Exploring Outside Scholarships for College

I've heard about outside scholarships, but I'm a bit confused about where to find them or how they work. Can anyone share examples of outside scholarships or strategies on how and where to apply?

Sure thing! Outside scholarships, also known as private scholarships, come from entities such as foundations, non-profit organizations, corporations, and community groups, among others.

Strategy-wise, you should approach these scholarships like a part-time job—invest effort and time, but make sure it’s a manageable amount. It can help to categorize your search into various areas such as academic accomplishments, extracurricular involvement, work experience, your background, and more. Here are a few strategies:

1. Tailor your applications: Make sure your applications are specific and tailored towards each scholarship's unique criteria. This increases your chances of standing out amongst the pool of candidates.

2. Local Scholarships: Look for opportunities within your own community. Due to a more localized applicant pool, these scholarships may be less competitive.

3. Ask around: Speak to your high school counselor, look at scholarship bulletin boards at your school, or consult college financial aid offices to find scholarship opportunities.

For outside scholarship examples:

1. Coca-Cola Scholars Program: This scholarship awards 150 high school seniors with a $20,000 scholarship each year. Recipients are selected based on their capacity to lead and commitment to making a significant impact on their schools and communities.

2. Ronald McDonald House Charities Scholarships: The RMHC offers four different scholarships to students in financial need who have demonstrated academic achievement, leadership, and community involvement.

3. Foot Locker Scholar Athletes Program: Each year this program awards $20,000 to 20 high school athletes for their athletic performance, leadership skills, and academic excellence.

Remember, there are plenty of scholarships available—large and small. While larger scholarships may seem more appealing, smaller ones can add up and are often less competitive. Also, be wary of scholarship scams. Legitimate scholarships will not ask for a fee to apply or guarantee that you’ll win before you've submitted your application.

Good luck on your scholarship hunt!