Tips for Finding Scholarships that are Easy to Apply For?

I'm a busy junior trying to find scholarships that don't require a ton of time to apply for. Any suggestions for scholarships that are relatively easy or have simple applications? I'd love to make things a bit easier for myself. Thanks!

First off, kudos to you for being proactive in your scholarship search. It's great to lessen the financial burden that often comes with college education.

A good starting point would be your school's guidance or counseling office - they usually have lists of both local and national scholarships. Local scholarships tend to be less competitive as they're typically available only to students in your area. These are generally easier to apply for and should take less time than larger, national scholarships.

In terms of national scholarships, you might consider "No Essay" scholarships, which literally don't require an essay. One such scholarship is the $2,000 "No Essay" College Scholarship by Niche. It’s a monthly sweeping draw for which you just have to sign up on their website. Appily also maintains lists of easy scholarships that are updated regularly. I'd caution you though: as these scholarships require minimal effort, they tend to be super competitive.

For scholarships that are merit-based, your chances of winning increase if you find opportunities that align with your strengths and interests. For example, if you're into web designing, there are scholarships like the Gallery Collection Design Scholarship, which just require you to design a greeting card.

Also, keep an eye out for scholarships from local businesses, community organizations, and local chapters of national organizations like Rotary Club or Elks Club. These scholarships often don't receive as many applications, making your chances for winning better.

Don’t overlook small scholarships either. It may seem that scholarships for $500 or less aren’t worth it, but those smaller amounts can add up if you are diligent and proactive.

Remember that ultimately, you're playing a numbers game - the more scholarships you apply for, the higher your chances of securing aid. Good luck!