What About Scholarships?
WHAT ABOUT SCHOLARSHIPS?
Few scholarships will find their way to students unless they look for them first. While many scholarships are available, their requirements vary greatly. Applying for scholarships takes work. Time has to be devoted to researching different kinds of scholarships. It's seldom as easy as filling out one application such as the single form many universities require for financial aid.
Scholarships are often awarded on the basis of a combination of financial need and academic merit. OTHERS ARE GRANTED FOR ACADEMIC MERIT ONLY, such as C.S.U. and U.C. scholarships which are awarded each spring to some seniors whose G.P.A. is 3.75 or above.
Not all scholarships require a straight A average. Many scholarships require a minimum G.P.A. of 3.0 and membership in service organizations or involvement in community and extra-curricular activities.
Academic and athletic departments at colleges and universities often offer scholarships. Some departmental scholarships may be available to freshmen, while others are only for continuing students majoring in particular areas. Students should contact the coach of their particular sport or the department that includes a particular major.
Be aware that the deadlines for filing scholarship applications vary. There are different cycles for applying for scholarships. Usually, however, the filing periods for most are mid-January to mid-April with awards made the following fall.
Why isn't it easier to find and apply for scholarships? Many organizations and groups are interested in students who show leadership abilities. Requesting an application, typing it instead of writing it, following directions--these efforts are often important to those awarding scholarships. They're interested in students who TAKE THE INITIATIVE AND FOLLOW THROUGH. A student can be no less industrious in seeking and applying for scholarships than he or she was in vying for the top grades that qualify a student for most scholarships.
ONE FINAL NOTE: The Internet is an invaluable resource for scholarship and financial aid information. Scholarship searches can be done with immediate results coming directly to you through email. New websites become available on a weekly basis. Those listed below are some that counselors and students have found to be useful.
The College Board -
(www.collegeboard.org) College Board Online gives students and parents informationto aid in the transition from school to college.” This site also has the “ExPAN ScholarshipSearch,” which provides free information about private scholarships. You can get information about familiar College Board tests, programs, and services. Also includes on-line registration for PROFILE.
Fast WEB (Financial Aid Search Through the Web)-
(www.fastweb.com) A free service that allows you to search a data base of more than 180,000 private sector aid sources. You are asked to enter info about yourself, and then scholarships that match your qualifications are shown. You will be sent e-mails when new scholarships for which you may be eligible become available.
The Financial Aid Information Page -
(http://www.finaid.org) This site is a comprehensive source of student aid information, offering descriptions and links to many other financial aid sites, as well as a glossary of aid terms, recommended reading, scholarship search service info, and links to university Web sites that give details on institutional aid and scholarships at specific colleges and links to at least three FREE scholarship searches.
Sallie Mae College Answer Service Online -
(www.salliemae.com) Provides easy access to an extensive array of information about planning and paying for college.
U.S. Department of Education -
(www.ed.gov/students) This site offers The Student Guide, the official handbook of federal financial aid programs, which includes procedures for filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can also link to Web sites of state education departments to find out about their aid programs.
Yahoo -
(http://www.yahoo.com/Education/Financial_Aid/) Financial Aid Search provides a long list of links to financial aid resources.
Other sites worth looking at:
California Student Aid - www.csac.ca.gov
EdFund - www.edfund.org
Mapping Your Future - www.mapping-your-future.org
United States Department of Education – www.ed.gov/index
U.S. News & World Report – www.usnews.com
Scholarships: www.scholarshipworkshop.com