Ways to Search for Private College Scholarships?

I'd like to find more scholarships that aren't directly offered by colleges, maybe from private organizations. Can anyone recommend how to search for private college scholarships and any efficient strategies to find them?

Absolutely, there are numerous ways you can search for private college scholarships. Here are some strategies:

1. Appily: Formerly referred to as Cappex, Appily is a database containing thousands of scholarships offered by private organizations. You can filter by criteria such as your interests, academic field, or extracurricular activities to narrow down the scholarships that fit your profile.

2. Local Community or Civic Groups: Many local businesses, churches, and civic organizations, such as the Rotary Club or Chamber of Commerce, offer scholarships for local students. Check with these organizations and ask your high school guidance counselor for information on local scholarships.

3. Your employer or your parents' employers: Some companies offer scholarships for their employees’ children. Check to see if these are offered and if you meet the qualifications.

4. Professional Organizations: These organizations related to your field of interest can be a great source of scholarships. For example, the American Psychological Association offers scholarships for students pursuing degrees in psychology.

5. Targeted Online Searches: Use internet search engines to your advantage. If you're going into nursing, search for "nursing scholarships". If you're a first-generation college student, try "first-generation student scholarships".

6. Financial Aid Offices of colleges: Although these scholarships are technically from the colleges themselves, financial aid offices often have information on external, private scholarships that previous students have received.

Remember that smaller, less-publicized scholarships can be less competitive but can add up. And be careful to avoid scams - legitimate scholarships should not require payment to apply. Lastly, organize your search with a spreadsheet to keep track of deadlines and requirements, and begin your search early to maximize your opportunities.