How Can I Find Private College Scholarships?

I'm a high school junior starting to look for scholarships to help pay for college. I've heard that there are a lot of private college scholarships out there, but I'm not really sure how to find them or which ones might be a good fit for me. Are there specific websites or resources that are especially helpful for finding private scholarships? Also, how do I know if a scholarship is legitimate and worth applying for, and what are some tips for putting together a strong application for these types of scholarships?

When it comes to searching for private college scholarships, you have several options.

You can start by using national scholarship databases. Many students find websites like Scholarship.com, Fastweb, or Cappex helpful. You simply fill out a profile and these sites will match you to scholarships you are eligible for. Alongside this, the College Board's Scholarship Search tool can be used to explore nearly 2,300 sources of college funding.

Another approach would be using a search engine. Type in general terms such as "scholarship," along with any specific academic interests or identifying characteristics you have. For example, if you are a strong writer intending to study English, the keywords could be "English major writing scholarship."

Don't forget local scholarships! Community-based scholarships often have less competition. Check with your high school counselor's office, local businesses, community/faith-based organizations, and even your parents' employers.

To determine if a scholarship is legitimate, look for clear eligibility requirements and application procedures on the scholarship's website. Be wary of scholarships that ask for fees, guarantee awards, or ask for sensitive information like social security numbers. Legitimate scholarships are given based on merit or need, not randomly.

When applying, make sure to fulfill all the requirements and adhere strictly to the guidelines. Tailor each application instead of sending out generic responses. For the essays, discuss your passions, and goals, and how the scholarship will help you attain them. Be specific, as this makes for a memorable application.

Finally, don't forget to check the application deadlines and start early. You want enough time to create a well-rounded and persuasive application that truly represents your capabilities.

Best of luck on your scholarship quest! It's not always an easy task, but with perseverance and effort, good results will surely come your way.