How to Find College Scholarships for 2024 Seniors?

I'm a rising senior, and it's time to start thinking about paying for college. What are some of the best strategies or resources for finding college scholarships that are specifically available for 2024 graduates?

There are many ways to search for scholarships for your graduating class, and it's a good strategy to use a mix of approaches. Here are some key steps you could take:

1. Local Scholarships: Don't forget to check local opportunities in your area. Many companies, nonprofits, and even your high school may offer scholarships. Start by reaching out to your guidance counselor or financial aid officer in your school, they often have a list of local scholarships.

2. National Scholarships: There are countless national scholarships that you can apply to, which are open to students all across the country. Some popular ones include the Coca-Cola scholars program, the Dell Scholars program, and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation scholarships.

3. Scholarship Search Engines: Utilize scholarship search engines to filter scholarships based on your skills, interests, and demographic information. Appily and Fastweb are popular tools that can make the process of finding scholarships simpler, and they're both free to use.

4. School-specific scholarships: Research scholarships offered directly by the universities you're applying to. Some colleges offer merit scholarships, which are often based on academic achievement. Other scholarships may be career-specific, targeting students pursuing a certain major or career path. Check each college's website or reach out to the financial aid office for details.

5. Field-specific or Career-specific Scholarships: If you already know the field you intend to study or the career path you want to follow, look for scholarships specifically tied to your interests. For example, the Society of Women Engineers offers scholarships for women pursuing engineering, while the National Press Club Scholarship for Diversity in Journalism provides financial support for students interested in journalism.

Remember, applying for scholarships requires patience and time as it can often involve writing essays or creating submissions. So, it's important to start early, stay organized with deadlines, and, most importantly, don't give up. Good luck!