myUsearch blog

Scholarships are the ideal form of financial aid…money you don’t have to pay back! For me, they were the only way I could attend the majority of the schools I applied for without going into major debt. Everyone told me the money was out there, I just had to find it. I applied for over 35 national, local and college-specific scholarships. I ended up getting three.

Ok, that isn’t said to completely discourage you from applying for any scholarships. Truth is, lots of money is available in scholarships, but the process of getting them is a lot like a game. A few people win, and many others lose. Here are a few strategies I learned from searching and applying for scholarships: 

1. Think Global: Lots of corporations (think Target or CitiBank) offer several student scholarships. The advantage? A big payday. The downside? Specific requirements and fierce competition. Don’t let that scare you. They are always worth applying for, even if the only thing you end up with is experience. Try the book Get Free Cash For College by Gen and Kelly Tanabe for more ideas. 
2. Act Local: Ever heard the analogy of a big fish in a small pond? Take advantage of its truth. Local scholarships may not offer as much money as their national counterparts, but the competition level will also be reduced. Many high school organizations and clubs (like DECA or PTCO) offer student scholarships. Check with your high school counselor, the public library and scan your local paper. On the Web, visit www.local.com and enter “Scholarship” along with your city in the search bar to find local scholarship resources online. 
3. Start Early: Scholarship deadlines usually fall after January 1, but can really vary. Some scholarships have different stages in the process, and those can have much earlier due dates (think October or November). Begin your scholarship search as soon as you can.  
4. Get the Word Out: For me, the money rolled in from the most unexpected places. Let people know you’re scholarship hunting. Your dad’s company might have one you could apply for, or a teacher may nominate you for a specific school grant. You never know who may offer a scholarship that could be yours!  Finally, don’t get discouraged. If you never apply, you’ll never know!  
5. Surf the Net: There are several scholarship search sites, read this post for tips in finding the best ones.
6. Apply for myUsearch Scholarships: We currently have two scholarships available, but have received very few applicants.