Free Scholarships for Minorities

Are you a minority student looking for extra financial support? Here are some free scholarships for minorities to consider.

Hispanic College Fund

www.hispanicfund.org

The Hispanic College Fund is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing the next generation of Hispanic professionals.  This fund provides Hispanic high school and college students with the vision, resources and mentorship needed to become community leaders and achieve successful careers in business, healthcare, science, technology, engineering and math. In addition, the HCF offers programs to connect scholars with Hispanic professionals to prepare them for success. Programs like the College and Career Institute free scholarship pays $500-$10,000 for qualifying students. For this and otherscholarships, visit www.scholarships.hispanicfund.org

LULAC National Scholarship Funds

www.lnesc.org

LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc. (LNESC) is the education arm of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). By providing educational opportunities and scholarships to underserved communities, LNESC has awarded over $20 million to 140,000 students since 1973. While many scholarships are posted on the site, take note of the LULAC National Scholarship Fund, an annual program that awards over $750,000 in scholarships to economically disadvantaged Hispanic students each year. Winners are selected based on GPA and standardized testing scores, and minimums are posted on the website.

The United Negro College Fund

www.uncf.org

Believing that “a mind is a terrible thing to waste,” The United Negro College Fund enables more than 60,000 African-American students to attend college each year. By providing scholarships, supporting historically black colleges or universities and running annual fund raising campaigns, the UNCF works to provide low and moderate income families with the resources to send their children to college. The UNCF/Merck Science Initiative provides African-American undergraduate students with research scholarships and fellowships to further their science education and potentially pursue careers in science. Other opportunities include the Corporate Scholars Program, which awards hundreds of students with scholarships at internship opportunities at major Fortune 500 companies.

Ron Brown Scholar Program

www.ronbrown.org

The Ron Brown Scholar Fund is a 501(c) 3 public charity named for the late Secretary of Commerce and inspired by his dedication to public service.

The Ron Brown Scholar Program provides African-American students with the financial resources to attend some of the finest colleges and universities in the country. Upon acceptance, scholars are each awarded $40,000 ($10,000 per year for four years) that may be used at the college or university of their choice. Coupled with an outstanding mentorship program, the Ron Brown scholarship program has a 100 percent graduation rate for its scholars.

This program is ideal for the African-American student who wants to pursue a career in the arts, sciences and public services, law, medicine or business.

The American Indian College Fund

www.collegefund.org

The American Indian College Fund provides 6,000 scholarships annually to American Indians seeking higher education opportunities. By funding and creating awareness of the unique, community-based accredited Tribal Colleges and Universities, the AICF offers students access to knowledge, skills and cultural values which enhance their communities and the country as a whole. Visit www.collegefund.org/scholarships  for more information on the various scholarship programs available.

The Jackie Robinson Foundation

www.jackierobinson.org

The Jackie Robinson Foundation is a national nonprofit organization founded in 1973 to perpetuate the memory of Jackie Robinson’s commitment to education for minority students.

The program provides four-year college scholarships in conjunction with a comprehensive set of skills and opportunities to develop leadership potential in its participants.

Each winner is awarded $7,500 to be used at the four-year college or university of their choice. Applicants should demonstrate leadership roles and financial need. The Jackie Robinson Foundation prides itself on a diverse pool of applicants from any minority group.

The Asian & Pacific Islander Scholarship Fund

www.apiasf.org/scholarships

The Asian & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund (APIASF) is the nation’s largest 501(c)3  nonprofit organization that aspires to see that all APIAs have access to higher education and resources that cultivate their academic, personal and professional success, regardless of their ethnicity, national origin or financial means.

To apply, applicants must be of Asian and/or Pacific Islander descent as defined by the U.S. Census, apply for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), meet academic requirements and submit one letter of recommendation.

These are some of the largest and best known free scholarships for minorities.  Register with Next Step University to Learn more.

Looking for a way to pay some of those college costs? We can help! Check out this list of scholarships by region to start applying for free money!

