What's the best strategy to find scholarships for college?

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the scholarship options out there and I'd appreciate any tips or strategies that worked for you. How can I efficiently find and apply for the best scholarships?

Narrowing down your scholarship search can indeed feel overwhelming with so many options available. A good strategy to start with is to categorize the scholarships by type to understand what you might qualify for. Financial aid usually falls into the following categories: need-based, merit-based (academic or athletic), subject-specific, demographic-specific, student-specific (for specific personal or familial circumstances), career-specific, or college-specific.

Next, take your list and prioritize by deadlines and award amounts. Make sure you are realistic about the time commitment required for each scholarship. Some might ask for an essay or a project which can take time.

Applying early and often is one key strategy. Scholarships open at various times throughout the year, so the sooner you start looking, the better. Don't discount smaller scholarship amounts as those can add up quite quickly!

Here's a quick tip: Organize your activities, awards, GPA, and other application materials in a central place. By having this information on hand, you can streamline the application process as many scholarships often require similar information.

Also, remember to leverage your school's resources. Your school counselor and career center are often equipped with information about local scholarships, which generally have fewer applicants and therefore less competition.

Want to maximize your search? There are plenty of free resources available online, such as databases and scholarship search tools on Appily or the Federal Student Aid site where you could filter based on your profile. But as you use these platforms, beware of scholarship scams. Any scholarship that requests application fees or seems too good to be true probably is.

Finally, remember to look at the scholarship offerings of the colleges you are interested in. Universities often have scholarships (merit, need, or subject-based) that they award to incoming students.

With determination and a strategic approach, the quest for scholarships will get easier over time! Keep an organized record, apply early and often, and remember, every bit helps to pay for your education. Good luck!