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Scholarships for Dummies

Scholarships for Dummies

Score a scolarship for being athletic, artistic, or wacky.

By Kathryn Knight

The economy is tanking. College tuition costs are rising. And somehow, you have to pay for college. Your only hope in paying for a higher education is with scholarships.

Being recognized as a valedictorian is totally out of the question. After taking the SAT three times, your results revealed limited improvement…and weren’t even that great to begin with. There is no need, however, to limit yourself to university-specific scholarships. Outside scholarships may seem like a far fetch…but they’re not as far as you think.

Service clubs, companies, and charities give out about $2 billion in private scholarships each year. Roughly 1 million students receive these monies—meaning 1 out of 13 students wins a scholarship. The average of these scholarships is $2,000. So are you ready to start looking?

Athletic Scholarships. Granted, this is only going to apply to a select few, but athletic scholarships don’t require a whole lot of brains. Rather, the importance lies in physical talent and drive.

Artistic Scholarships. There are plenty of art-specific scholarships available for students who do the research. Additionally, artists can use their skills to apply for non-artistic scholarships. Oftentimes, judges are looking for creatively convincing applications for “average joe” scholarships—think film, dance, song lyrics, paintings, etc.

Minority Scholarships. These scholarships are typically reserved for students from financially unprivileged backgrounds and ethnicities. Though these scholarships are not necessarily based on grades, they do require community service or athleticism—anything that sets you apart from the crowd.

Employee Scholarships. If you think your summer job is just a way to finance your love for video games or fashion, you’re wrong. Many employers, whether yours or your parents, offer scholarships to students just because of the relationship that exists between the two.

Wacky Scholarships. There are scholarships out there that are wacky enough for any high school student. Think Duck Calling and Duct Tape Prom Dresses. It just requires a little legwork in finding these scholarships. And by legwork, we mean typing “wacky scholarships” into a search engine. Was that too hard?

There is no reason that any student should pay full tuition for college. It just takes time and work to find ways to pay up. Remember, updating your FastWeb profile increases your chances of being matched with some of the types of scholarships mentioned above. So get on it!


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    NancyM475

    about 6 hours ago

    Hi Nancy Medellin I am 18 years old and will be a college freshman this fall of 2009 at California State University Los Angeles. I need money for college in order to graduate and be able to pursue my dreams and become a better person of tommorow.Thanks for your dedication and time.

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    sbhuiyan

    11 days ago

    Hi, my name is Subrina Bhuiyan and I am looking for scholarships so that I can pay for tuition and housing at the University of California, Santa Cruz. My major is bioengineering with a molecular concentration. My family isn't poor, but we struggle to pay for college. I have two sisters who are also attending Universities and it is too expenisive for all of us to attend. Financial aid wasn't any help because my family didn't qualify for grants, and loans have an 8 % interest. I did get a loan last year. Please let me know if there are any scholarships out there for me.

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    OtisY

    17 days ago

    This artical is good for touching the surface of scholarships. The Wacky addition was great too.

    My name is Otis Yawea and I'm a 22 years old Native American. I'm looking for scholarships for Computer graphics; I'm mainly looking for Game Design scholarships. I'm currently looking to head back to school. If anyone has any information about game design scholarships, you would be a great help

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    BlancaR50

    17 days ago

    Hello my name is Blanca Reyes amd I'm 18 years old, looking for scholarships so i would attentd the Academy of health care prodessions. And i will enroll this month but they told me that i can get Financial Help from the goverment, because of my status. But i really want to do something with my life, i want to set up an example from my brothers since i'm the oldest, i know is going to be a big challange from my parents. But i'm trying something to do in my own , and the only thing i can do is to look for scholarships. My parents are proud of me for finishing High School, but i want to be even more proud of me, when i see that i'm finally some body in life.
    I have faith that God is going to put some body in my life to help me archive my goal, and I declare who ever helps me God is going to bless their lifes in a supernatural way. Thank you and God bless you.