Click on the state or region of the college you are interested in, and good luck!

• Midwest
• Four Corners/Northwest
• NY/NJ/PA
• Southeast
• New England
• Mid-Atlantic
• International

You’re in the honors classes, you scored great on your state exams, the SATs are over, and you’re on your way to that next big step: college. It’s an exciting, busy time of your life, and you have endless possibilities at your fingertips. Then one day you get a crisp white envelope in the mail from your college. You open it up and what’s inside? A lot of lines that don’t make sense except for one: Your current balance due, which is typically followed by a very large number!

For the majority of students who are not inherent millionaires, the cost of attending four-year schools can be very overwhelming. But what about the smart, committed, hardworking students? Don’t they deserve to be able to afford a higher education? We think so. And so do more than 1,800 colleges across the United States.

MeritAid.com reports that there is more than $13 billion dollars of merit aid available for students nationwide, and nearly $11 billion of that comes from colleges. So what does that mean for you? There are ways to reduce the stress on  you and on your bank account!

Merit-based aid is an umbrella term that covers a variety of scholarships, grants and discounts that a college awards to students regardless of financial need.  Merit aid may be based on academic or athletic achievements, special talents, where the student lives, or other demographic characteristics.

“While you don’t have to demonstrate financial need, you need to have a special skill that fits the standards of the scholarship,” says Paul Wrubel, a financial aid consultant. He explains that it’s important to keep in mind that “they are often non-renewable, meaning if you receive aid one year it doesn’t necessarily mean you will be awarded the same aid for the following year.”

Many schools will also require an essay as a part of the application for merit aid. These scholarships are very competitive, and the essay is often how colleges will decide who gets the award, and who doesn’t. The University of Arizona (www.arizona.edu) writes that there are three important steps to follow when creating your exceptional application essay:

Step 1. Brainstorming: “The most important aspect of your scholarship essay is the subject matter.” If you get stuck, seek out the people who know you best. Ask friends, parents, family members, neighbors, coworkers, etc. to characterize you. Ask that they give supporting examples for their answers. Getting outside opinions may give you an idea you would have never considered otherwise. Remember to always keep in mind how your answers relate to the scholarship you’re applying for.

Try considering:
• Your major accomplishments.
• A challenge you overcame. What did you learn about yourself?
• A time when you failed at something, and what you learned.
• What skills or attributes distinguish you from the majority of your peers?
• What are your goals?
• Who are your role models? Why? What about them impresses you?

Step 2. Selecting a topic: “Consider topics that will allow you to synthesize your important personal characteristics and experiences into a coherent whole…Answer the questions that were asked of you.”

Keep in mind:
• Is your topic genuinely of personal importance, or are you just fluffing an essay? (This will resonate in your writing)

• Is this topic getting repetitive? Is it overly used by you or other students?

• Is your topic overly political and/or offensive? If so, consider another topic that will be more universally accepted. If you select a controversial topic, offer counterarguments to avoid sounding ignorant.

• Be honest, but not for honesty’s sake. In other words, be YOU in your essay, not some cheesy, overly-dramatic version of you. (It will be memorable, but not in a good way.)

Step 3. Writing the Essay: “In writing the essay you must bear in mind your two goals: to persuade the scholarship officer that you are extremely worthy of receiving college assistance, and to make the officer aware that you are more than a GPA and a standardized score…you are a real-life, intriguing personality.”

Here are some dos and don’ts:

• DO answer the question completely.

• DON’T go Thesaurus-happy, using every big word ever created. No one will understand what you’re saying, including you.

• DO use (purposeful) imagery.

• DO spend the most time on your introduction and conclusion.

• DON’T use slang or informal language (i.e.: calling the official “bro” will probably not get you a scholarship).

• DO pace yourself. Take breaks between drafts. Coming back to your essay with a refreshed mind increases your chances of catching errors and thinking of new ideas.

• DO ask for feedback and make revisions.

