Tips On How Where To Find Scholarships - Courtesy of NASFAA

Families often hear about the millions of scholarship dollars that go unused each year, an anecdote that has been repeated so many times that it is accepted as fact.  But many families soon realize that this pot of scholarships at the end of the rainbow is a myth:  while there are scholarships that go unused, much of the money included in that figure comes from employers' tuition remission programs.

But that doesn't mean there are not scholarships out there, and with a few simple steps you can increase your odds of obtaining scholarships.

• Consult the financial aid office - the largest amount of financial aid comes from Federal, State, and institutional grants and tuition discounts.
• Contact your Academic Department - If you have already decided on a major, your academic department may be aware of awards designated for students in your area of study.  The student aid office is not always privy to this information, so be sure to check both.
• Use a free scholarship search engine - ask the student aid office for recommendations of free scholarship search sites other students have found useful.  Online searches let you focus on scholarships that fit your personal characteristics, helping you target your search to only those scholarships for which you are most likely to qualify.  Some sites bombard users with promotional scholarships that may turn out to be advertisements in disguise, however, so make sure you know what you are signing up for when and if you give out your personal information!
• Skip the fee-paid scholarship search firms - some scholarship search firms promise that they can find you money for higher education.  Many of these are scams.  Often the funds they 'find' are those you could learn about for free through the financial aid office.
• Never assume you won't succeed - don't believe that because you don't have all A's and B's or that you can't shoot a 3-pointer, there's nothing available to you.  There are scholarships available based on hobbies, interests, background, financial need, etc.  According to FinAid.com, there's even a $1,000.00 scholarship for a left-handed student.  Seek out local and national organizations and associations in your areas of interest to see whether any scholarship opportunities exist.
• Don't be fooled by the title - the Clairol Scholarship doesn't require that you color your hair and the NFL Scholarship doesn't require you to play football.  Look at the specific eligibility criteria before ruling out a potential scholarship source.
• Look in your own backyard - clubs, organizations, religious groups, and employers sometimes offer scholarships.  Contact those that you or your family members are involved with to see if they may have a program you can apply for.
• Write the essay - no one likes to write essays, so use that fact to your advantage.  Scholarships that require essays receive fewer applicants, giving you a better chance of qualifying.  Keep copies of all the application materials you submit; often essays and other application materials can be tweaked and used again for future applications.  Be sure to thoroughly proofread before submitting the application.
• Stack up the small scholarships - studies show that families often overlook scholarships that are less than $500.00.  You may be thinking that these awards won't even make a dent in your financial needs, but adding up multiple small awards can prove to be a benefit in your financial quest.
• Apply early - the best time to apply is NOW!  Waiting too long will result in missed deadlines.  Students always ask about additional scholarships once the bill for the semester arrives and after most scholarship deadlines have passed.  If you don't receive a scholarship the first time around, don't get discouraged.  Most scholarships are not limited to freshmen; you may have better luck the following year.

Even without scholarships, families can still afford college.  Start by filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and contact your school's financial aid office to find out what Federal, State, and institutional aid you might qualify for.  Finding money for college is a lot like going to school:  The way to succeed is to do your homework!