We all know people who stand out as particularly creative, savvy and driven and who are always coming up with new ideas and ways of doing things. Many of these people become America’s future entrepreneurs, and if you count yourself among the entrepreneurial crowd, you likely can’t wait to graduate from college and open up a business.
But starting your own business or inventing the next big thing requires money, and if you’re bogged down by student loans, that may be in short supply right after college. Thankfully, there are scholarship programs out there that encourage go-getters. Take advantage of them so you can fund your dream business instead of struggling with nightmare amounts of debt.
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Founded in 1981, the National Association for the Self-Employed provides support for small business owners and entrepreneurs. If you’re in college and your small business is already underway, consider applying for the organization’s Future Entrepreneur Scholarship, worth $10,000 and awarded to one student a year.
To apply, you must own and operate your own business and demonstrate how your course of study will support your business and career goals. Applications open on Jan. 6.
For those of you who have a vision for a small business but haven’t gotten it off the ground yet, check out the Grasshopper Entrepreneur Scholarship. Grasshopper was founded in 2003 by two entrepreneurs and was built to allow other entrepreneurs to run their business through a cellphone.
Learn How to [Look to Professional Associations to Find Scholarships in Your Major]
The company is also committed to helping other entrepreneurs by awarding one $5,000 scholarship each year to current college students. Though this year’s scholarship has already been awarded, check back in the spring for more information on how to apply.
The CEO of GreenPal is another entrepreneur looking to support America’s future small business owners. GreenPal is an online resource that helps people find, schedule and pay the perfect person to take care of your lawn.
The $2,000 scholarship, paid as four $500 awards for each college semester completed, is meant to “assist a motivated, driven student and future business leader.” If you’re already running a small business and also attending college, or if you have a business idea to start while you’re in college, consider applying for this award, which opens up Nov. 1.
To be eligible, you must demonstrate high ambition and a desire to be an entrepreneur or business owner, and also have declared a major in business.
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High school juniors and seniors and current college students may want to check out the Dr. Denny Ko Future Entrepreneurs Scholarship program, sponsored by the Southern California Monte Jade Science & Technology Association.
Ko served as one of the association’s founders and board members, and the board of directors established the scholarship in remembrance of his achievements. Open to the general public, the scholarship program is meant to foster leadership and entrepreneurship in students.
Though this year’s deadline has passed, keep an eye on the website for information on when the next application opens. One high school scholarship, worth up to $2,000, and one college or postgraduate scholarship, worth up to $3,000, is awarded in the spring of each year.
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Pitch Yourself to These Scholarships for Future Entrepreneurs originally appeared on usnews.com
