High School Scholarships for College
If your in high school then you should be thinking how to get college scholarships grants for high school students. It’s an important step in preparing how to pay for college tuition. College is increasingly more and more expensive, but when you know how to target and apply for college scholarships you do not have to give up your dream of obtaining a higher education. Following the tips and guidelines below can help you to locate and identify your best chances for scholarships for college while you are still in high school.
Talk to your High School Guidance Counselor for the Local Scholarships
One of the most important sources to finding college scholarships and grants for high school students can be local resources. In looking at how to discover college scholarships, make a point of checking with your high school guidance counselor. It is quite likely that your high school participates in high school scholarship programs in your local area. There are also many national programs your high school may participate in which provide you with opportunities for college scholarships as well.
Groups, Organizations and Clubs offer University Scholarships while in High School
You should also consider checking into groups, organizations and clubs that may be present on your school’s campus. Keep in mind that while many local clubs or chapters often offer high school college scholarships, you may also be eligible to apply for scholarships grants offered through the national organization as well.
There are also many other local resources you can take advantage of for possible high school scholarships as well including clubs, charities, regional groups, etc. Consider the local social clubs that may provide financial assistance for college-bound students. While some clubs and organizations specifically offer assistance to students from low-income or minority backgrounds, there are also groups that award scholarships and grants based solely on academic performance and/or community involvement.
Apply early to get College Scholarships Grants while still in High School
When applying for high school scholarships and grants for college the importance of applying early should always be kept in mind. Many scholarship grant programs are highly competitive and as such it is imperative that you apply as early as possible. Bear in mind that while many scholarships and grants specifically target high school juniors or seniors, there are also many high school scholarship programs that are open to freshmen and sophomores. The earlier you apply and the more opportunities you take advantage of, the better your chances will be of receiving scholarships or grants to help you fund your college education.
Criteria Used on College Scholarships and Grants for High School Students
Many students often have questions about what panels and committees look at when selecting winners for scholarships. Overall, scholarships can be based on a variety of different factors including academic achievement, test scores, community involvement, written essays, volunteerism, etc. While students who have high GPAs and solid test scores will often qualify for many scholarship opportunities, it should be understood that even if you do not have a perfect 4.0 GPA you may still be eligible for a variety of scholarships based on other factors. Toward that end, be sure to take advantage of the opportunity to become involved in volunteer and community service activities.
Hobbies and Interests for Grants Scholarships for College
College Scholarships for high school students are also often awarded to students who have certain hobbies and interests. In fact, you might be surprised to discover the number of scholarships and awards that are given out to students each year for all types of things. No matter what your hobby or interest might happen to be, it is certainly not out of the realm of possibility that there is a college scholarship available to you.
Entrance Scholarships for First Time Students
Do you have plans to attend a certain college? If so, make it a point to find out which types of entrance scholarships they offer for first time students. Most universities and colleges offer an array of scholarships to incoming students. There are also often memorial scholarships that are offered in memory of someone who went to that college or made a contribution to that college or university. Contact the college admissions office to find out which types of scholarships are available.
Employers offer College Scholarships for High School Students
When searching for opportunities for college scholarships, be sure to consider your parents’ employers. Many employers, especially larger companies, offer scholarship opportunities for employees as well as the dependents of employees. This can be a wonderful source for funds for college.
Know Application Deadlines
As you apply for college scholarships and grants while in high school, always make sure you are aware of the dates that applications for each college scholarship becomes available and also the deadline to apply for the scholarship. You may wish to consider setting up a calendar to help you easily track all of the dates associated with various scholarships you wish to apply to receive. Make it a point to send in the completed application along with all of the application materials as soon as possible. Do not wait until the last moment to send in your application. Also, be aware of whether the submission deadline is a received by or a postmarked by deadline. Before sending in any applications or application materials for scholarships, be sure you have checked the packed to be certain everything is complete and included. You certainly do not want to be excluded from a scholarship opportunity because you left out a critical piece of information or document from your high school college scholarship application packet.
Essays and College Scholarships for High School Students
Many college scholarships for high school students require applicants to submit essays. Take the time to carefully review all of the guidelines and make certain you follow them to the letter. If the guidelines require you to submit a 500 to 1,000 word essay make certain you meet the minimum word count but do not exceed the maximum word count. Mail all documents and materials neatly in an envelope that does not require the documents to be folded when mailing.
Don’t pay a Fee when applying for College Scholarships and Grants while in High School
Finally, remember that in order to apply for scholarships or grants you should never have to pay a fee. Online search engines and free scholarship searches can prove to be quite helpful in locating college scholarships grants. Unfortunately, there are many scams out there that seek to take money from well-intentioned high school students who are looking for the opportunity to earn money for college. If you see a scholarship program that requires you to pay a fee in order to apply, be wary. No processing fees EVER should be involved in legitimate opportunities when applying to high school scholarships for college.