I’m currently trying to apply to as many scholarships as possible. I’ve made a list of about 25 scholarships that I have/am planning on applying to, including big scholarships (Elks MVC, Coca Cola, Jack Kent Cooke, etc.). Does anyone know of any helpful scholarship websites? I’ve made profiles on sites like Bold.org and Raise.me, but I feel like the chances of winning any of the scholarships on these websites are extremely small.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Are you also applying to colleges where you have a good chance of getting merit scholarships? The big national ones are great if you get them, but they are highly competitive.
There are colleges that give scholarships based on the strength of your application. So…what is your GPA, and SAT or ACT if you have taken them?
How much can your parents contribute to college annually?
What is your state of residence?
You mention possibly gaining NMF status. If you get that, you need to look at schools like the Florida publics because the Benequisto scholarship is a full ride for NM winners. @twoinanddone can you explain this award to this student?
@thumper1 I’m applying to some scholarships to some elite universities that I’m applying to (those are basically impossible to get, though). As of now, the only schools that I could possibly get merit aid at is my in-state school UIUC or Temple.
Quick history:
My UW GPA is 3.95/4.0 and my W GPA is a 5.1/6.0 (4.6/5.0?).
I’m 90% sure I am a NMSF. My ACT is a 33 (34 superscored). I’m taking an SAT next month, so hopefully I get around 1550, but it probably won’t happen.
My parents are hoping to only have to pay around $20,000 a year, but I want to ED to Duke and we’re expecting closer to $30,000.
I live in Illinois.
I’m looking to major in biomed/bio/chem engineering.
If you get NMS, you are eligible for a FREE RIDE total costs via the Benequisto scholarship at Florida public universities. @twoinanddone
With your stats, your cost to attend would likely be less than $20,000 at University of Alabama. Why isn’t that on your list. @mom2collegekids
Have you looked at University of New Mexico? You would definitely qualify for the amigo scholarship there. Your net cost would meet your parent price point. @WayOutWestMom
You should also look at Arizona…where you likely would get a decent award.
Apply to University of South Carolina, and do their scholarship application. It’s a doozie, but could net you a very nice scholarship that would make that school affordable.
Which elite school scholarships are you applying to?
I think there are plenty of places where your net costs will be at your parent price point…and especially if you add the Direct Loan onto the $20,000 they want to pay.
Can your parents pay $30,000 a year? If not, how will you pay for Duke if the net cost is higher than they can or will pay?
Since finances are a significant consideration for you and your family, I would not suggest you apply ED…unless you know you can afford to attend if accepted.
@riverandsasha3 I CANNOT stress this enough: APPLY TO LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS! You are much, much more likely to receive these due to the smaller applicant pool, and while they might not be as much money as the more famous national scholarships, the money can and will stack quickly. Your school’s guidance counselor (or college and career center) should be able to recommend some local scholarships students from your school have applied to, and many schools will create a regularly updated list of merit scholarships that they know of. It’s also worth inquiring if any organizations that you are a part of (your parents’ or your workplace, local volunteer organization, banks etc.) offer merit scholarships. Your state’s government have a scholarship application portal as well that they run.
I tried Going Merry b/c my HS Counselor recommended it and it did seem to list some local/regional scholarships, but I started it at the tail-end of the scholarship application cycle so didn’t have any luck with it. 
Also note that if you get any merit scholarships AND are receiving financial aid, you can only receive a certain amount (varies from school to school) before the scholarship money will start counting against your financial aid, as it cannot replace your parents’ contribution. However, that’s not a concern rn b/c you can always ask the scholarship organization to spread the amount over multiple years if possible to maximize the amount received; so apply to as many local scholarships as you can and meet the requirements for!
Hope that helps! Good luck! 
@thumper1 I don’t really want to go to college in the South. Mainly because I don’t like the weather at all or the cities. I initially had the University of Alabama on my list because their engineering program is okay, but I took it off because I knew I wouldn’t enjoy the actual school (seems too big).
I’m applying to the Robertson Scholars program for Duke, the Good Neighbor, Great University scholarship for Northwestern, the Trustee Scholarship for BU, etc.
My parents say that they can take care of $30,000 a year for Duke, but I know it would be a burden. There’s also such a small chance that I even get in, so I want to be prepared for either decision.
I just wish I could’ve gone to college for free like my sister ?. This would be much easier.
@PikachuRocks15 Thank you so much. There actually is a scholarship portal for my school system. I just finished my application and am waiting for my GC to send in my transcript. I’m hoping that connects me to more scholarship opportunities. When you say local scholarships, do you mean scholarships offered by local universities?
@riverandsasha3 No, I mean any scholarship that is only offered to students in your city or state, such as your school’s own scholarships, scholarships offered by a local bank, volunteer organization etc.
Just keep in mind that most of those local scholarships are for one year only, and are not renewable.
You need to have a financial plan that works for all four years of college.
