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Scholarships for Dummies: Common Sense Places to Look for Scholarships
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!

tammyvent
4 days ago
Hi I am disabled But I hate just staying at home, so I started online college online thru Everest. I need Some help with financial aid. Could someone please help me? I need it very bad, I need to know where to go for special aid for the disabled. Thank you
brenjcks
9 days ago
are there any scholarship for any person having asthma or any other related problems?
angelbrockington
about 1 month ago
im a single parent of 5 beautiful children. 4 of them are adults and 1 still at home.Im not very knowledgeable on the internet or searching for scholarships, and I can use all the help I can get.Im interested in going to school at the cooking and hospitallity institute of chicago, and I need help with funding.Any thing you can help me with would be very much apreciated. Thanks.
toddandtoby
2 months ago
Thank you for your time and the opportunity to share my thoughts with all of you. I appreciate you immensely.
My name is Pecola Colby. I am a second year student with South Puget Sound Community College in Olympia, Washington beginning September 21, 2009. I will have my Associate of Arts Degree completed the Fall 2010. From there I plan to transfer to the University of Washington - Tacoma to pursuit a Doctorate Degree in Social Work.
As a single/divorced, head of household, African American woman at sixty-four years old, I am testimony to the challenges and yes resilience related to me being socioeconomically and ethnically challenged when comparing me to the dominant culture. My observation and/or perception with social services programs is that of a system at times, lacks fairness, responsiveness and accountability to some of the families they serve. I believe it is imperative that social workers remain accessible to families for support, to establish at all costs, courtesy with integrity and respect for all people regardless of race or culture. Trust is essential and this is one way to build trust. Further, it is necessary to take appropriate and necessary steps to become as proficient as possible on cultural beliefs with protocol, respect, sensitivity and with care, to regognize cultural barriers, to embrace cultural differences and to learn how best to develop the relationship in order to provide the best possible service care.
My interest and passion then and now is to obtain a Doctorate Degree in Social Work. My heart's desire is to become a Social Worker because I am caring, compassionate, sensitive, and believe all families/people are significant, their voices count and should be heard. Further, obtaining an advance degree will allow me to have opportunities to embrace all families and cultures including attending to their needs and providing multiple levels for services with care. I envision my role as a Social Worker to be a voice for families as they journey through various programs for services and resources in order that they receive the very best with care. I will ensure families are not allowed to wander simply because they have come to believe no one cares about them or their well being. As a Social Worker, I will serve as an Advocate for families when necessary to ensure they receive the services and programs best for them. I will work with families to mobilize formal and informal resources; to support family development and to make certain families are on solid ground; to allow for flexibility; and to recognize emerging family needs and community issues.
I began my educational pursuit with Fort Steilacoom Community College, now Pierce College in 1981-1982. It was an honor and privilege to begin my educational journey with Fort Steilacoom Community College. The instructors were personal, engaging and worked as closely as necessary with students to ensure successes in the classrooms. However, without family support, eventually I became overwhelmed in my attempt to carry alone all the family and household responsibilities and I had to place my educational dream pursuit on hold until NOW. At this time in my life, however, there are no obstacles to deter or distract me from achieving a Doctorate Degree in Social Work. My vision is clear. I am determined to succeed AND I know I will be an asset as a Social Worker to any organization or organized structural body.
From May 2004 to July 2008 I was employed with the Family Support Center in Olympia, Washington. I served as the Family Resource Specialist and assisted in meeting the needs of low income families. My responsibilities were to work with families and support them in identifying and prioritizing their needs. I helped them identify the most appropriate resources to meet those needs and empowered them to follow through in accessing those resources. I also served as an advocate for families when necessary and worked with case managers from other agencies to ensure a complete network of services.
My volunteerism also demonstrates my commitment to families and communities. I serve as a Volunteer with my church, New Life Baptist Church, Lacey, Washington in many roles and functions. I have successfully brought for five years and with the assistance and support of a cadre of medical and non-medical volunteers multiple services and programs to the immediate and surrounding communities in Thurston County, e.g. The Smilemobile, a mobile dental unit for children from low-income families and ages fifteen years old and younger, a "FREE" Back to School Physical Examination Day, Health Fairs; Walk-a-Thons, etc. I served as Chair-person for the Unity for Excellence Tutorial Program. I also serve as Chair-person for the Senior Adult Ministry. I am an Usher.
