In Step 1 we explained that your prospective colleges are the first place to look for scholarships… but where is the rest of the money hidden? It’s actually not hidden…you just need to know where to look for it.

Besides Colleges, Who Offers Scholarships?

Many organizations and businesses offer scholarships for bachelors or advanced degree seekers. These awards may be for little or large amounts, short or long time periods, and have general or specific requirements for applicants.

For your scholarship search, be sure to consider and research the following organizations in your local area, as well as those that are nationally known:

• Religious organizations

• Social/community clubs & organizations

• Service organizations (Rotary, Elks, etc.)

• Your employer or parent’s employer (employee-based awards)

• Scholarship-focused nonprofits

• Large corporations (Pepsi, Xerox, etc.)

• Foundations (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, etc.)

• Unions

• Advocacy & political organizations

• Professional associations

• Pageants

Should I Bother Applying if I Wasn’t an “A” Student?

Scholarship criteria vary widely. Some scholarships are earmarked for students pursuing specific careers; others may be regional, designated for applicants from a particular state or county. Typically, organizations and schools may offer scholarships to students who meet a set of criteria, which could include:

• Demonstrated commitment to community service or volunteer work

• Commitment to pursue a valued career, academic, or research interest

• Learning or physical disabilities

• Demonstrated commitment to fine arts or performing arts

• Demonstrated athletic achievement & talent

• Economic need

• Students are from an underrepresented ethnic minority group

• Student is a gender minority in their field of interest (ex: male nurses)

• Birthplace (awards for students from a particular city, state, or country)

• Student is the first to go to college in their family

• Contests / essay contests winners

• Going back to school; single parent status

• High academic achievement

• High standardized test scores

A good strategy is to determine the types of scholarships you may be eligible for and search specifically for those.
Which area(s) might you qualify under?

Search for degree programs using the top right yellow box

Step 3: Apply for Lots of Scholarships – Don’t Be Shy