The U.S. economy is, as we all know, on shaky ground. With demands so high and resources often scarce, we often find ourselves torn between the proverbial rock and hard place when it comes to decisions about the best interests of our families and ourselves. When will things begin to turn around? In the longer term, will parents have enough set ...

It sounded promising at first. The financial aid seminar that advertised a secret scoop on how to fund your education. The generous scholarship you qualified for without ever applying. But now you suspect the offers may not be legitimate. So what should you do if you think you're faced with a scam? 1. Protect your wallet. Trust your gut in these ...

Whether you dream of studying anthropology in Ghana or business in Germany, one scholarship can make it possible. Recent college graduates, graduate students and doctoral candidates with an interest in international travel and a passion for a field of study should take a look at the Fulbright Student Scholarship. Supported by the U.S. Department of State and administered by the Institute ...

Ever been in the middle of an application and thought to yourself, "What's going to happen to my information?" You might jot down your name, address, phone number, e-mail address and even your social security number without thinking about it. But with identity theft on the rise, it's important to protect and safeguard your personal information, including when you apply for ...

Wow! You just got a letter from a company saying they'll find scholarships for you. What a great deal! After all, who has time to research scholarship opportunities? But be careful — there are a lot of scholarship search scams out there. Watch for these crooked claims and make sure you're not being taken for a ride: "For a small fee, ...

Receiving a Fulbright Scholarship sure sounds impressive. If you’re a Rhodes Scholar no one would doubt your academic chops. But what exactly are they? They’re just two of several international grants and fellowships that fund a wide variety of independently-designed projects and advanced academic study abroad for recent college graduates. In other words, you could get paid to study a topic ...

Some scholarship applications bring home the bucks—but plenty of others don't. When you put these two groups of applications side by side, the differences are like night and day. What Makes a Winning Application Unsuccessful scholarship applications, more often then not, resembled a laundry list of activities, awards, and accomplishments. Although these credentials were often impressive in and of themselves, reading ...

Your scholarship application is complete. All that's left is your letter of recommendation. Your work is done, right? Actually, no. Even though you don't write the letter, you're responsible for making sure it gets written. And there's a lot you can do to ensure it's the best letter possible. Who Should Recommend You? The best recommendations come from people who ...

Applying for scholarships can be a complicated process, from gathering the paperwork, getting recommendations, writing application essays and meeting the deadline. Good letters accomplish two things: they make the process more efficient, and they display maturity and professionalism to the selection committee. Below are some essential letter tips that just might make yours the winning application. And don't forget, as more ...

You feel confident about your scholarship essay. It's a neat, well-written piece. There's a great chance you'll pass the first round and be in contention for the award. What about the second round? Now you're up against applicants who also submitted neat, well-written essays. Now the judges are pickier. These essay errors commonly knockout applicants in the second round: Vaguely Addressing ...

Knowing these warning signs can keep you from being a scholarship scam victim. 1. Fees: You shouldn't have to pay to search for or apply for scholarships. Check out the free scholarship search at FastWeb.com. 2. Credit card or bank account information needed: You should never have to give credit card or bank account information to award providers. 3. Scholarship guarantee: ...

Shaquille O'Neal earned a basketball scholarship to Louisiana State University. The 2005 Nobel Prize Winner in physics, John L. Hall, won a science scholarship to Carnegie Mellon University. But you don't have to be a basketball star or science wiz to win money for college. Scholarships designed for students with unique talents can help fund your degree.RodeoWhether you're a barrel racer ...

You may be eligible for more awards than you think. The secret is to "type" yourself. Find the maximum number of scholarship opportunities by thinking about who you are and what you do. College Major/Field of InterestIf you're in college, start with your major or academic area. Departments and schools, as well as academic and professional organizations, offer scholarships for students ...

Sometimes two is better than one. Get your friends together and learn more about scholarships that are group efforts. Scholarship competitions that allow you to work with partners can be a great way for you and your friends to earn money for college. Each person in your group contributes his or her talents and together you may win a scholarship you ...

How would you like to play your favorite sport on a college team and get financial assistance for it? You can! According to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) about $1 billion worth of scholarships are awarded to around 126,000 student-athletes every year. Getting an athletic scholarship is challenging, but you can make it easier on yourself by learning the ...

Winning scholarships is hard work, but the work doesn't end after the check is cut. Find out about the policies surrounding your award so you can keep your scholarship. Renewable Scholarships The first question you need to ask is whether or not your scholarship is renewable. Renewable awards can be extended beyond the initial award year—in some cases, for your entire ...

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. ...

A good interview is vital to your scholarship application. It's an opportunity to supplement your credentials with the kind of impression that can't be put on paper. But for most, interviews are a major source of stress. Keep the anxiety level under control by thinking ahead and following these tips from a scholarship expert. It's a Conversation To keep yourself ...

Congratulations! You've won a scholarship! You'll want to call Mom, Dad, Grandma, Cousin Bob ... and Uncle Sam. Your scholarship may count as income; if so, it will be taxed. To make sure you're ready for tax-time, find out if your award is taxable and what you need to do to file your return. Tax-free Scholarships and Fellowships A scholarship is ...

Scholarships are a valuable part of college financing. But you may be surprised to learn that scholarships may actually reduce the amount of financial aid you receive from your school. Three national scholarship experts comment on this issue. • David L. Pardieck, director of financial assistance, Bradley University • W. Scott Friedhoff, Ph.D., associate provost for enrollment management, Bradley University • ...