where can i find niche scholarships with less competition?

You should check your state's website. My state (Maryland) offers a lot of grants and scholarships if you are a Maryland resident going to a Maryland college (private or public). We also have grants that are given out by our state senator and state delegate. I am sure other states have the same or similar. When you do the FAFSA, it will automatically put you for the state scholarships. You usually have to put in a separate application for the state or delegate grant. I would think most states have the same opportunities. One more thing, the earlier you apply, the better chance you have.

Though scholarships listed online will be more competitive, the small awards for niche applicants are still worth applying to. These scholarships do not entice many applicants because most people prefer to apply to larger scholarships, e.g. the hyper competitive Coca Cola Scholars Program. Additionally, they are often niche enough to exclude most of the population, creating a small applicant pool and thus higher acceptance rates.

With that said, here are some ways to find scholarships offline:

- Check local newspapers

- Take a look at the billboards in churches, laundromats, and gas stations (Sheetz often has them)

- Go to the websites of niche professional organizations and non-profits

- Look into the scholarships offered by your state and municipal governments

Hope this helps!