How can I get scholarships for college?

I'm a junior starting to think about college costs. What are some ways to find and secure scholarships? I want to reduce my tuition as much as possible so I won't have a ton of loans after graduation.

There's a number of strategies you can use to secure scholarships for college. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Start by searching on general scholarship websites. Appily, FastWeb and Chegg are good places to start. These sites allow you to enter your academic profile and interests in order to match you with potential scholarships.

2. Check out specific college websites as well. Many universities have separate scholarships that aren't listed on the usual sites. They may be based on academic performance, financial need, extracurricular involvement, or a combination of factors.

3. If you know what you plan to major in, look for opportunities within that field. Professional organizations often offer scholarships for students entering their industry.

4. Don't forget about local scholarships! These might come from community organizations, businesses, or your local school district. The pool of candidates tends to be smaller, increasing your chances of winning.

5. Lastly, consider your unique demographics. There are scholarships for first-generation college students, students with disabilities, students of certain ethnic backgrounds, and plenty of other specific groups.

Do note that you should never pay to apply for a scholarship or use a scholarship finders that charges a fee. There are plenty of free resources out there. And finally, apply early and often. The more applications you send, the better chance you have of securing those funds. It may seem like a lot of work, but every bit of financial aid you earn is money that you don't have to borrow and pay back later. Keep track of application deadlines and make sure to tailor each application to the specific scholarship you are applying for – a personalized application is always more successful.

Examples on how to personalize your application could be highlighting the traits or experiences you have that align with the scholarship intent. So, if a scholarship is targeting students with technological innovation, you might talk about your experience creating an app or participating in a coding competition. If it's a scholarship honoring community service, you could discuss in detail a meaningful volunteer experience and the impact it had on you and your community.

Remember to stay organized during the application process and wish you all the best!