We understand that writing essays can be tough. Try to keep things in perspective. These essays aren’t supposed to be torture. They are about demonstrating how what has happened to you (no matter how seemingly unimpressive) has made you the person you are. It’s a way of celebrating the choices you’ve made and your ability to reflect on them intelligently. And, like a scene from a movie about Y-O-U, who could write it better than the star?

Sarah Girouard is working toward a master’s degree in inclusive adolescent education at Nazareth College (www.naz.edu).

Looking for a way to pay some of those college costs? We can help! Check out this list of scholarships by region to start applying for free money!

Click on the state or region of the college you are interested in, and good luck!

• National
• Northwest/Midwest/Four Corners
• Great Lakes
• New York/New Jersey/Pennsylvania
• Southeast/South Central
• New England/Mid-Atlantic
• Texas/Oklahoma
• California/Nevada
• International

Let’s imagine for a moment that you are a scholarship judge. You have an enormous pile of applications in front of you. 

From the application forms, you can get basic information about each applicant’s grades, test scores and activities. But without being able to meet each candidate, how do you get a sense of who they are so that you can determine if they are the most deserving of your money? One of the best (and sometimes only) ways to get to know the applicants beyond their cut-and-dry statistics is through their essays. This is why, for many scholarship competitions, the essay is the most important part of the application and where you should spend the most time. 

Scholarship judges view the essay as their window into who you are, your passions and your potential. There are some interesting implications depending on the type of student you are. If you are a straight-A student with excellent test scores and a flawless academic record, you may be tempted to rely on these achievements to carry your application all the way to the final round. However, if you neglect the essay, you won’t win the big prize. On the other hand, if you are an average student and know that other applicants will have better academic achievements, you can use the opportunity that the essay provides to make yourself stand out. In many cases, you will actually be able to beat applicants who have higher GPAs and test scores. 

Regardless of your accomplishments and academic achievements, you need to write a powerful essay if you want to win a scholarship. In the midst of exploding buildings and the hero tearing away in a red sports car, it would be out of place for the background music to be a polka. The sights and sounds need to fit together to create the desired atmosphere. If one element is out of place (like a polka during an action scene), it destroys the effect of the entire movie. Similarly, what makes a good essay is that it fits within the context of the overall application. In other words, the essay and all other elements in your application package—such as your list of activities and teacher recommendations (if required)—must fit together to create the effect you want. 

Let’s say that you are applying for an award based on community service. In the application you list all of the community service groups that you belong to and service project awards that you’ve won. But in the essay, you vent about your disgust for the homeless and how they should find jobs instead of blocking your passage on sidewalks. If your essay’s message is not in line with the rest of your application, it will create a conflicting message and keep you out of the winners’ bracket. Even if we reverse this example, the result is the same. Imagine that you wrote a brilliant essay about community service but had no related activities to back up the commitment you profess in the essay. The essay, no matter how well written, will not make up for a lack of actual involvement in community service work. 

When you think about the essay, consider it within the context of your entire application. You want to present a cohesive message with the essay as the centerpiece. Each piece of the application should add to this unified message. The theme of your essay and application is almost always determined by the goal of the award or why the organization is giving away the money. For example, a minority advocacy organization may provide an award to help members of an under-represented ethnic group to pursue higher education. A private foundation may give an award to preserve the memory of a late benefactor who supported students entering teaching. A professional organization may award money to encourage students to enter their profession. 

It’s important to research and uncover the purpose of each award. Then you can use this information to guide the essay and application. Once you know the goal of the organization, use that knowledge to choose which aspect of your life to highlight as the general theme of the essay. If you are applying for the award for under-represented students, you may want to focus on your potential and how you will be a role model for others in the future. To apply for the educator or other professional awards, you’d want to highlight your future in education or the field of the awarding organization. In other words, use the goal of the award as a guide for the essay. 

Excerpted from How to Write a Winning Scholarship Essay available at bookstores and at supercollege.com. Gen and Kelly Tanabe are authors of 12 books. Ask Gen and Kelly your questions about paying for college at supercollege.com.

