As a high school junior, I'm starting to freak out about paying for college. I'm looking for recommendations on where to find and apply for scholarships. Any websites or organizations that are particularly helpful?
There are numerous resources to discover college scholarships, which can significantly defray the costs of tuition. Here are a few recommendations:
1. College Board Scholarship Search: This tool provides access to scholarships, financial aid, and internships totaling nearly $6 billion.
2. Fastweb: This website offers a searchable scholarship database of more than 1.5 million scholarships worth over $3.4 billion.
3. Appily: Appily provides a customized scholarship list based on your personal details and academic achievements.
4. Chegg Scholarships: On this platform, you can perform customized searches based on your grade level, GPA, interests, and other criteria.
5. Local community and organizations: While many scholarships are national, don't discount scholarships offered by local businesses, community foundations, and civic organizations in your hometown. They generally have a smaller pool of applicants, which might increase your chances.
6. Your school's financial aid office: Often overlooked, but they tend to have a solid grasp of scholarships unique to your school or department.
7. Federal Student Aid: It's important to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Your Student Aid Index (SAI) calculated as a result can make you eligible for federal grants, loans, work-study funds, and some school-based aid.
It can be a time-consuming process to locate and apply for scholarships, but remember that this is an investment in your future. Every little bit counts in reducing your college costs and potential student loan debts. Good luck!
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