What Scholarships Are Available to Help Me Pay for College?

I'm starting the whole college process and am trying to find scholarships I can apply to. Are there certain ones that are easier or better to aim for? My goal is to get as much financial aid as possible.

It's terrific that you're planning ahead and seriously considering your financial aid strategy! This can help you significantly in reducing your future student loan burden. There are indeed many types of scholarships available across various fields and criteria. Here's a brief overview:

1. Merit-Based Scholarships: These are awarded based on academic, artistic, or athletic achievement. They range widely in amount and may come from colleges directly or from independent organizations. The requirements for these also vary significantly, so it's important to read the eligibility criteria carefully.

2. Need-Based Scholarships: These scholarships, such as the Pell Grant, take financial need into account first and foremost. For these scholarships, you'll typically need to fill out the FAFSA to gather your financial information.

3. Specific Major Scholarships: These scholarships are offered to students pursuing a specific field of study. For example, students pursuing careers in education might apply for the TEACH grant.

4. Local Scholarships: These are usually offered by local organizations, and these are often good ones to aim for as they may have fewer applicants, thereby increasing your chances of winning.

5. National Scholarships: These are available to students across the country and typically have a much larger applicant pool. However, they often offer larger award amounts.

6. Demographic-Based Scholarships: These scholarships support students from specific groups, such as ethnic minorities, women in STEM fields, first-generation college students, and others.

The key is to start your search early and apply to as many scholarships as possible, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. Remember to complete the FAFSA as some scholarships and grants may be based on the information you provide there.

As for finding these scholarships, various tools will be helpful. Appily (formerly Cappex) is one platform that provides a comprehensive database of scholarships. You can also check the financial aid pages on college websites for institutional scholarships, look into local community organizations or businesses, or even check with your school's counseling office. Remember, every dollar you win in scholarships is a dollar less you'll need to pay back in loans, so every effort can make a big difference!