Finding Third Party Scholarships

Start Early

Begin your scholarship search early, ideally during your junior year of high school. Some scholarships have early application deadlines.

Look Local

Look for scholarships offered by local civic organizations, foundations, and community groups. These scholarships may have fewer applicants and higher chances of winning. Your school's guidance counselor or college/career center can often provide information on local opportunities. That being said, make sure that you do apply for Local and National Awards. While local scholarships may have less competition, national scholarships often offer larger awards.

Use Scholarship Search Engines

Utilize scholarship search engines and databases. Websites like Fastweb, Scholarships.com, Cappex, and Niche can help you discover scholarships that match your profile.

Narrow Your Focus + Read Eligibility Criteria Carefully

Target scholarships that align with your unique qualities, such as your major, career goals, hobbies, or heritage. This can increase your chances of winning awards that are specifically tailored to you. Ensure you meet all the eligibility requirements for each scholarship you apply to. Don't waste time on scholarships for which you don't qualify.

Organize and Prioritize

Stay Organized. Keep track of deadlines, follow-up on your applications, and ensure that all required materials are submitted on time. Create a spreadsheet or document to track scholarships you find. Include details like application deadlines, requirements, and submission instructions. Prioritize scholarships based on deadlines.

Apply for Many Scholarships

Apply for as many scholarships as possible for which you are eligible. It's a numbers game, and the more you apply for, the higher your chances of securing some funding. Stay Persistent and don't get discouraged by rejection. Keep applying for scholarships, even if you face initial setbacks.

That’s all for now folks. Talk soon!

-Veronica