Tips and Tricks

1. Check out scholarship search engines. Remember, you should never pay to apply for a scholarship or give out your social security information or banking information. If a website is asking for this information or is asking you to pay money, it is a scam. Most scholarships will only ask for general information such as name, age, address, phone number, high school, etc. 

2. You can find many scholarships based on your personal traits, hobbies, or planned major. Try googling “scholarships for…” and list any of those options. You can use almost any personal trait or hobby. 

3. Just ask! Many places might be willing to help support your college goals if you show the initiative. Try asking or writing letters to your church, local clubs (such as the local rotary club, ELKS club, Kiwanis club), and even local businesses. Business owners are often very impressed when students show this kind of effort and may be very happy to help you attend college. 

4. Look up scholarships that are offered by larger companies and corporations as well (Taco Bell, Sallie Mae, Earnest, Denny's, etc.).

5. You will most likely apply for several more scholarships than you actually get. Please don’t let this discourage you! The more scholarships that you apply for, the more likely you are to get money for college. Remember, the more effort that you put into your search and applications, the more likely you are to get scholarships.