College is expensive, so it is worth taking the time to look for scholarship opportunities. While the best aid comes from the college you attend, a second option is looking for outside scholarships.
Local Scholarships: Local scholarships are easier to win because the applicant pool is smaller. Often city organizations will offer scholarships to residents. Search local community organizations and city websites. For example, Kiwanis, Soroptimist, Elks Lodge, or your local newspaper.
National Scholarships: Use websites such as JLV College Counseling, which tracks awards by deadline and places opportunities in multiple categories. Other scholarship websites might be a way to filter scholarships, but it is wise to create an email address just for scholarship searches.
Searching for Scholarships: Try some interesting search terms like weird scholarships or unusual scholarships. You can use specific terms such as disability scholarship, ADHD, autism, or bipolar disorder and schizophrenia to find a variety of scholarships online. If you are from a low-income family, check out the scholarships listed here. First-generation and underrepresented students should check out College Greenlight.
Full-Ride Scholarships: If you are looking for large scholarships, start early as most are very competitive and often have several rounds of applications. For most, you must start the process in your junior year. These scholarships are extremely competitive and include:
- Questbridge for very high-achieving, low-income learners.
- Coolidge is open to all.
- Coca-Cola Scholarship for very high-achieving learners who show excellent leadership and service in their communities.
- The Gates Scholarship for underrepresented, low-income learners.
- Jack Kent Cooke for high-achieving learners with financial need.
If you would like to discuss searching for colleges with financial aid in mind, please reach out to Laura Kazan who can help you sort through the process. Happy scholarship hunting!