How can I get scholarships to pay for college?

I'm starting to think about how to finance college and scholarships seem like a great option. Any advice on how to find and apply for scholarships effectively? Are there specific resources or strategies that have worked for others?

Great thinking to consider financing college early on! Scholarships are indeed an excellent method to lower costs. Here's some advice on finding and applying for scholarships:

Your first step should be looking for scholarships offered by colleges themselves. You can find these on the 'Financial Aid' or 'Scholarships' page of the college's website. Many colleges have merit scholarships that don't require an extra application. These scholarships are offered based on the strength of your application (particularly your grades, test scores, extracurriculars, and essays) and are usually quite generous.

In addition, colleges often offer additional scholarships that require separate applications. These can be either merit-based or need-based. Be sure to look up whether the colleges on your list offer these scholarships. The due dates for these applications can be earlier than the regular college application deadline, so be sure to keep a schedule.

Next, you can consider external scholarships. Resources like your high school's guidance office, community bulletin boards, or online platforms like Appily or Scholarship.com can be useful. These external scholarships are organized by private organizations, companies, and individuals and are not linked to a specific college.

When you're applying, prioritize scholarships that fit your unique profile or experiences. These could be scholarships for students interested in a certain career field, those who've volunteered in specific ways, or those from a certain background.

Lastly, remember to apply for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each year. The FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal aid, which can include grants (which you don't have to repay), loans with low interest rates, and work-study opportunities.

Great essays can be the deciding factor for many scholarships, so take your time on these. Make your essays personal and connect the scholarship's theme to specific experiences from your life.

Keep in mind that even small scholarships can add up and ease the burdens quite a bit. Don't discard a scholarship opportunity just because the amount seems small. It's always worth applying.

Good luck, I hope this advice is helpful!