Originally Posted on C2 education blog
Tis the season for the annual scholarship search. At C2 Education, we always advocate that students seek additional financial aid rather than meekly accepting the aid packages offered by schools – but be forewarned: Finding scholarship money may not be as straightforward as you’d think. Federal law allows colleges and universities to treat outside scholarship money as a student financial resource, so any outside aid can be used to reduce your financial need, which reduces your financial aid package. Some schools reduce your “self help” aid (loans and work study), others reduce grant money, and a few will allow you to use scholarship funds to reduce your estimated family contribution (EFC). It is important to ask your financial aid office to allow you to use these funds to reduce your EFC (your out-of-pocket expenses); if the school refuses, request that they use the scholarship funds to reduce your loans rather than your grants.
Starting a scholarship search can be daunting. After all, there are literally thousands of private scholarships available for every imaginable type of student. Because of the sheer number of scholarships out there, we can’t list them all for you – but we can help you get started.
- Start Early: The window for applying for scholarships is typically from October to February of each year, but the scholarship hunt really begins when a student starts high school – scholarships often depend on good grades and high SAT or ACT scores in addition to an essay and/or an interview. C2 Education specializes in preparing students not only for college admission, but also for the scholarship application rush. We can help students improve their grades and test scores throughout high school, and we gladly help students complete their various applications and essays.
- Don’t Forget the School: It never hurts to ask your college or university for money – the worst that they can do is say no. Often, colleges and universities have extra funds available, they just don’t advertise it. Some schools will even allow you to negotiate a better tuition rate. But if you don’t ask (often and persistently), you won’t get anything. If the school says that all funds have been allocated or refuses to offer a reduced rate, ask if there are any additional scholarships that you could apply for.
- Start Searching: The scholarship search requires initiative. No one is going to knock on your door and hand your son or daughter tuition money – you have to go looking for it. However, there are hundreds of free scholarship searches available on the web (and even more books listing every scholarship imaginable). Head for the internet and start searching – use as many free search engines as you can. For starters, trywww.finaid.org, www.fastweb.com, and the College Board scholarship search.
- The High School Guidance Counselor: Meet with your high school guidance counselor to discuss available scholarships. Most counselors keep lists of scholarship opportunities, many of which won’t show up in an online search.
- Look to Extracurricular Activities: Many extracurricular activities involve membership in an organization which offers scholarship opportunities, including the National Honors Society, Key Club, and theNational Forensics League.
- Seek Out Community Opportunities: Check with your church and other local community organizations such as the Rotary Club or the Kiwanis. Many community organizations offer scholarships, and many do not require membership to apply.
- Ask Your Employer: If your child has a part-time job, suggest that he inquire about scholarship opportunities. Many companies will offer scholarships to employees, including Burger King, Wal-Mart, Staples, andMcDonalds. Many companies also offer scholarships to children of employees, so consider asking your employer about opportunities as well!
- Figure Out What You Want to Do: For students who already have a career plan in mind, another option is to look for professional associations. There is a professional association for nearly every career option – from teachers to doctors to engineers, various professional organizations exist to not only advance the profession but also encourage students to enter that field.
When applying for scholarships, perfection is key. Be sure to read all eligibility requirements carefully; there’s no point in wasting time applying for scholarships that you aren’t eligible for! Keep a list of all deadlines as you compile all of the requested documentation. Some scholarships require transcripts, test score reports, essays, recommendation letters, or financial documentation; the application process is far easier if you prepare these in advance. Before sending off the application, be sure to proofread carefully – no one is impressed by typos. Finally, for scholarships which require essays, take the time to craft a truly insightful and well-written essay. Proofread carefully and seek input from a variety of people. When in doubt, get outside help. Ask your school’s guidance counselor or come to C2 Education for advice on applying for outside scholarships.
Many scholarship deadlines for the 2012-2013 school year have passed, but many more are still available. We’ve compiled a short list of some of the hundreds of scholarships still open:
- The National Peace Essay Contest is run by the United States Institute of Peace. Students must research and analyze a specific essay question provided by the institute. Although the questions differ from year to year, they always require a massive amount of research, so students should be prepared to dedicate a hefty chunk of time to this project. However, the payoff can be worth it: First place national winner receives $10,000, second place wins $5,000, third place wins $2,500, and the winner for each state wins $1,000.
- The Ayn Rand Institute sponsors a series of essay contests offering over $99,000 in prize money each year. One of the best known is The Fountainhead Essay Contest, which awards up to $10,000 for the first prize winner. For any of the essay contests, the student must read the appropriate book and answer one of a series of essay questions.
- The Common Knowledge Scholarship Foundation offers a unique scholarship opportunity each year – no essays required! Students take a series of online quizzes. Those with the highest scores are awarded between $250 and $1,500.
- The AXA Achievement Scholarship, a merit-based scholarship sponsored by AXA Equitable, gives out prizes of up to $25,000 each year. Scholarship winners demonstrate ambition, determination, respect for family and community, and the ability to succeed in college.
- Best Buy @15 Scholarships provide $1,000 prizes to hundreds of students. Application information is not yet available for 2012, but check back often to apply.
- The Courage to Grow Scholarship awards one $500 scholarship each month – plus, the application is ridiculously straightforward! Students must have a minimum 2.0 GPA and submit a 250 word essay explaining why they deserve to receive the scholarship.
- The Veterans of Foreign Wars’ Voice of Democracy Scholarship offers a maximum $30,000 award for the best audio essay submitted each year. The new topic for 2012-2013 will be announced in February.
- The Stephen J. Brady STOP Hunger Scholarship offers $5,000 awards. Applicants must demonstrate an on-going commitment to their community through unpaid volunteer work dedicated to helping stop hunger in the United States.
- The GE-Reagan Foundation Scholarship awards 20 $10,000 scholarships each year. These scholarships are renewable for up to 4 years, which means recipients could receive up to $40,000 in funds.