@riverandsasha3 All of the scholarships you have listed are EXTREMELY COMPETITIVE (and in Northwestern’s case, you do not apply for the Great University scholarship as it is based on financial need,) so do not count on any of them as being anything but a pleasant surprise (this is especially true for the Robertson Scholarship, as students around the world apply to it.) If you would REQUIRE one of these merit scholarships in-order to attend, I would recommend that you do not apply ED (as @thumper1 says,) and apply RD in-order to compare financial aid packages.
Also note that though most selective schools do not offer many high-amount merit scholarships, most of the T20s DO meet your full demonstrated need (with or without loans: check the financial aid website for specifics,) so make sure to run the financial aid calculators on their website.
As an example, here’s a link to Brown’s FA calculators (where I attend: financialaid.brown.edu)
Hope this helps!
@PikachuRocks15 Interesting. I’ve never seen anything around, but I’ll make sure to research it more.
@thumper1 @PikachuRocks15 My main reasons for applying ED to Duke are that I love the school, the engineering program, and also the acceptance rate. I know the acceptance rate apect should not play a large role, if any, in my decision to apply ED, but it is my dream school. Also, I heard Duke kind of looks at sibling legacy, and I feel like that would be more of a boost as an ED applicant.
Be aware that for some schools outside scholarships can reduce your need based aid.
@riverandsasha3 Unfortunately most of the National Merit full-ride/full-tuition scholarships are at large public schools in the South, but USC does offer a half-tuition merit scholarship (though has a 15% acceptance rate and is definitely a reach school, and is still 45-50K unless you get financial aid as well) and I think Fordham University and the University of Maine offer full-tuition scholarships (though it is competitive at Fordham and not guaranteed I believe.) A google search should bring up a list of some of the NM schools.
Many states have regional exchanges with other states, making it more affordable to attend an out of state school. A quick google search finds that Illinois is a part of the Midwest Student Exchange Program, so it’s worth taking a look at it to see if any of the schools on the list are ones you would be interested in.
Link: https://msep.mhec.org/
I will also add that UIUC is an AMAZING school, especially at in-state prices, and is likely your best chance at a COA below 30K w/o going to a NM scholarship school, unless you receive a major merit scholarship (which is again very competitive, especially at highly selective schools like Northwestern and Duke, so don’t count on it as anything but a pleasant surprise.)
Hope this helps! 
@momofsenior1 I didn’t know this. I do think that the scholarships I’m applying for would cover more than financial aid, though. Would they still affect me negatively if that were the case?
Getting accepted doesn’t matter if you can’t afford it. Run the NPC, as you, or anybody shouldn’t count on the Robertson. I have a better chance of getting struck by lightening. Why waste your ED to a school if you can’t afford it?
Look careful at the financial aid sites of the schools you are applying to. You want to research if the schools allow stacking of outside scholarships. Many schools feel like if you have outside awards, that your need decreases.
I have no idea if that’s the case a Duke. Hopefully a more knowledgeable poster will chime in.
@riverandsasha3 (is your username from Warriors btw?) I highly agree with what @thumper1 and @momofsenior1 both said, and also note that while in Duke’s case there is a definite advantage to applying ED, ED acceptance rates tend to be skewed up at most schools due to legacies, recruited athletes applying ED. If you’re going to apply ED, you should make sure that ALL of the following are true:
Hope this helps!
@CottonTales My parents told me they could afford it. $30,000 per year will be difficult, but I don’t think it will be devastating for them.
Any outside scholarship you receive MUST be reported to your college. In most cases, these outside scholarships will reduce your need based aid, usually starting with self help things like loans and work study.
A small number of colleges will allow you to stack awards up to the cost of attendance.
For need based aid purposes, schools will expect your family to pay the calculated net cost that the school determines they should pay. So…if Duke is expecting you to pay $30,000…plan to pay…$30,000. Your outside scholarships will reduce your need based aid from Duke.
I’m going to be very candid. You need to drop the “Dream school” thing. It’s fine to have a first choice college…but elevating it to some dream status just serves no point.
You have great stats, and your chances of getting accepted RD aren’t that much lower than ED. Remember that in that ED group are developmental admits, athletes, and the like.
How did your sibling pay for Duke? Was it a financial hardship for your family? Have your family finances been affected by the Covid situation?
I will add…are your parents divorced? Do they own a business or are either of them self employed? Do they own real estate in addition to your primary residence? If yes to any of these, the net price calculator is likely not going to be accurate.
Also, when did you do the net price calculator? Hoping it was after it was updated for fall 2021 freshmen.
Please, please consider your parent family finances. Please don’t apply to Duke and then guilt your parents into paying more than they say they can pay. Please don’t do that.
If your parents are prepared to pay the net costs of Duke as calculated by Duke…for all four years…then fine…do ED. But if finances are a consideration, I’m sorry, I have to suggest you reconsider applying ED.