Free Money? Sure! Sign me up!

When my grandfather came to this country from Germany in the 1920s, he stepped off the boat in New York and found a dollar bill on the street. Even after he built his business here, he still marveled at the country were there was literally free money to be found. 

Scholarship money is the same. You can find it, but sometimes you have to look.  I have one student this year who has earned $24,000 in scholarships so far this year; enough to pay for her first year of college. 

There are two major scholarship types: 1. From a university or 2. From outside a university. 

From a university

Most universities offer some sort of merit-based scholarship. 

• For some, when you submit a completed application you're automatically enrolled in some/most/all of their scholarships. 
• For others, the university might automatically enroll you into some scholarships but require you to complete a separate application to be considered for their highest ones. 
  

Pro Tip: Many universities will not consider you for their scholarships if you do not apply by the Early Action deadline. This means you have to have all of your information together and submitted in November. If you miss this deadline, the university will not consider you--no matter how qualified you might have been. 

From outside a university

Lots of organizations offer scholarship for rising college freshmen. Each requires its own application packet: application, essay(s), transcript, standardized test scores, letters of recommendation(s), picture of you, portfolio, etc.  

These outside scholarships can range from $200 to  a full ride. Many students apply for only the big scholarships (Gates Foundation, McDonald's Cares, Kohl's, Siemens, National Merit). Many student also feel that applying for the lower amount scholarships ($200 to $1500) is not worth their time.  This is the wrong mindset. 

A student of mine applied for a won a $10,000 scholarship from a competition that accepted 10,000 applicants and only 50 winners. Thats a .005% chance of winning. This means 9,950 people did not win this scholarship.  

However, she also won a $4000 local scholarship that accepted 400 applicants and 40 winners: a 10% chance of winning. While the $10,000 seems like the best one to apply for, the chances are actually so much stronger for the lesser amounts.  Don't skip those as they add up quickly. 

How to find outside scholarship money

Finding outside money does require some effort on your part. You'll need to scour all of your resources to find ones that apply to you: scholarship books, online sites, etc. Personally, I don't care much for the books (too many choices) or sites (too much of everything). However I do have some tricks I recommend you consider when finding and applying for outside scholarships. :

1. Write a list of every organization you and your parents are members of: sports, civic, religious, employment, volunteer, school, county, state, voting district. Google each of those organizations and see if they offer scholarships. 
2. Starting junior year, look at your high school's scholarship list, which should be posted online or in paper at your college and career center. Take note of which ones you might be available for your senior year. Mark these deadlines on a calendar so you'll be prepared for them next year. 
3. Stockpile a collection of essays. Most scholarships require an essay of some sort. However, if you invest the time early on perfecting three essays--your career goals/aspirations, your greatest passion, a failure you've had--you'll find you'll quickly recycle these essay over and over and over again.
   Pro Tip: create each essay in 300- and 500- word lengths.
4. You'll need letters of recommendation. Find a teacher and someone not from school (coach, pastor, scout leader) who's willing to write you a strong letter of recommendation and then ask if they're willing and able to whip out copies for you throughout the year. Be sure to explain why: You're taking ownership of funding your college education and would greatly appreciate her help by submitting multiple letters.  Be sure to supply the teacher with envelopes and stamps. 
   Pro Tip: Create a brag sheet--combination of resume and anecdotes specific to that recommender--for the writer to work from.
   Pro Pro Tip: Offer to write a draft for the recommender to help save her some trouble. Make it good though, as many writers will use the letter you create.
   Pro Pro Pro Tip: Be sure to write thank you notes and let the letter writers know when you win a scholarship.

If you win a scholarship, you should know two things

1. Most universities require you to submit a form telling them about the scholarship. 
2. Many universities will reduce your financial aid award amount for each scholarship you win.