Has anyone had much success using scholarship search guidebooks such as the College Board Scholarship Handbook or The Ultimate Scholarship Book? Is it possible to find outside scholarships for a middle class, high achieving (but undecided major) high school senior? If my D has no real “hook” for income, ethnicity, major, or career goal, is there scholarship $$ out there? She is very involved with high school ECs, (key club, NHS) but I can’t imagine that leading to scholarships. We are counting on merit aid from her college, and I’ll have her search and apply for outside scholarships if there seems to be a chance. But will a $20 guidebook yield any strong leads?
Try your local library rather than spend $20.
And (here we go again) what is your definition of middle class? What is your AGI?
Often the best places for scholarships are from the school your D will attend, and through the high school guidance department.
Talk to your school GC. There are usually local scholarships that are less competitive.
The best scholarships come from the accepting university. You’re looking for a needle in a haystack and most of the “book” scholarships are for one year and run less than $1000; add to the fact that every student opening one of those books is applying. It’s really not worth the time.