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    JONNYCAGE

    19 days ago

    HELLO TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN MY NAME IS SHAWN POOLE AND IM 26YEARS OLD LIVE WITH MY MOMS CAUSE IM SINGLE FATHER OF TWO.I HAVE RAN THE STREET AND DOWN AND KNOW GOT MY HEAD TOGETHER AND WANT TO DO THE RIGHT THING SO THE VERY BEST THING IS TO GO TO SCHOOL SO I CAN BE SOMEBODY MY KIDZ CAN LOOK UP TO I WANNA GO TO COLLAGE OF CANYONS AND TAKE WELDDING SO I CAN HAVE A TRADE SO I CAN TAKE CARE OF MY OWEN .SO THAT I CAN FEEL LIKE A BETTER MAN INSTEAD OF WORKING AT DALLOR TREE PART TIME CAUSE THAT ONLY PLACE TO HIRE U ..SO IF THEIR ANYONE OUT THEIR THAT CAN FEEL ME AND HELP DEEPLY RESPECTED THAT

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    ShantaviaR

    24 days ago

    Hi My Name is Shantavia Richardson I am a graduated senior of 2009 class at Gainesville High School. I am look for scholarships in cheerleader, or just to help pay for my tuition, books, housing, ... I have lived with my aunt since I was five days old and she take of me. She also have other children and not able to send me to college. I have been accepted at Bethune Cook-man University and looking for funds to pay for it. I really do not want to start out with loans to pay back if I can get scholarships to pay for school. Please help me find the money to go to college. Is there any scholarships to help student that's being raised by relative?

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    ReanaG2

    24 days ago

    I am a single mother. I am 36 years old and am just now working on my college education. My industry is the hardest hit by this economic downfall (real estate) and I have been struggling for the last 3 years, also partly due to major surgereries I had to undergo. I've always done it all on my own. I am of ethnic background, the only one in my family to ever graduate high school, and have an above average intellect. Why can't I find decent scholorships?? Everyone tells me I am the 'perfect candidate' for many scholorships but I have had a heck of a time locating it. I need assistance with my living expenses...any ideas I am overlooking??

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    AbdulkaderN

    24 days ago

    I have a very modest certification but a good experience in my major so I was planning for such scolarships that would be reasonable cost and in my major .
    I really in need to increase my career opportunities .
    any help will be appreciated

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    ReshmeeM

    24 days ago

    I have a full time job and a single mother who i am trying to help to take care of my other 3 siblings..... I am currently struggling to pay my college tuition. The help would be greatly appreciated.

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    KortniA3

    25 days ago

    I NEED MONEY!!! I don't care how much or who gives it to me. I have decided to go to SLCC and live at home because i got 0 scholarships, yes I did apply for a ton, and that's the cheapest option. I want to be a nurse. You'd think with the high demand someone would want to give me a scholarship...

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    ashayla101

    26 days ago

    im a single teenage mom & really hope college is still a option.. I hope this really helps

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    kwerbe

    29 days ago

    I am a mother of two that is starting this late. I am 27 years old and feel overwhelmed. I never thought college was a possibility, I am not an exceptional student and belong to no groups or clubs. I was able to get one grant but that doesn't cover much, now I fear I will not get the oppourtunity to go back to school. My only way to go to college as it stand is online, I was recently laid off and my husband just started employment, this year has been a real struggle. I have to get a degree for the sake of feeding and clothing my children which currently is a hard task.

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    RobertC1940

    29 days ago

    VictoriaP747-I have the same ?-I Lost a sibling in Service to our country-altered my entire life-!!! Hard to focus at times-any help for us out there ??????

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    JessicaM454

    29 days ago

    Lynnelle S, all you have to do is simply search athletic scholarships. A plethora of opportunities for you to get money should pop up. Also, berecruited.com is an excellent way to get money. I made an account for track and got an offer a week later, no joke. Good luck.

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    LynnelleS

    29 days ago

    I was involved in soccer for 4 years and then I went to a high school that didn't offer any sports at their school. I am being raised by a single mom who up until recently worked two jobs. I am not on a busline and don't have a car. How am I suppose to apply for scholarships for sports or community service?