<p>I've been bombarded with all of these scholarship databases that tell me there's "thousands of scholarships out there" and by signing up they'll help me find relevant scholarships. I signed up for two, get all the annoying emails, entered about 15, but I haven't won anything. Is it really worth doing all of this work for the small monopoly I'll win? Are some of the databases better than others? I just feel annoyed after putting a lot of work into essays, filling out forms, etc. then getting absolutely nothing. I'm a debt and loan free rising sophomore (so money is not a huge issue), but it's not like I'm rich. I'm commuting from home (which is a little bit annoying.) My parents have been paying my tuition, but complain about it and feel like I'm not putting forth enough effort to get scholarships. I've entered 15 and counting. :-</p>
<p>No, it’s probably not worth the bother. You’d be better off devoting your time to your classes and keeping your GPA up.</p>
<p>The time to get scholarships was when you applied to college - by applying to schools where you might have qualified for merit aid. But that’s history, now . . . so the next best thing to do is see if your school offers any merit scholarships. Depending on your major, perhaps there’s a departmental scholarship you can apply for.</p>
<p>The one other thing you could do, if you haven’t thought of it already . . . is get a JOB. Better yet, get two: a full-time job during the summer and a part-time job during the school year. That’s what most kids do who need money to pay for college.</p>
<p>Explain to your parents that the over-whelming majority of scholarships are for incoming freshmen. </p>
<p>Some schools award them to entice the best students to attend.</p>
<p>Private scholarships (like the ones you’re doing) are very hard to get…they’re also usually for incoming frosh. </p>
<p>Continuing students rarely get scholarships. sometimes your major dept will offer some, but they’re often one time SMALL awards given to a top junior or senior. </p>
<p>Many students do very well in college, but don’t get one additional dime in scholarship money.</p>
<p>I don’t think they’re worth it.</p>
<p>If you are looking to transfer for junior year, look at schools that offer significant merit/financial aid for transfers.</p>
<p>Okay, thanks! 
I’ll let them know about that. I noticed many of them (especially the full scholarships) were for smaller colleges as a way to lure people in. There is no way I’m transferring. 
I love my university. <3</p>
<p>I worked a little bit last semester (I took on a pretty hefty course load and 2 committees, so I was pretty busy with all that.) I also worked over the summer. This semester, I am hoping to do a paid internship while doing a full course load and the same committees.) It will be pretty busy, but definitely worth it. </p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>Congratulations on finding a school you’re so happy at . . . and congratulations on the paid internship!!!</p>
<p>Do explain to your parents, as suggested above, that there really aren’t a lot of scholarships available for continuing students . . . and the stories they’ve likely heard about “thousands of dollars in unclaimed scholarship money!” are just that - stories.</p>
<p>If you’re doing well in school and working both during the summer and during the school year, then you’re doing everything right - and they should be proud.</p>
<p>I believe they are worth it. My senior year, I devoted my time to scholarships, school, and work. Not much else. And I graduated with $70,000 in scholarship money. You have to make them want to give you the scholarships. Find that one thing special about you and find out how to make that show to those scholarship counsels!!! THEY ARE SO WORTH IT.</p>