Private college scholarships for high school seniors?

What options exist for high school seniors seeking scholarships to attend private colleges? I'm looking into some private schools but concerned about the cost. Advice on finding these scholarships would be appreciated!

There are several ways to approach searching for scholarships to defray the costs of private colleges, so let's consider few routes:

1. Institutional scholarships: These are scholarships offered directly by the college itself. Look at each college's financial aid webpage for more information, as there may be scholarships you automatically qualify for by applying, or ones that require separate applications. Some of these may be merit-based or need-based, and could cover a significant portion of your tuition.

2. Local scholarships: Check with your school counselor or local community center about scholarships given out by local organizations. These could be small businesses, nonprofits, or other groups in your area who want to support local students seeking higher education.

3. National scholarships: There are also numerous national scholarships available, with criteria ranging from academic merit to community service to unique talents. Large companies, nonprofits, and foundations often offer these scholarships.

4. Appily Scholarship Database: Appily offers a scholarship search engine that you could use. It has extensive listings of scholarships that you can filter by eligibility requirements, including grade level, intended major, ethnicity, and more.

5. Industry/interest-specific scholarships: These are scholarships specific to your intended major or career path. Many professional organizations offer these types of scholarships to encourage people to enter their field – for instance, if you're interested in engineering, there are numerous engineering organizations that offer scholarships to prospective engineering students.

6. Employer-sponsored scholarships: If you or your parents work for a company that offers scholarships for children of employees, you could be eligible for these. It's definitely worth checking!

Remember, the key is to apply for as many scholarships as you meet the eligibility criteria for - you never know which one might end up awarding you funds for your education. And don't shy away from the smaller awards, as these can add up. Do make sure you pay close attention to the application deadlines and use your best writing skills when completing those applications. Good luck!