Hey all, I'm trying to find some major scholarships for college students to apply to. I'm a junior and want to get a head start on opportunities that could help with tuition next year. Any recommendations or advice on where to start?
It's smart of you to be proactive about finding college scholarships. There are a plethora of opportunities out there, so I'll list a few of the larger or more well-known ones to get you started:
1. The Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarships: This scholarship awards 150 high school seniors each year with $20,000 scholarships. It's a pretty competitive program, so be prepared to showcase your leadership skills and community involvement.
2. Ronald McDonald House Charities Scholarships: These are offered to students in financial need who have demonstrated academic achievement and community involvement.
3. Jack Kent Cooke Foundation College Scholarship Program: One of the largest scholarship foundations in the US, offering as much as $40,000 per year. The selection criteria are academic abilities, financial need, persistence, and leadership.
4. Dell Scholars Program: This scholarship awards $20,000, a laptop, and textbook credits to low-income students who are highly motivated to succeed in college.
5. Elks National Foundation Most Valuable Student Competition: With a total of $2.44 million to give away every year, the Elks National Foundation ranks among the largest providers of scholarships in the country.
Regarding finding other scholarships, there are several scholarship databases that you can use to find more opportunities that match your academic, extracurricular, and demographic information. These include competent platforms like Appily and Fastweb.
Lastly, remember that scholarships aren't just about your grades or test scores. Many scholarships value qualities like leadership, service, and the willingness to succeed despite personal hardship. Highlight experiences that showcase these qualities in your applications. Good luck with your scholarship hunt!
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