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Scholarship Tips & Strategies

Expert advice to help you find and secure scholarships to fund your college education.

Types of Scholarships
Understanding the different categories of scholarships available.

  • Merit-Based Scholarships

    Awarded based on academic achievement, test scores, or specific talents.

  • Need-Based Scholarships

    Awarded based on financial need as determined by the FAFSA or CSS Profile.

  • Athletic Scholarships

    Awarded to student-athletes recruited to compete at the college level.

  • Diversity Scholarships

    Awarded to students from underrepresented backgrounds or identities.

  • Major-Specific Scholarships

    Awarded to students pursuing specific fields of study.

  • Community Service Scholarships

    Awarded to students who have demonstrated commitment to volunteer work.

Where to Find Scholarships
Resources for discovering scholarship opportunities.

  • College Financial Aid Offices

    Many colleges offer institutional scholarships to admitted students.

  • High School Counseling Office

    Your counselor can provide information about local scholarships.

  • Scholarship Search Engines

    Websites like Fastweb, Scholarships.com, and College Board's Scholarship Search.

  • Community Organizations

    Local businesses, religious organizations, and civic groups often offer scholarships.

  • Professional Associations

    Organizations related to your intended career field may offer scholarships.

  • Employers

    Your parents' employers may offer scholarships for employees' children.

Scholarship Application Tips
Strategies to make your scholarship applications stand out.

Scholarship Essay Topics
Common scholarship essay prompts and how to approach them.

Personal Background and Achievements

How to approach essays about your personal story:

  • Focus on specific experiences that shaped your character or goals
  • Highlight obstacles you've overcome and what you learned
  • Connect your background to your future aspirations

Career Goals and Academic Interests

How to write about your future plans:

  • Be specific about your career goals
  • Explain what sparked your interest in your chosen field
  • Describe how the scholarship will help you achieve these goals

Community Service and Leadership

How to showcase your impact:

  • Describe specific volunteer experiences and your role
  • Quantify your impact when possible
  • Explain how these experiences influenced your personal growth

Diversity and Cultural Experiences

How to write about your unique perspective:

  • Share how your background has shaped your worldview
  • Discuss how you've contributed to diversity in your community
  • Explain how you'll bring a unique perspective to campus

Need personalized guidance with scholarship applications?

Contact Our Scholarship Experts