College tuition may be rising every year, but (thankfully!) so are the number of scholarships offered by businesses, colleges, and non-profit organizations. The internet has made it easier than ever to find thousands of scholarships – some of them merit-based, others catering to a specific achievement or unique life experience. You can even earn a scholarship from a business or organization with which you have no affiliation.
Websites like Scholarships.com have compiled thousands of scholarships in a categorized database. Doing a simple search on Google can also turn up countless scholarships.
There are a few things to remember when finding scholarships online:
Make sure that you meet the specific requirements for the scholarship. Many students, for example, make the mistake of filling out applications for scholarships that are only offered to residents of a certain state. Be sure to read the requirements carefully before you start working on the application.
Make sure that the scholarship is still active. The information on websites is not always necessarily up to date. If the scholarship application lists the academic year 2011-2012, for example, you may want to call and double check if the scholarship is still being offered this year.
Cast a wide net! It’s highly likely that you are eligible for more scholarships than you may realize. Did your father serve in the military? Are you passionate about studying environmental science? Are you Finnish? There are scholarships for all these things and more. There are also many scholarships based solely on geography, so make sure to investigate what may be available in your state or county.
Show your appreciation. If you earn a scholarship, do not forget to write a thank-you note to the organization! They are helping you pay for your college education; even a small acknowledgment shows them that you are grateful for their generosity.