Hello if anyone could reply to this that would be great. Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, my family as well as many other families have been affected financially. What are some good scholarships that are open to Seniors (class of 2021) that are applying to college? How should someone look at scholarships to decide on which ones are the best ones to apply to? Good luck to everyone that is applying to colleges!
1 Like
This is a tool developed by the U.S. Department of Labor. It’s a good scholarship search tool: Scholarship Finder | CareerOneStop.
3 Likes
The best scholarships come from the schools directly. Some schools will also reduce institutional aid if you have outside scholarships and will not stack scholarships. Do your due diligence for each school on your list.
3 Likes
Far and away the most scholarships come from schools themselves. Look at currently affordable schools…what can/will your family pay each year for college?
When looking for outside scholarships, it may help to keep in mind the following points. Make sure to look on each college website to understand their policies with regard to outside scholarships:
-
Many scholarship applications require a significant time investment, are highly competitive, for relatively small amounts, and are not renewable for four years. Depending on the gap you need to close, a one time $500 award may not be very helpful. See if your HS GC has a list of local scholarships.
-
Some schools require outside scholarships be paid directly to the school
-
Many schools require notification of any outside scholarships, even if one doesn’t have to directly turn the money over to the school
-
Many schools will reduce one’s financial need on a dollar for dollar basis in the amount of any awarded outside scholarships. Some schools will reduce/eliminate work study and/or loan requirement first (still a benefit)…the point is to make sure you will benefit if you earn outside scholarships…they are a lot of work for potentially no/limited benefit.
-
Some schools will ‘stack’ scholarships, and will not reduce one’s FA package for any awarded outside scholarships.
2 Likes
Sorry you and your family are having a hard time.
Getting scholarships can be really difficult. The best ones require a lot of thought. There are quite a few scholarships that are easier to get, but the odds aren’t much better than a lottery.
This is a basic rundown of how you can approach the hunt for scholarships: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college/articles/how-to-find-and-secure-scholarships-for-college
I suggest you look up some of the very useful threads by a user named @CourtneyThurston who had great success getting scholarships and graduated debt free, if I recall. I’m not sure she’s still active her onnCC, but her threads are definitely worth reading.
2 Likes
Thank you!
Thank you.
Thank you!!
I wonder if there are any scholarships for children of essential workers. My mom is actually frustrated because I’m in Michigan and our governor is giving free college for essential workers but it would be cool if I can utilize those funds.
The Michigan scholarships are just for the workers, so you wouldn’t be able to use your mom’s. Here is a link to the State of Michigan scholarships: Students and Families