My efforts were recognized in the community. In April 2004, I received the Making a Difference In The Life Of A Child Award from Thurston County and in June 2004, I received the Unique Achievement Award from the Thurston County Council on Cultural Diversity.
Again thank you for your time. It has been my privilege to share my thoughts with all of you. Please contact me if further assistance is necessary for clarification. Further, please note any amount of financial support is most appreciative.
Please contace me at: 9225 Windsor Ln., NE
Apt E-103
Olympia, WA 98516
OR my email address is: pediandsons@comcast.net
Respectfully,
Pecola Colby
mackedeli
2 months ago
My Grandson Jacob has always been an A STUDENT HIS MOTHER AND FATHER ARE BOTH ON DISABLE WITH NOT MUCH INCOME jACOB HAS 2 BROTHERS AND ONE SISTER SO THE FUNDS ARE LIMITED ANY HELP IN HELPING HIM FIND SCHOLARSHIPS WOULD BE APPERICATED
WendyT11
3 months ago
wow
JasmineG680
3 months ago
A lot of the alumni leaders at College Summit recommended me to look for scholarships locally. That means go to your bank, target, etc. See if they have any scholarships. There are two types of scholarships available to students: the first goes directly to your home (for you) and the second goes to the school, where they take whatever money you owe and then give the rest back to you for your own expenditures.
AnastaciaL7
3 months ago
hi,my name is anna and i come from kenya.i am looking for a scholarship to do my MBA because i really cannot afford it.i have no job and my mum is retired.please fastweb,help me get a scholarship.pleeeeeeease.
LabanM2
3 months ago
I am a astudent in Uganda offering MBChB (medine&surgery) in need of scholarship.iam called Munakenya Laban.
cano1234pr
3 months ago
My name is Michael L.Turell I am entering a senior in Howell Cheney Technical High Skool I finishing my last year of high skool.I want to go to JWU and study business mangernment for next fall.I trying to get Scholarships to pay my full tuition for college and etc.I am ready 2 go 2 college next summer.I need 2 get full scholarships.I been involved in clubs,organization,community services,best work experience.I need money for college.ASAP.
AzeezS3
3 months ago
no comment
JoshuaC870
3 months ago
I am 49 years old and returning to school. I quit work last year to accomplish the dream of obtaining a formal education. It is an honor to meet young people who have the drive, ambition, and desire to do what I was not ready for when I left high school - I was not ready for college. I started to work immediately and through favorable circumstances ended up as an assistant trader at a San Francisco brokerage firm. I decided to return to school because I kept hearing "Josh if you only had that degree we could bump you up to the next level." Now that I've returned, I see how expensive and how difficult it is to cover the cost of books and tuition. left San Francisco and moved in with my grandmother in Texas to cut costs and to help take care of her with things she can't do around the house, drive her to appointments, and take her to the market. I study hard and carry a 4.0 - I can only hope to win a scholarship. I've applied to so many and get a bit discouraged at times because they seem to be geared to people who join clubs and do volunteer work. I don't knock this, but I don't have time to be in a club or volunteer. I study and make sure things run as smoothly as possible for my 88 year old grandmother. It's discouraging at times, but I will not give up. I'm going for a Masters in Accountancy and can only pray that I land a scholarship. Good luck to everyone else. The comments I've read are very touching and it's too bad education is becoming a scarce commodity.
mpixlee
3 months ago
I was a top student in high school. I recieved academic scholarships to attend the university of my choice. They helped, but after my first year my college fund was wiped out. I also discovered that high school did not prepare me for college and my grades were lower than I had hoped in part because of the part time job I had to have to support myself. My parents supposedly make too much money for me to qualify for financial aid--which isn't that much! I don't know how they calculate this. I work hard, but I need help!
MeghanK21
3 months ago
I agree with what some people have been saying, its so hard to actually get scholarships. Especially when finicial aid isn't within your reach. My parents make enough not to qualify for finicial aid however that doesnt really apply since my brother is really sick and alot of their income goes to his medical bills and it cant go to my education. I wish I could find a scholarship or grant that understood this...?
JessicaB5634
3 months ago
my name is jessica and i recently found out that my financial aid has been denied and without money my college education could come to a hault. with not much time during the day to even have a job because im currently helping support and help take care of my 4 year old niece, my mom works long hours and i am overly frustrated with the financial aid system. seems to me that you have to extremely poor in order to recieve help when the truth is everyone needs help.