<p>Despite the fact that I am a senior, I have not taken my scholarship search as seriously as I could have. As a consequence, I am now looking at attending a list of schools that I truly do not want to go to but can afford. </p>
<p>I've already started doing essays off fastweb like crazy, but there's only so much money those can bring. Aside from merit-based scholarships from schools, does anyone have advice on how I can find some outside scholarships that reward academic achievement?</p>
<p>And Google doesn't count. I've tried that already. :p</p>
<p>Don’t freak yet. About 80% of scholarships out there come directly from the colleges. For instance, you won’t know that you got the Happy College Betsy Best scholarship for zither players until you have 1) applied for Happy College and 2) been accepted and 3) filled out the FAFSA and 4) indicated that zither playing is one of your hobbies.</p>
<p>So, when your acceptance packet comes around April 1, there will be a sheet in there announcing that you have been granted the Betsy Best zither scholarship. </p>
<p>Your task, currently, is to make sure all your applications are complete (to the schools you WANT to attend). Make sure the FAFSA is submitted. Quickly finding a suitable financial safety is also wise. IF that’s not possible, work hard to find more to like on that list you’ve already got. </p>
<p>Don’t abandon hope on Happy College (whatever that happens to be) just yet. Even when the packet comes, your parents can call or visit there and say “This school is my student’s top choice. Are there any other options or programs available to make this more affordable?” You won’t know until you ask. </p>
<p>Also check your local credit union (join now if they have a scholarship) and local foundations. Ask if there is anything through your parents work place. </p>
<p>We found that the fastweb stuff tended to be challenging and often won by home schooled kids who had time to write “10,000 words on peace in the modern world.”</p>
<p>Again, make sure your FAFSA is in and that you’ve done all that you can to make yourself seem perfect for HAppy College.
good luck!</p>
<p>The most feasible scholarships (other than through the college you go to) are available through your local school and community. Or some on your state level.</p>
<p>Check with your guidance counselor and ask which scholarship apps are still open. Then google your local banks, community organizations, etc. Some of them will give scholarships. Then check with your state education agency website and possibly your state higher ed website for things like the Robert Byrd scholarship. Lot of times you can find good leads from the guidance department websites of other high schools in your state.</p>
<p>I found it very hard to get information on the Byrd scholarships. I would not encourage a student to do the Ayn Rand essay unless their heart really loved Ayn Rand. </p>
<p>What DO you love? See if there are any scholarships on that topic.</p>
<p>The thing that is tricky about the Robt Byrd is that each state administers it differently. You have to find the place in your state where they administer it and find out what the requirements are.</p>
<p>It can really be a lot of work to sort through what you’re eligible for, then sort them in priority order of the likelihood of getting them versus how much work they would be. The part that I personally found most frustrating was how many scholarships are vague about how big a role financial need plays in their decisions.</p>