<p>Well I strongly recommend combing your local area, state for ANY scholarships. Yes, it takes some work - letters of recommnedations, essays. But once you win one - figure out your hourly wage! If you win a $500 scholarship and spend 5 hours on it (and likely a bit less) you’ve just made $100 an hour!</p>
<p>My D won several - as little as $200, as much as $2000 each year for 4 years - these are in addition to the merit aid through her college. One of the local scholarships tells the kids to resubmit after the first year they won - my D did and the 2nd and 3rd year they even INCREASED their award!</p>
<p>Check out local credit unions, unions if a parent belongs, service clubs, school district foundations, your local community foundation, local newspaper, etc. </p>
<p>The deal I have with my kids is that their job is to check the scholarship board in the guidance counselors office . I look online and everywhere for other opportunities. I keep a calendar of when things are due and they complete the work to get it ready - filling out stuff, getting recommendations (you can often use recs more than once - ask for a few signed copies when you get them from a teacher), and of course any questions/essays. I will help if needed, getting them mailed at the post office.</p>
<p>Don’t stop once you get in college either. One credit union offered a scholarship my D didn’t get during her senior year. She reapplied for her sophomore year and received $1000!</p>
<p>I promise, after you win one, you will find it all worth it. :)</p>