Scholarships. Grants. Loans. You’ve heard all those terms before to pay for college.

Here’s one you may not have thought of: payment plans.

When you receive your financial aid award letter from your college, you’ll see the scholarships and grants you’ve been awarded. You’ll see how much more you have to pay for college, and you’ll likely be offered loans to cover that amount.

But hold your horses there, cowboy. Instead of immediately accepting the loans, think about trying a payment plan instead.

What’s a payment plan?

A payment plan takes the amount of money you have to pay for college and divides it into monthly payments. That makes it so you don’t have to pay the entire amount in a lump sum at the beginning of each semester.

How does it work?

After all your “free” financial aid (grants and scholarships) is accounted for, let’s say you still owe the college $10,000 for the year.

Now, $10,000 is a big lump to shell out all at once. And after looking at all those zeros, you might be tempted to take out a loan for the full amount.

But if your college offers a payment plan over a year, that’s about $830 a month—a much more manageable amount.

Even if you can afford just a few hundred dollars a month toward a payment plan, you can still reduce the amount you have to borrow.

What’s the benefit?

The best-case scenario from using a payment plan?

“No loan debt,” says Lynn M. Robinson, executive director of student financial services for Johnson & Wales University (jwu.edu).

That means, after graduation, you have more money to buy a car, wardrobe, apartment—whatever—and less money you have to shell out to pay back student loans.

“It does make it a little tighter when you’re in school,” says Steven Dodd, president of Key Education Resources (key.com/educate).

“It is easier to make no payment today and borrow. But it’s not a good way to manage your money. Instead, what we encourage people to do is to look at what you can pay out of current income, consider what you can pay in savings, and stretch it out over the course of the academic year. You’re paying as you go. There’s no interest.”

Who offers payment plans?

Most colleges and universities offer them. Haven’t heard about them from your prospective school? Just ask an admissions or financial aid officer.

You’ve narrowed down your list to a few favorite colleges, and you’re ready to do your applications. Before you do, consider how your application might influence the financial side of things.

Depending on what you include, you could significantly affect the type and amount of scholarships you’ll receive. Here are some tips on how to get college scholarships!

Could your college application equal money?

Some colleges review your application not only to determine whether you are a good candidate for admission, but also to see if you qualify for scholarships.

Scholarships that are awarded during the admissions review are usually included in your acceptance letter, regardless of whether you have applied for financial aid or plan to do so.

It’s a great thing to receive a college acceptance. It’s even greater to receive free money at the same time!

Could your high school grades equal money?

Many colleges and universities award scholarships based on academic achievement, called “merit awards.” Those are determined by objective measures of your success in high school, such as GPA, AP courses, SAT or ACT scores, and to some degree, letters of recommendation.

Merit awards are standardized, objective, and not subject to much negotiation. Of course, if your high school performance improves after the award has been offered, you can ask to be reconsidered.

Could offering more info equal money?

You may not be able to change the numbers that reflect your academic profile, but you can increase your chances for other scholarships. There are plenty of non-academic scholarships that are awarded regardless of need. You just have to present the information that admissions officers need to consider you for eligibility.

Let’s look at an example on how to get college scholarships:

Green Mountain College offers several non-academic scholarships based on activities and experiences, such as community service, leadership, environmental advancement and visual and performing arts.

Admissions officers look for evidence of these activities in the application and make recommendations to the dean for awards of up to $7,000 in each category.

• Student A

Student A lists the following on her application under “activities”:

Soccer

Scouting

Church youth group

Student government

• Student B

Student B had the exact same extracurricular profile, but included additional information in a résumé:

Soccer: Was co-captain of the soccer team junior year.

Scouting: Earned badges for different volunteer activities (which she lists).

Church youth group: Took a two-week missionary trip to Belize where
I helped build a school.

Student government: Was class representative for two years, treasurer for one year and vice president her senior year.

Which student is more likely to receive community service and leadership awards? 

