she was rejected because of her age, I spoke with the Department of Education directly and was told that if you were born after 1986 it is the job of the your parents to educate you not the governments. Unsubsidized loans are available but as far as subsidized loans and pell grants I was told forget it.

[rainbowcharmer]

What I mean is that this is the top question on the application and is asked about three times. I tried to help a friend of mine who is 21 to get federal aid she was rejected because of her age, I spoke with the Department of Education directly and was told that if you were born after 1986 it is the job of the your parents to educate you not the governments. Unsubsidized loans are available but as far as subsidized loans and pell grants I was told forget it.

This isn't entirely how it works. When you're under 24, you have to apply for financial aid WITH your parents income considered. The only way out of that is if you're married, or you have a child of your own. I think there might be a couple other odd ways out (perhaps military??), but for MOST students, if you're under 24, your parents income must be considered for financial aid purposes.

For many students, that means that grants are pretty much out. But especially in this economy, many parents are out of work, so obviously their income (or lack thereof) will not hinder financial aid.

You have to fill out a FAFSA form to attend just about any college, unless you are paying cash. If you're going to get student loans or any other form of financial aid through the college, you must fill out the FAFSA.

Fastweb.com is another scholarship resource. You should also contact the school you plan to attend and ask if they have any scholarships or grants available, and if so find out how to apply for them. I won a $500 scholarship that way through the college that I attended for my Associates Degree program. I had to write an essay, but hey - $500 is $500, and I wasn't going to argue with the award. :)

Good luck!

[snoopy65]

http://www.collegeandfinance.com/32-weird-scholarships-almost-anyone-can-get/

http://www.nextstudent.com/directory-of-scholarships/situation/unique-scholarships.aspx

[jpappy789]

This isn't entirely how it works. When you're under 24, you have to apply for financial aid WITH your parents income considered. The only way out of that is if you're married, or you have a child of your own. I think there might be a couple other odd ways out (perhaps military??), but for MOST students, if you're under 24, your parents income must be considered for financial aid purposes.

For many students, that means that grants are pretty much out. But especially in this economy, many parents are out of work, so obviously their income (or lack thereof) will not hinder financial aid.

You have to fill out a FAFSA form to attend just about any college, unless you are paying cash. If you're going to get student loans or any other form of financial aid through the college, you must fill out the FAFSA.

Fastweb.com is another scholarship resource. You should also contact the school you plan to attend and ask if they have any scholarships or grants available, and if so find out how to apply for them. I won a $500 scholarship that way through the college that I attended for my Associates Degree program. I had to write an essay, but hey - $500 is $500, and I wasn't going to argue with the award. :)

Good luck!

:iagree:

There's no point in not filling it out. It's part of the financial package the school sends you in the spring.