<p>This post is making me crazy. My son is a college freshman. I expressly told him not to apply for outside scholarships because we could afford to handle his tuition. In my old fashioned mind it is morally questionable to apply for scholarships if doing so is taking money away from someone who really needs it to attend college.</p>
<p>Maybe. But if a person receives merit aid, it's because they deserve it.</p>
<p>Ariana, agreed. Merit aid is a different matter. The OP says "where should I start the search" so I assumed that she was not offered merit aid from the school she wants to attend and that she was asking about outside scholarships....</p>
<p>My parents would get mad at me if I applied for many outside scholarships because they could afford my tuition. I applied for a few essay ones, but I didn't really work hard on them, they were just through my school anyways, the biggest reason I applied for them was because if I did win, I could take off some of the burden for tuition now, and use it for something like an apartment or other housing later. I also work during the summers, so I pay for most of my 'superfluous' activities (movies, music, clothes)</p>
<p>I really don't see a problem with applying for a couple scholarships, but don't apply to 20 or something, cause that would really take away money from some who do really need it.</p>
<p>She's a junior and hasn't applied anywhere yet, so she hasn't had the chance to receive any kinf of scholarships yet. But now I see the point you were trying to make.</p>
<p>seriously, get a job. rich kids need to learn that things in life doesn't come free all the time.</p>
<p>Will everyone stop picking on the OP! He asks a question and all he gets are your melodramtic and irrelevant notions of right and wrong. He wants money, and if he wins scholarships, he justly deserves it, even if it is pocketed profit.</p>
<p>^ thanks.
even though i'm a she. </p>
<p>and quickflood, i did have a job, but my family wanted me to focus on academics & still be able to have free time. </p>
<p>i'd go into detail about how i'm not that spoiled, but this isn't the place, so if you wanna start an 'i hate people who are well off' forum, go for it and let me know.</p>
<p>^ I think I'm just like you. My parents can afford my college experience, and I am completely appreciative of it. But I would like to lighten the load on thier finances and earn a bit myself. </p>
<p>So don't worry. Apply to scholarships. Obviously we aren't applying to the ones for people with financial need, so earn the money that you work hard for (if ya win it)</p>
<p>Try scholarshipexperts.com. There's a ton of scholarships out there that aren't need-based at all. Usually the providers are looking for people passionate about some subject or field who can write a really inspiring essay about why they care about the topic. Many awards are only for students who work at least part time or are based on the applicant's hobbies, religious affiliation, ethnic background, gender, GPA, test scores, or whatever. </p>
<p>There's some big national awards you can apply for in your junior year of HS, but they are extremely competitive. Most of the good local ones are due in the beginning-middle of the senior year. I'd say you're starting the search at a good time. If you know what you want to major in or make a career out of, it can make a huge difference in what you're offered. Having work experience is definately a bonus in the scholarship decision process (especially if its experience in the field of your major). Community service and leadership in volunteer projects is probably the most common criteria of non-need based scholarship aid. Student government, NHS, club officer - those get a lot of bonus points too.</p>
<p>I just found one and it looks pretty easy.. $1000
<a href="http://www.koreanhero.net/contest/flyer-finalwithgrayborder.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.koreanhero.net/contest/flyer-finalwithgrayborder.pdf</a></p>