• Student A had a good résumé but failed to express herself with key words and details that tell the whole story.
• Student B put in a little extra time and effort with a résumé that really showcased her activities. Student B will be rewarded with scholarships, while Student A may be overlooked.

Admissions officers aren’t mind readers. Sure, they try to read between the lines, but it helps to read the words that are actually in the file.

Words like captain, president and representative indicate leadership. Specific examples of volunteer work tell us that a student is oriented toward community service.

Choose your words carefully and fill in the details. You’ve probably done a lot. Now is the time to talk about it in your application and interview. That's how you get more money in college scholarships. You’ll be glad you did!

Sandra Bartholomew is dean of enrollment management at Green Mountain College(greenmtn.edu), an environmental liberal arts college located in Poultney, VT.

Even if money’s a problem, don’t give up on college—you can find a way to make it work. There are many scholarship and financial aid programs and other ways to find the money and help you pay for college.

Scholarships
Scholarships are a great way to pay for college because you don’t have to pay them back! Diligent students have a good chance of gaining a scholarship. To increase your chances of getting the money you need by the time you graduate high school, start looking for scholarships during your junior year.

Most scholarship programs require applications. The process for applying can be as simple as sending an application form, or as complicated as writing a number of essays and providing detailed transcripts. Searching online is a good way to find scholarships.

• Merit-based
There are a number of merit-based scholarships available. Some pay your entire tuition; most pay a portion. If you’re a hard-worker with good grades and decent test scores, you can apply for merit-based scholarships, specific university scholarships and other nonprofit scholarships intended to attract talented students.

• Need-based
Need-based scholarship programs are for students in need of money for college. These are often run by colleges and are based on a combination of your income and your family’s income. Some are specific to a major or location. Research the need-based scholarship programs at the colleges you wish to attend to determine if you’re eligible.

• Other types
Along with traditional scholarships, you will also find state-run programs, business-run scholarships and money for students of specific religions or ethnicities. There are also special scholarships for your sports and artistic talents. Ask your school counselor for details, or visit nextSTEPmag.com/Scholarships.

Financial aid programs
Financial aid programs are another good way to pay for college. Usually combining grants and loans, they are often run on a first-come, first-served basis, so apply early.

• Government financial aid
To determine your eligibility for financial aid, such as grants and low-interest government loans, fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Familiarize yourself with this application before applying for financial aid.

• Other programs
Some colleges run their own aid programs aside from scholarships. These are specific to each school, so research the financial aid programs at the schools to which you intend to apply.

Other options

• Work
You can always work to pay for school, but be careful not to overwork. As a college student, you will already have a large amount of work on your plate.

• Accelerated programs
Some schools run accelerated degree programs that allow you to complete classes in a less-than-usual amount of time. These programs may help you graduate sooner, but you might find the pace overwhelming

Getting a college education can be expensive, but it is worth every dollar. Use these techniques to get started on your quest to pay for college. If you need more help, talk to your school counselor or the admissions office at a college nearby.

Ross Blankenship is an admissions analyst and admissions counselor. He is also an author and co-founder of TopTestPrep.com, test prep and admissions.

Duck calling. Skateboarding. Creating a prom dress and tuxedo out of duct tape. What do these skills have in common? Believe it or not, talent in any of these fields can earn you a college scholarship.

Not all scholarships require such unusual talents. How can you get a scholarship? Most scholarships sponsored by colleges, corporations or civic organizations have more typical selection criteria, such as outstanding academic achievement or personal contributions in an area such as music, art or community service.

Like your parents have probably told you a hundred times, there are thousands of these scholarships out there, and they can be a wonderful way to pay some or all of your college costs. Seeking and applying for these scholarships is not for the faint of heart, though. The process requires time, patience, and the willingness to fill out a lot of applications.

You will also need to avoid falling victim to some common assumptions. Let’s debunk a few of the myths you may have heard about college scholarships and show you how to get scholarships the right way!

