One of the most important things you can do as a senior in high school is to secure your financial aid for college. There are a lot of aid options you can pursue and they all start with completing a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The FAFSA determines your eligibility for grants, work programs, student loans and many scholarships. Have you searched for scholarships? Scholarships are one of the most fun and interactive ways to find aid to help cover college expenses.
Here are a few tips for students looking for scholarships:
- Make use of scholarship databases. UCanGo2.org provides scholarship links based on the type of scholarship and the deadline for the award. Other local groups such as the Oklahoma City Community Foundation also offer scholarships for students in the state.
- Check scholarship websites. OKcollegestart.org offers a scholarship search feature that allows students to enter information that will match them to awards that meet their criteria. There are numerous websites that provide similar services. Check out the sites on our Scholarship Success Guide to find options that will help you find additional scholarships.
- Be sure to watch scholarship deadlines! Every scholarship application has a deadline. In order to be considered for those awards, you must submit your application on time. Please don’t miss out on free money because you aren’t paying attention to a deadline. Use our Scholarship Tracker to follow your deadline dates.
- Have fun! There are scholarships available for almost anything, from your favorite brands, sports teams, games, or hobbies. While searching for scholarships, make sure you take time to find some that are fun. Those applications will be easier and more enjoyable while also offering aid for your education. Try the Unigo monthly scholarships that offer subjects such a your favorite ice cream flavor and surviving a zombie apocalypse!
- Be consistent! If possible, apply for 2-3 scholarships a week and you may just secure a nice pool of money for your education! Try and find a regular time to sit down and work on scholarships when you don’t have any interruptions. If you find that writing essays isn’t your jam, use our Scholarship Essay Tips to help you along the way.
Scholarships are a perfect way to bridge the gap between the cost of college and your financial aid offer. Complete as many applications as you can and don’t forget to have fun. Good luck!