The scholarship searchbris a significant undertaking; it's not something you can accomplish on abrSaturday afternoon. Though applications and requirements may vary from year tobryear, it's never too early to begin.
Here are five thingsbryou can do to jumpstart your search and yield strong results:
Check Your Prospective Schools
Go to their website orbrcall the financial aid office. If you meet the qualifications, find out how tobrapply. Don't assume that by applying for admission, you're applying forbrscholarships. It's often a separate process. Be aware that scholarshipbrdeadlines can be different from those set for the admissions application. Inbrfact, some schools ask you to submit an application for scholarships prior tobryour application for admissions.
Inquire With Your Academic Advisor
If you are currently abrstudent, you likely have access to an advisor or counselor. Take advantage! Hebror she may know about a scholarship that's a good fit for you. If there is abrdedicated office for students heading to college or graduate school, find outbrwhat services they offer their students.
Research Local Community Groups
Do you belong to abrchurch group or a local chapter of some national club? Are either of yourbrparents a member of a union? Does either of them work for a large corporation?brMany of these organizations offer scholarships to members and their children.
Try Online
When using a searchbrengine, we recommend you refine your search. Simply typing inbr"scholarships" will yield thousands upon thousands of hits. Usebrqualifiers such as specific schools and programs of study to help narrow thebrfield.
A word of caution: Youbrshould never pay money to investigate scholarships.brScholarship providers don't offer their awards to students who pay to findbrthem; they offer them to all students.
Be Keenly Aware of Deadlines
Deadlines vary bybrscholarship; some are the summer before your senior year, others in the fall orbras late as spring. To stay organized and keep track of due dates, we recommendbrkeeping a calendar, and making your earliest deadline the deadline for all ofbryour applications. Finally (and this cannot be stressed enough), do not missbryour deadlines. You'll have no recourse if your application arrives late, andbryou will have zero chance of receiving that award.
A final word: You maybrreview 100 scholarships before you find one that applies to you. Be patient andbrstay the course. Eventually you'll uncover a good match. And you'll appreciatebrall your research when you secure some funds!
About The Princeton Review
The Princeton Reviewbris a leading test preparation and college admission services company. Everybryear it helps millions of students achieve their education and career goalsbrthrough its test preparation, tutoring, and admissions services, its onlinebrresources, and its more than 150 print and digital books published by RandombrHouse LLC. The Company also partners directly with school districts andbrnon-governmental organizations to provide students with college readinessbrservices including college selection, test preparation, financial aid advice,brand admissions support. For more information, visit www.princetonreview.com and www.facebook.com\ThePrincetonReviewReview. Follow the Company's Twitter feed @ThePrincetonRev.