Guide to Applying for College Scholarships

I'm a junior trying to get ahead on college applications. Can anyone recommend a good guide or some tips on applying for college scholarships? I'm feeling overwhelmed with where to start!

I can understand how it may seem daunting, but you've already taken the first good step—starting early. Here are some pointers that might help you in your scholarship-seeking journey:

1. Know what's out there: This is the research step where you aim to familiarize yourself with the types of scholarships available. They typically fall into categories such as need-based, merit-based, skills or talent-based, or scholarships for specific demographics.

2. Use Scholarship Search Tools: Websites like College Board Scholarship Search, Fastweb, and Appily (formerly Cappex) are some reliable sources where you can filter and sort through scholarships that are most relevant to you.

3. Prepare in Advance: Gather all your necessary documents (transcripts, financial information, resume, etc.) and write up some generic essay templates that can be customized to fit a variety of scholarship application prompts. Avoid waiting until the last minute to prepare your applications.

4. Stick to the Criteria: One common mistake is applying for scholarships without fully meeting the eligibility requirements. Be sure to read the requirements carefully to avoid wasting your time on scholarships you don't qualify for.

5. Apply to Local Scholarships: Local scholarships generally have fewer applicants than national scholarships, so your chances might be good here.

6. Don't disregard smaller scholarships: Even some of the smaller scholarships ($500 - $1000) can add up and contribute towards your education costs.

7. Take Advantage of Extracurriculars: Some scholarships are specific to certain activities, community service, or even particular hobbies. Your high school counselor can often guide you to these opportunities.

8. Pay Attention to Deadlines: This seems straightforward but can be easy to let slip through the cracks when you're dealing with a large quantity of scholarships. Create a calendar or tracker to ensure you don't miss important dates.

9. Review, Review, Review: Especially when you're applying to multiple scholarships, it's important to proofread each application for any errors or misplaced information. Also, before hitting 'send', always check that you've attached all necessary documents.

10. Follow-up: After submitting your application, it's a good habit to follow up to confirm that your application has been received.

Remember, applying for scholarships can be a bit like a numbers game—the more you apply to, the higher your chances of nabbing some financial aid. Good luck!