If you are just now beginning to search for college scholarships for the coming academic year, you are a bit late. However, you should not give up — there are still some great opportunities out there.
If you employ a good strategy and commit to the process, you are certain to find some financial aid for this year and those to come.
One remaining option is the National Hazing Prevention Week Essay Competition. High school students must submit their essays on the theme, “Be Someone’s Hero — Stand Up to Hazing,” by April 30. The first place winner will receive $500, and there are 10 other prizes that range from $50 to $250.
At this late date, search with a sense of urgency. This means organizing whatever scholarships you find that still have deadlines between now and the beginning of your first semester from most to least urgent, and then determining how much time each will require.
Perhaps a spreadsheet would be the best and easiest way to organize a dynamic list. You can start with a simple list of just the basics, and then can add and remove columns to tailor this tool to your liking and needs.
[Try talking to these people to find more college scholarships.]
The Health Careers Scholarship Program, from insurance provider Gallagher Student Health and Special Risk, is a good example of upcoming scholarships you still may have time to pursue. It requires an essay and two letters of recommendation, among other things, and is available to college students nationwide who are pursuing a career in health care and can show financial need. The deadline to apply for the six $7,500 scholarships is May 6.
Keeping track of all the scholarships you find and requirements, deadlines and so forth is going to be key. You will also need to balance the number of scholarships and time required to apply with the rest of your schedule. Make sure you will have the requisite time to complete any that you start to ensure you are not wasting your time.
The Wells Fargo CollegeSTEPS sweepstakes is a great one to check out because it doesn’t require a lot of time or effort. It is open to all students in the U.S. over the age of 14 and has a $5,000 grand prize. Sign up for the CollegeSTEPS program, which offers college planning and money management information, by June 30 and you will automatically be entered to win.
[Find more scholarships for procrastinators.]
As always, try to ensure that all this proactive diligence and effort poured into keeping yourself out of debt upon graduation is going to have a chance to pay off for you. Talk to the financial aid office to make certain the school will not rescind a portion of the grants and scholarships offered in your financial aid letter if you win outside scholarships. Be sure that the school will use that money to take the place of the student loans it suggested, not the institutional aid offered.
Another suggestion for getting the best offer possible from the financial aid office at the college you have your heart set on is to appeal the financial aid letter if you can show extenuating circumstances or additional financial hardship that may not be clear on your financial aid application.
Often, some additional information sent to the right person, people or department will yield additional financial aid in the form of grant money directly from the institution.
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Harvest College Cash Late in Scholarship Season originally appeared on usnews.com
