By December, most students are finishing up their college applications or have already submitted them. So, now you can just sit back and wait. Right?
Well, December is a great time to start finding scholarships to defray the cost of that college you hope to attend. While you have a break from school and homework during the winter holidays, spend some time researching scholarships to which you can apply. You’ll be surprised how many scholarships are available and how much they can help.
In fact, it seems that for every situation, there is a scholarship. Check out these niche scholarship opportunities, for example:
- Amish Descendant Scholarship Fund (Up to $20,000 per recipient)
- Create-A-Greeting-Card Scholarship (Up to $11,000 per recipient)
- Doodle for Google Scholarship ($5,000 - $30,000)
- Stuck at Prom Scholarship ($500 - $10,000)
So, how do you find college scholarship applications? Here are a few places to start searching.
Where to Look for College Scholarships
Start Local.
Local scholarships are abundant and less competitive than national scholarships.
- Your high school
Most high schools have a variety of scholarships available from organizations and donors. These are scholarships that are specifically given to students only from your high school. Also, ask your guidance counselor for scholarship lists or resources. - Local Chamber of Commerce
Nearly every Chamber of Commerce offers a few scholarships. - Local Businesses
- Local Service Providers (Hospitals, EMTs, Police, Fire Department, etc.)
- Community Groups
- Civic Groups
- Religious entities or groups
- Clubs & Extracurriculars
Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and local sports and music organizations sponsor scholarships. - College Financial Aid Office
If you know where you are going, check with your future school’s financial aid office. Almost all colleges have a variety of endowments and alumni sponsored scholarships. - Your parent’s employers
Many companies offer scholarships to the children of employees, some of these scholarships can be quite generous. Make sure your parents check with their HR department. - Professional Organizations
- Niche interest groups
US Department of Labor's FREE scholarship search tool
For more information on making college more affordable, contact our college funding and financial aid specialists at 610-422-3530.