Myth 1: Merit scholarships (world-class flutist, perhaps?) are the only way to pay for college

The largest source of student financial assistance for college is actually need-based aid.
Need-based financial aid is awarded by federal and state governments, as well as by each college and university, based on your family’s financial situation.

Need-based aid can include scholarships, grants, loans or work-study. To be eligible for need-based aid, each student must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (fafsa.ed.gov) and may be asked to complete additional applications (such as the College Scholarship Search Profile form at collegeboard.com) depending on each college or university’s requirements.

Submitting those applications to the colleges to which you are applying will ensure that you are considered for any scholarships that require the recipient to demonstrate financial need, as well as any grants, loans or work-study opportunities for which you might be eligible.

Myth 2: Scholarships are only offered by colleges and universities

Though colleges and universities are the largest sources of scholarship funding, a number of corporations, foundations, civic organizations and nonprofit groups sponsor scholarships as well. If you receive an award from an organization independent of the college you choose to attend, ask your college’s financial aid office about its policy on outside scholarships. It might impact the need-based financial aid you might receive.

Myth 3: I should start looking for scholarships only after I’ve been admitted to college

It’s never too early to begin looking for scholarships. There are even some scholarships designated specifically for students under the age of 13!

The Web site finaid.org has comprehensive listings of national, state and local scholarship awards and is a great place to start to give you an idea of what is available and for what you might be eligible. Check out nextSTEPmag.com/Scholarships for another great scholarship search site that matches you with appropriate scholarship listings.

You will find information about scholarships at the colleges to which you’re applying on their Web sites or through your school counselor.

Most college-based scholarships have application deadlines in early to late fall. Start your scholarship search in the spring of your junior year so you don’t miss out on any opportunities simply because you missed the deadline.

Myth 4: All colleges offer merit scholarships

Many colleges and universities do sponsor their own merit scholarships. But a large number of schools, particularly those that have highly selective admission processes, offer only need-based financial aid. Do your research on each of the schools you’re interested in to discover what kinds of financial assistance they provide.

Myth 5: If I work hard in high school, I will be rewarded with a scholarship

Though it seems like receiving a scholarship is a reward for hard work in high school, you may be surprised to learn that recognizing hard work is not a college’s primary goal in making scholarship awards.

The vast majority of students who apply to college have worked hard in high school, so it’s impossible for colleges to honor all of those accomplished students. Colleges use scholarships as incentives to encourage certain applicants to attend their school because they would bring unique talents or gifts to the student community.

The specific talents valued by each school will vary. Some will seek students with exceptional academic records, while other schools need those with strong musical ability or those who will contribute to athletic teams or lead community service initiatives. Research the scholarships available at the colleges to which you are applying to see if your skills and talents align with the characteristics they seek in their scholarship recipients.

Myth 6: My college tuition bill is $15,000, so it’s not worth it to apply for a $500 scholarship

Every little bit helps! That $500 scholarship may cover the cost of books for your first semester or the cost of your plane ticket home for winter break. And if you apply for and receive several of those smaller scholarships, they can really start adding up to big savings for you and your family.

Myth 7: This scholarship is for students of Norwegian descent with a 3.5 GPA. My family is from Denmark and I have a 3.3, so I should apply

Unfortunately for you, there are plenty of students out there who are Norwegian and do have a 3.5 GPA, so your application may be dismissed immediately because you do not meet the requirements.

Most scholarships have specific criteria because the donor wants to benefit exactly the kind of student stated. Focus your scholarship search and spend your valuable time applying for only those scholarships for which you are eligible.

Myth 8: Searching for scholarships seems hard, so it’s a good idea to pay someone to do it for me

Yes, searching for scholarships can be time-consuming, and writing the required essays can be a daunting task. But no one else can do it for you.

There are thousands of scholarships that you can research for free on your own. It is unlikely that any organization has exclusive access to scholarship listings that you do not have via the Internet.

You should never pay to get a scholarship. Nor can anyone guarantee that, for a fee, they can get you a scholarship. If you suspect a scholarship offer may be a scam, contact your school counselor and the Better Business Bureau in the city where the scholarship service is located.

