Scholarships >> Browse Articles >> Tips
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!

Ive
4 months ago
My name is Ive Valente,girl from AFRICA-MOZAMBIQUE.
I already started the aplication process for some universitys and colleges in USA.
I would like to graduate in Marketing or Busness administration, because ufter geting a degree i can help to develop my community.
My famly can't pay for my studys.
Please help me get a sholarship.
Thank you!
QuirozE
4 months ago
I am 18 years old, and attending my second year in college. I consider myself a hard working student. I always study for my tests, and tend to catch my mistakes after taking the test, but I always learn. I love going to school. I am undecided on my major. I have a hard time deciding to choose between, Graphic Design and Media Arts. I know I love art soo much, Its a passion, and my favorite talent. A goal in my life is to go to FIDM, and graduate with my A.A. in Professional Designation. FIDM is a very expensive school, but I am willing to work as hard as I have to, to get there. My father has everything he's worked for, and I know I can too. I also know that it doesn't have to get that hard, living in America, where students get a lot of financial help. Please help me get a scholarship. Thank you.
juboce
4 months ago
I am a single parent of three in NY, working full time and looking to advance my career, just to get by. The price of living is out of control here, no to mention it costs about $800 (not including books) just for a microbiology class, anf this is in a STATE community college. I'm supposed to take this class in September, and don't even have the money to pay for it. No wonder there are a shortage of nurses.
MiguelC25
4 months ago
Does it work? I've applyed for many scholarships and I have never won one. I've written a lot of papers and I never heared anything about them. I'm disappointed and that's why I wont appy for this one.
ErikaC49
4 months ago
Hi my name is erika i am 21. I am a single mother that had a bad experince with a dru addict i am out of that life and want a better one for my son. He made me drop out of high school when i just needed a couple more weeks to graduate. Now i went back to school to finsh it and work a full time job to give my son the best suncehe is everything for me and i know that going back to school will make me a better mom. I am going to prove to everybody that thought i wasnt going to make it with out no help but i have too this point and i'm going to be better.
GingerW8
4 months ago
My name is Ginger and I attend Barton College part-time and work full time. I have 2 years left in school. I am always entering scholarships to help me pay for school. I am single and pay everything. It does get tough. I am ready for this black cloud to leave me. I almost lost my father due to health issues. He has been hospitalized for 30 days now. My mom is having a biopsy tommorrow. I have health issues also. However, it will and is going to get better, because God supplies our needs, and we do the leg work. I might be 48 when I get my degree, but I am going to do it. I will hit the scholarship or keep plugging away one day at a time. It takes faith in God and a willingness to continue whenever the going gets tough. I hope everyone success.
MarikaD4
4 months ago
I'm really glad that a website like fastweb offers scholarships because a lot of times it may seem as if other people have the advantage, however, fastweb is for everyone no matter what grades you have, what color you are, or what school you go to. I love that!
Also I just wanted to say that even though the economy may be the way it is, Everything is going to be all right.
Keep the Faith!
CarrieAnneM
4 months ago
Hello. My name is Carrie Anne Morrison and I will be attending a Junior College this fall. My father lost his job. I have a sister that is transferring to a four year college in the fall. We both have summer jobs and my mom is working trying to help keep our family afloat. My father was not able to get unemployment or offered any severance package. I am going to try to continue to work part-time while attending school, but any help would be appreciated. Thanks for your consideration.
EdgarD57
4 months ago
Hi my name is Edgar De Los Santos im going to be attending jr college because right now i live with only one parent and dont have enough money to pay for more right now.
RiaB4
4 months ago
Hello! My name is Ria Sherrell Bennett and this year I will be a freshman at Cal State University of Northridge I'm very excited to be continuing my education. I have dreams of being an attorney in the future. I've been getting alot of practice in it with many different situations abnd I've foudn that its something that i'm very interested in. I need assistance with my tuition so im praying that all of that works out and trying to apply for as many scholarships as possible. I'm very determined so i pray that it all works out for me and others as well.
MEME2110
4 months ago
when u first read this offer the word dummy seem so extreme but when u are a struggling a student it sometimes make u feel like a dummy.
IanH243
4 months ago
This fall I'll be a freshman at Midwestern State University to major in psychology. I'm having a hard time coming up with the money. Any ideas would be appreciated.
RubyNBrown
4 months ago
My name is Ruby NL Brown. I'll be attending Capital University this fall to major in psychology and minor in physics (yeah, I know, a lot on my plate). But I'll be the first in my family to attend college and since the economy's shot, finding school money is getting harder. However, I do have a lot going for me. I can act, sing, write, am a national honor society student and can play the flute plus I'm sure there are other interesting qualities as well. I need as much assistance anyone else. Please help me out if u find something that could be of service to me. Thank you very much and I wish everyone else the best of luck with receiving their finacial aid.
beonka0506mccl
4 months ago
hello in the fall Ill be a freshmen at the University of Michigan and will be majoring in Biology.. Im going to become an OB/GYN..Which we all know that Ill be in shool for a while..any help that can be provided will be appreciated very much! Thanks :)
KraigC
4 months ago
I will be entering my junior year at Keuka College (in upstate NY) which is a private college. Just like everyone else, I am seeking some extra money to pay for school, and we all know private institutions can be pretty expensive. I just recieved my bill for this upcoming year and I am not too sure how I will be able to pay for it. My GPA is 2.9 and I am majoring in Political Science and History. Any help that can be provided would be extremly appreciated. Thank you!