How do I get grants/scholarships for college?

How to Get Free Grants and Scholarships for College

• Answer:

  Many students nowadays aren't only worried about getting into a top tier college, they -- along with their parents -- are worried about how they are going to pay for college. College tuition is only going up and up, and with more jobs and careers requiring some sort of college or other post-secondary education, more and more students are looking for ways to pay for tuition, room and board, food, textbooks and other expenses -- without having to take out a loan they will have to pay back for the next 30 years or more. Get on the search early, and you are sure to find some help. Difficulty: Moderate Instructions Get involved. Many high school and community clubs, organizations and groups give away scholarships to seniors who perform a certain number of hours of community service, have a financial need, fill out an application or are simply involved in a particular club. Each year, many local organizations such as Lions Clubs, Kiwanis Clubs and Rotary Clubs award top students, and other students who fill out an application, an impressive number of scholarships and grants. School clubs like the Beta Club, the Key Club and Fellowship of Christian Athletes, among others, also award students with scholarships for college use. Ask your boss. Students with a job should check with their employer to see if the company offers scholarship opportunities for employees who meet certain financial or educational requirements. Also, have your parents or other family members ask their bosses if the company they work for offers scholarships to students in the family. Check with your high school guidance counselor. He is the one who generally knows about the many local, state and national scholarships and competitions that are available to students-- many groups often send counselors opportunities first to be passed down to the students. Ask him to be on the lookout for certain types of grants and scholarships if you have a special interest. Some counselors also might have a general application that can be used for several scholarship or grant opportunities. Check with governmental agencies and local community organizations. Certain ones may sponsor students or offer scholarship opportunities for those who apply. Check with the college or university of your choice. Some post-secondary institutions offer free scholarships or grant to students with high grades or test scores, athletes and other "unique" students. Check with the college's financial aid office or admissions office for specific opportunities. Search the Web. The Web is filled with opportunities for free grants and scholarships, especially governmental awards. Check out the FastWeb, CollegeBoard, FedMoney, Students, Finaid, and FastAID websites for student aid and other grant money. Tips & Warnings Tip: Start looking for grants and scholarships in your junior year or earlier -- some groups offer scholarships to juniors or even students who are younger and plan to attend college over the next several years. Tip: Apply for any opportunity you find. Even if you aren't fully qualified, fill out an application or ask for a shot -- you may be the only one who applies for the scholarship or you may outperform another contestant. Tip: Keep your grades up and be a well-rounded student while in high school and college. Even if you don't have a financial need, you might get a scholarship for having a certain Grade Point Average, a particular amount of volunteer hours, certain test scores or for being involved in a sport or other extra curricular activity. Some scholarships and grants also require you to keep your grades up throughout college to receive the award each semester or school year; otherwise, you could loose the free money. Tip: Broaden your search beyond grants and scholarships. Look for essay contests and other competitions you may be good at to cover your educational costs. Tip: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or the FAFSA, could provide financial aid for college students, but some might have to pay it back. Warning: Watch out for scams. Never send in money, and never give out personal information to a group or person that you don't know is an official source. Warning: Make sure you know that the money you are offered is free and doesn't require you to pay it back; some grants and financial aid are only loaned to students and must be paid back, often time with interest, upon graduation or leaving college.