You like free money.
That’s because you’re smart. We like smart people.
Do you know what else we like? Scholarships.
If you’re in the midst of applying to college, then you should be researching alternative ways to get money to cover expenses other than student loans and grants.
Scholarships are the perfect opportunity to earn free cash for college. There are so many scholarships out there just waiting to get awarded!
But the best thing about scholarships? They do not need to be repaid. Although, in some cases, to get and keep a scholarship, you have to maintain a certain GPA or receive a certain SAT score. Make sure you understand the stipulations of a scholarship before signing on the dotted line.
Don’t waste any time. Read these fast facts and then start applying.
Academic & Athletic Scholarships
Scholarships are typically merit-based and distributed by colleges and universities.
You can receive a scholarship for academic, athletic, musical, or artistic achievements. Scholarships can be based on financial need, too. Check with the office of financial aid at the institution you’re applying to in order to learn more about their scholarships.
The College of Saint Rose, for instance, awards academic scholarships to first-year undergraduate students.
Before applying to colleges, look at the scholarships that are offered directly to students to see if you could qualify and save money.
Private Scholarships
Private scholarships are available through employers, nonprofits, community groups, religious groups, and social and professional organizations. There are scholarships that take into consideration other factors besides your GPA and SAT score.
If you volunteer for an organization, work at a company, are a servicemember, or anything else that you can think of, there is a scholarship for it.
Private scholarships might offer less money than academic or athletic scholarships, but it’s easier to find several private scholarships that could add up to a lot each semester!
How to Find Relevant Scholarships
Below are some online resources to use to find scholarships:
- Scholarships.com: Scholarship Finder
- FastWeb: Scholarship search database. Matches you with possible scholarships after creating a profile
- CollegeNet: Scholarship search database
Need Help Financing College?
The Financial Aid King has your back! If you are still feeling stuck, check out our other blogs on grants, loans, and scholarships to help you finance college.
