7 Helpful Tips for Navigating the Scholarship Search

Finding and applying for scholarships can be a game-changer in making college affordable. But with so many scholarships available and deadlines to keep track of, it can feel overwhelming! If you're a high school student (or the parent of one), don't worry—we've got you covered. Let’s break down the steps, tools, and tips for scholarship success so you can maximize your chances of winning free money for college. And stick around till the end for info on our upcoming webinar! ??

1. Start Close to Home ??

• Local Scholarships: High schools and local community organizations are great places to start your scholarship search. Many high schools have lists of local scholarships in their guidance or counseling offices, and community organizations often offer awards specifically for students in the area. These scholarships tend to be less competitive because of their smaller applicant pool, which means your chances of winning are higher than with big national awards. Plus, being local means you’re likely to fit the criteria perfectly!
• Community Groups and Clubs: Look into organizations like the Rotary Club, Lions Club, and local chambers of commerce. Many cultural, religious, and community service organizations also offer scholarships for students in their community.
• Employers: Sometimes, parents’ workplaces offer scholarships for employees’ children. It’s worth checking if your parent’s employer has any scholarship programs. If you have a job, your own employer might also offer scholarships, so be sure to explore both options.

2. Use Online Scholarship Databases ??

Scholarship search engines are a fantastic way to find additional scholarships, especially those on a regional or national level. Here are a few popular, reliable databases:

• Fastweb: One of the largest scholarship databases out there.
• Scholarship Owl: Helps manage multiple scholarship applications.
• BigFuture Scholarship Search: Provided by the College Board, this tool helps you find scholarships that match your profile and goals.

Privacy Tip: Be mindful of privacy settings when using scholarship search engines, as some may share your information with third-party marketing firms. Adjust your preferences where possible to limit email marketing or ads.

Beware of Scams! ???Scholarship applications should always be free. Never provide sensitive information (like your Social Security number or driver's license number) unless you’re certain the scholarship provider is legitimate. If in doubt, ask your guidance counselor for a second opinion.

3. Reflect on Your Strengths and Interests ??

Many scholarships are tailored to specific interests, talents, or backgrounds. To maximize your chances, spend time identifying what makes you unique and what aligns with your interests. Are you passionate about STEM, the arts, sports, or community service? Do you have a specific career goal? Knowing this will help you find scholarships that are a great fit and allow you to highlight these qualities in your applications.

4. Set Up a Scholarship Calendar ??

Keeping track of multiple scholarship deadlines can be a challenge. Setting up a scholarship calendar helps you stay organized and ensures you don’t miss important deadlines. Here’s what to include:

• Application Deadlines: Mark these in bold! Missing a deadline means missing out on free money.
• Submission Dates: Track when you submitted each application.
• Follow-up Reminders: For scholarships that require extra materials, set reminders to submit those on time.
• Award Notifications: Keep track of dates when winners are announced, so you know when to expect decisions.

Having a calendar helps you stay on top of deadlines and makes the whole process more manageable.

5. Have Your Application Materials Ready ??

Scholarship applications often require similar documents and information, so having them ready makes it easier to apply quickly. However, tailoring your application to each scholarship’s specific criteria can make a big difference. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Personal Statement or Essay: Most scholarships require a personal essay. Write one that speaks to who you are, your goals, and what winning the scholarship would mean to you. While each application may have slightly different prompts, you can often repurpose a well-written essay to fit multiple scholarships with only a few tweaks to fit each scholarship's unique focus. Be sure to highlight qualities and achievements that match the scholarship’s criteria.
• Letters of Recommendation: Ask teachers, coaches, or mentors who know you well to write a letter of recommendation. Request these early so your recommenders have plenty of time, and if possible, ask them to emphasize qualities that align with each specific scholarship.
• Transcript and Test Scores: Some scholarships require academic records, so keep a copy on hand.

Having these essentials ready to go allows you to apply quickly while also customizing each application to show why you’re a perfect match for the scholarship.

6. Understand and Manage Scholarship Displacement ??

Scholarship displacement?is when a college reduces its financial aid offer because you received an external scholarship, potentially leaving you with less aid than expected. Here’s how it works and what you can do to manage it:

• Example: A student receives $20,000 in college aid, then wins a $5,000 external scholarship. Some colleges reduce their aid by $5,000, leaving the student’s total aid unchanged.
• Know Each School’s Policy: Look into how each college handles outside scholarships. Some won’t adjust your aid, while others may reduce certain types if you bring in additional scholarships. Knowing this upfront helps you plan and get the most out of your financial aid.
• Request a Loan-First Reduction: Some schools reduce loans or work-study before touching grants and scholarships. Politely ask if they can do this first to avoid affecting your grants.
• Coordinate with Scholarship Providers: Some scholarship providers are flexible and may offer options like disbursing funds directly to you or timing payments to avoid displacement. It’s worth asking if they can adjust the payment structure.

While dealing with scholarship displacement can be frustrating, being proactive and communicating with both your college's financial aid office and scholarship provider can help you keep your aid intact.

Tip: Check for State Policies on Scholarship Displacement???: At least six states have laws limiting or banning scholarship displacement. These states include California, Maryland, New Jersey, Minnesota, Washington, and Pennsylvania.

7. Don’t Forget Federal, State, and Institutional Aid ??

While outside scholarships can be a great supplement, federal, state, and institutional aid often make up the largest portion of your college funding. Here’s a quick rundown:

• Federal Aid: Start by filling out the FAFSA. This form is required for any type of federal financial aid, including Pell Grants, SEOG, work-study, and federal loans.
• State Aid: Many states offer additional grants and scholarships. Some states use the FAFSA to determine eligibility, while others may have their own application.
• College-Specific Aid: Many colleges have their own institutional scholarships and grants, especially for incoming freshmen. Reach out to the financial aid offices of your prospective colleges to find out what’s available.

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Combining federal, state, and institutional aid with outside scholarships can help you create a more complete financial aid package that meets your needs.

Ready to Dive In? Join Our Scholarship Webinar! ??

Want more tips, insider insights, and a chance to ask questions about scholarships? Join us next week for a live webinar on scholarships where an expert from Seeds of Fortune will share valuable insights and strategies to help students secure scholarships for college! ?? Mark your calendar for Monday, November 18th at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT—this is an event you don’t want to miss! Register here!