Now that you know the truth about scholarships, you’re ready to start searching. Good luck, and keep practicing those duct tape dressmaking skills!

Heather Shows is director of scholarships for Vanderbilt University (vanderbilt.edu).

Hey high school juniors! There are probably many more things you’d rather do this summer than get a head start on scholarships. But with just a little bit of effort, you can set yourself up next year and the path toward getting money for college.

The first step is finding scholarships. Here are the best places to look.

• Your school counselor
Even though your counselor is probably on vacation, you can still use the resources that he or she offers. Look at the counseling section on your school’s Web site for scholarships. If your school’s Web site doesn’t have this information, look at the sites of other local schools.

• A financial aid office
Speak with the financial aid offices at the schools where you plan to apply. Think about what interests and talents you have and what field you may want to enter after graduation. Mention any special circumstances about your family’s financial situation. Ask for recommendations of scholarships offered by the college or by community organizations.

Whenever you speak to a counselor (either in high school or college), inquire about any scholarships that require a nomination. Often these scholarships are easier to win because the applicant pool is smaller.

The largest hurdle is getting nominated. You have nothing to lose by asking someone to nominate you. If anything, it shows how serious you are about financing your education.

• School activities
One fringe benefit of participating in activities might be a scholarship sponsored by the organization. Make a list of all your activities so that in the fall, you can ask the club’s officers or advisers about scholarship funds. Bands, newspapers, academic clubs, athletic and service organizations often award scholarships to outstanding members.

• Community organizations
Don’t limit yourself to only organizations you belong to. Community groups often sponsor scholarships that are open to all students in the community. For example, local Rotary and Lions clubs often offer scholarships for outstanding students in the community, whether or not their parents are members. They view scholarship programs as a way of serving their communities. Open a phone book and call the five largest organizations in your area. Chances are that at least one will offer a scholarship.

• Your employer
Many businesses that employ young people offer scholarships as a way to reward students like you who both study and work. Ask your manager if your employer has a scholarship fund and how you can apply.

• Your parents’ employers
Companies often award scholarships to the children of their employees. Your parents should speak with someone in their human resources department about scholarships and other educational programs offered by the company.

• Your parents’ unions
Some unions sponsor scholarships for the children of their members. Your parents should speak with their union officers about scholarships and other educational programs sponsored by the union.

• Your parents’ organizations
Are your parents involved in civic or other local organizations? These organizations may offer scholarships for members’ children.

• Your church or religious organization
Religious organizations may provide scholarships for
members. If you or your parents are members of a religious organization, check with the leaders to see if a scholarship is offered.

• Local government
Some cities and counties provide scholarships specifically designated for local students. Often, local city council members and state representatives have scholarship funds. Call their offices and ask if they offer a scholarship.

• Local businesses
Local business owners who want to see students in their community succeed often set up scholarship funds as a way to thank their customers and customers’ children. Contact your local chamber of commerce to see if there are local businesses that offer scholarships for students in the community.

• Local newspaper
Some local newspapers make announcements about local students who win scholarships. Keep a record of the scholarships printed, or go to your library and look at back issues of the newspaper. Check the spring issues (from March to now), and you’ll probably find announcements of scholarship recipients. Contact the sponsoring organizations to see if you’re eligible to enter the next competition.

• Internet
One of the benefits of online scholarship directories is that they can be updated at any time. Online scholarship directories can give you up-to-date information on new scholarships. Find free scholarship searches at SuperCollege.com, nextSTEPmag.com/Scholarships, CollegeAnswer.com and Collegeboard.com.

Scholarships (especially when you can get them early as a high school junior) are truly the gems of financial aid. Start the groundwork now so you’ll be ready to run in the fall. 

Harvard graduates Gen and Kelly Tanabe are the authors of nine books, including Get into Any College and Accepted! 50 Successful College Admission Essays. Ask them your questions about getting into college and check out their books at supercollege.com.