Where to find scholarships for high school seniors aiming for college?

I'm a junior in high school and starting to plan for college. I'm wondering what scholarships are out there for high school seniors planning to attend college. How should I begin my search, and are there any specific ones I shouldn't miss?

Starting your scholarship search early is a great plan! There are several avenues where you can find scholarships.

Local Scholarships: Check with your high school's guidance office, which often has information readily available on scholarships offered by local organizations and businesses. Local scholarships may have less competition since they're only open to students in your community.

Colleges and Universities: The schools you're applying to can be a prime source of financial aid. Many schools offer merit-based scholarships that they automatically consider you for when you submit your application. Some schools, however, have separate applications for their larger or more selective scholarship programs. Check out each college's financial aid website for more details.

Online Platforms: You can also search various online platforms. Appily, for example, is a tool that matches students with potential scholarships based on their profile.

Large National Scholarships: Don't forget to check out some of the well-known national scholarships like the Gates Scholarship, the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship, and the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. These are highly competitive, but they offer substantial awards.

Job and Industry-Related Scholarships: If your parents' employer or union offers scholarships for children of employees or members, this could be a good source. Additionally, depending on your intended field of study, there may be industry-specific scholarships to consider.

One word of caution: Be wary of scams. Legitimate scholarships almost never charge you to apply. If they're asking for a fee, it's likely not legitimate.

Start by organizing the scholarships with their details like deadlines, requirements, and award amounts. Keeping an organized list can make the process much less overwhelming. Good luck with your search!