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Be Smart in Finding Scholarships this Summer

Be Smart in Finding Scholarships this Summer

Scholarships aren't just for "A" students--know where to look for your scholarships.

By Kathryn Knight

So you thought that applying for colleges was the only time-consuming obligation necessary to finding the perfect school. Then you start talking finances with your parents and learn that you need more money to get to that dream school. Well, scholarship season is enough to smack you to your senses and yearn for the “early days” of the collegiate Common Application. And it’s not just the time that you lose…it’s your mind.

Little did you know that there were so many different scholarships. And little do you know about what the differences between those scholarships are…

Merit Based. Made popular by colleges. They are the scholarships you receive for achieving a certain GPA/test score combination. The higher your GPA and test scores, the more merit money. And the lower…well, you get the picture. Best part is your college application serves as your scholarship application in this case as well.

Need Based. Once your FAFSA is filed, you’ll receive a final financial aid package from the colleges you’ve narrowed it down to. You may notice, depending on how “needy” you are, that there are other scholarships listed in addition to your merit. These are need based scholarships, and are typically referred to as grants.

Other School scholarships. Yes, there is an “other” category. Oftentimes, colleges will have additional scholarships that require a bit more work—essays, interviews, etc. You can find these scholarships on school websites.

Promotional. You’ll find a lot of these scholarships on FastWeb. Companies use scholarships for marketing purposes. By generating scholarship enquiries, they are at the same time increasing awareness of their brand.

Contests. Can be promotional as well, but they typically require more than just an application or essay. Scholarship contests embody a more creative outlet in finding and securing scholarships. Contests oftentimes ask applicants for their secret talent, a homemade movie, or original song lyrics to depict their qualifications for the award. Once again, look for these types of scholarships on FastWeb.


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    Charissa88

    about 6 hours ago

    wow for a website about scholarships you would think there would be more of us finding what we need

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    cwbridges

    about 6 hours ago

    I decided to go back to school after being out for 26yrs. My major is Business and Administration with a concentration in Accounting. I am a single female and grandmother. Need help locating scholarships.

    Thanks

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    HamdiA8

    5 days ago

    Hamdi A.

    I am almost a senior in Highschool and know i have to improve with my GPA in order for me to get scholarship.

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    KarreC

    8 days ago

    I thought this site would be helpful to my grand-daughter, so I'm shareing it with her. I am taking classes to get an assoc. degree, after putting all my children through school and three through college. My grand-daughter is in college in Ga., and we are both looking for scharlships to hep us pay for our books.

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    JeffrayAnnR

    8 days ago

    I am near senior age and have returned to college to finally succeed in the BA program. Because I struggle with math, I must enroll in an extra math class this summer to get me back on track and I am seeking funding to help me pay for the extra class.

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    AnthonyB1095

    8 days ago

    To Amanda-yes it's easy for you, you are need based. When you don't get any need based money, and still owe 12,500 that has to come out of your parents pocket, then we can take it down a notch. You freebie students don't understand what middle class kids go through.

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    cataquinde

    10 days ago

    Is there scholarships for minorities??

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    nurse1976

    11 days ago

    I have a 3.75 BSN in nursing . I am appying to University of phoenix masters of nursing I have applied for fasfa but I am 55 years of age and want to see if i qualify for scholarship so I will not have so much money to pay the government back. I need help.

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    AmandaC961

    12 days ago

    Wow. I feel like a lot of the people leaving comments on here need to take it down just a bit. I applied for college as a lower middle class person, and I was able to have almost all of my expenses for college covered, which was about $40,000. However, I also graduated with a 4.5 GPA, and have worked since high school. I'll even have four jobs next semester. The FAFSA and CalGrant saved me, in addition to my school's financial aid program and private scholarships. Everyone is looking for money right now, and it can be hard, but everything will work out in the end. There's always a way to get what you need. Just keep looking! :)

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    JacksoncoleBolajiD

    16 days ago

    i need a scholarship on gadurate on finance and mangement and that can pay for my fees

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    KaylaP152

    17 days ago

    i need moneyy...ugh...
    in need of money for school..
    On my way to be a registered nurse!

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    Desire_21

    18 days ago

    scholarships for low gpa students?

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    ChristianE23

    20 days ago

    scholarshlp for foreign student

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    yankeewash72

    23 days ago

    There's another consideration: the student (like yours truly) who, some thirty years after receiving a bachelor's, is finally considering graduate school and returning to teaching, not knowing whether he/she is suited for either, or whether it's prudent to even THINK of applying for a scholarship. Any insights out there?

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    JaneW111

    24 days ago

    also, being independent doesn't just mean living away from your parents, being independent is exactly what it means.....INDEPENDENT. You don't go to your parents for money, they don't pay for your car insurance/health insurance, you pay for it on your own. Unless you were emancipated chances are .....you aren't "independent".... unless there are some special circumstance...so many people think that just because you live away from your parents...means its being independent. Independent means you pay everything yourself.... and make enough money to support yourself.