May 12th, 2008|
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Absolutely Scholarships - A scholarship search engine with over 200,000 scholarships in their database. This site is in conjunction with eStudentLoans.com, so you can use the same userid and password. If you don't have one, you can register for one.
American Educational Guidance Center - This site offers free scholarship and financial aid searches along with e-mail addresses etc. of colleges across the country.
Embark - Use this service to search for scholarships. Users must sign up for a free user id.
FastAid - Is a free scholarship search service to students and families.
FastWeb: Free Scholarship and College Searches, and Financial Aid Tools - Provides free scholarship searches and will keep updating you on new scholarships from the profile you create.
Financial Aid Information (FinAid.com) - Provides information on loans and similar support for college.
Free Application For Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - The federal government has provided a way to complete and submit the Free Application For federal Student Aid (FAFSA) over the internet.
FreSch! - Get a free scholarship list from searching the database.
GoCollege Scholarship Search - Get a free scholarship search and if you are interested in student loans, you can have a lender contact you about loan programs. You are under no obligation to take a loan from any lender that contacts you from the site.
GrantsNet Search - Search funding opportunities in the biological and medical sciences. Requires free registration.
Scholarship and Grant Guide:
The Scholarship Guide, - A free scholarship search for students in the Pacific Northwest.
Scholarship News - Search for scholarships according to major, religious/ethnic affiliations, athletic, and fraternity/sorority. Can also sign up for a free newsletter to receive updates.
Scholarstuff.com - This website not only links you to the websites and admissions e-mail addresses of hundreds of colleges and universities, but also links you to helpful financial aid, test preparation, travel, and other college related services.
Student Financial Aid Services-SFAS - SFAS will help you complete your FASFA application. This site also provides extensive information on financing college.
US News Online - A free scholarship search by US News and World Report. You can search by category, by name of scholarships or do a personalized search.
Wired Scholar - A free scholarship database sponsored by Sallie Mae.
Canadian Scholarship Aid GraduateAid.com - GraduateAid.com is one of Canada's largest free scholarship databases containing over 9,000 scholarships, worth over $57 million dollars.
Student Awards - Free Scholarship Search for Canadian Students Database of scholarships, grants, bursaries, and fellowships for Canadian students. Site is bilingual (French and English) for your convienence.
University of Guelph - Various scholarship, bursary, and fellowship opportunities for Canadian graduate students. Some are specifically for students at this University, others are available for graduate students at any Canadian institution.
TOP TEN SCHOLARSHIP TIPS Tip 1: Give concrete examples.
- If your answer to an essay question is abstract, support it with a concrete example that illustrates your point. The scholarship sponsor wants to see evidence that you satisfy their criteria, not just unsupported statements.
Tip 2: Apply only if you are eligible.
- Read all the scholarship requirements and directions carefully, and make sure that you are eligible before you send in your application. Your application will not be considered if you aren't qualified to apply.
Tip 3: Identify the sponsor's goals.
- Try to understand the sponsor's motivation in offering the award. Do they want to promote interest in their field? Do they want to identify promising future researchers and business leaders? If you can identify their goals, you can direct your application toward satisfying those goals, increasing yourchances of winning the award.
Tip 4: Complete the application in full and follow directions.
- Many students fail to follow directions. You can give yourself a competitive advantage by reading the directions carefully.
- Provide everything that is required. But don't supply things that aren't requested. You won't impress and you might be disqualified.
- Be sure to complete the entire application. If a question doesn't apply, note that on the application. Don't just leave it blank.
Tip 5: Neatness counts.
- Make several photocopies of all the forms you receive. Use the copies as working drafts as you develop your application packet.
- It's always best to type the application. If you must print, do so neatly and legibly.
- Proofread the entire application carefully. Nothing is less impressive than an application with misspelled words or grammar errors. Ask a friend, teacher or parent to proofread it as well.
Tip 6: Write an accomplishments resume.
- Compile a list of all your accomplishments. This will help you identify your strengths and prepare a better application.
- Give a copy of the resume to the people who are writing letters of recommendation for you. They will be able to work some of the tidbits into their letters, making it seem like they know you better.
Tip 7: Watch all deadlines.
- Impose a deadline for yourself that is at least two weeks before the stated deadline. Use this 'buffer time' to proofread your application before you send it off.
- YOU are responsible for making sure all parts of the application arrive on time. This includes supporting materials, such as letters of recommendation and transcripts. So make sure everyone who is contributing to your application has ample lead-time.
- If worse comes to worst, call the scholarship provider in advance and ask if it's possible to receive an extension. Don't just send the materials in late; many committees will refuse late applications. But don't rely on extensions - very few scholarship providers allow them at all.
Tip 8: Take steps to make sure your application gets where it needs to go.
- Before sending the application, make a copy of the entire packet and keep it on file. If your application goes astray, you can always reproduce it quickly.
- Make sure your name (and social security number, if applicable) appears on all pages of the application. Pieces of your application may get lost unless they are clearly identified.
Tip 9: Ask for help if you need it.
- If you have problems with the application, do not hesitate to call the sponsor. They will usually be glad to give you help. But don't expect them to do the work for you. Completing the application is your job.
Tip 10: Remember - your scholarship application represents YOU!
- Your ability to submit a neat, timely, complete application reflects on you. It's the face you present to the sponsoring organization. Take pride in yourself by submitting the best application you can.
Source: FinAid "Top Ten Scholarship Tips".
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