Finding scholarships to cover college expenses

I'm on the hunt for scholarships and grants that can help with paying for college. Does anyone have tips on where to find scholarships that aren't super competitive or any under-the-radar options?

Response: Searching for scholarships can feel daunting, but with a few strategies, you can discover a range of awards that aren't as widely known.

1. Local Scholarships and Grants: These tend to be less competitive since they're specific to your region or community. Check with your high school guidance counselor, local businesses, civic groups or even your parents' places of work. Don't overlook these: even smaller awards can add up.

2. Specialized Scholarships: Some scholarships are dedicated to applicants with distinct qualities or interests. These may relate to ethnic or cultural background, field of study, extracurricular activities, or volunteership. Websites like FastWeb and Appily allow you to create a profile and match you with scholarships that align with your specific attributes.

3. Financial Aid from Colleges: Many schools offer their own scholarships to admitted students, some of which are based on need, others on merit. Be sure to understand each college's scholarship application process while you're applying for admissions.

4. Employer or Industry Scholarships: Certain industries or companies offer scholarships for students pursuing a field related to their business. If you have a clear idea of your intended major, these scholarships could be less competitive.

5. Social Media Platforms: Websites like Scholly and social media channels dedicated to scholarships often post about less well-known awards.

6. Checking with Your Future College Department: If you have a certain major in mind, it wouldn't hurt to check with your future college's department head or advisor. Often, they have knowledge of scholarships specific to your field of study.

Apply for as many scholarships as you are eligible for - each one, no matter how small, will help reduce your out-of-pocket college expenses. Remember, finding these awards will require some time and effort, but the payoff can be substantial. Good luck on your search!